Durnal: Bocq Railway, Ridge and Local History

Durnal lies on a ridge that separates two valleys. You can explore its landscape on foot and by rail: the “Les sentiers oubliés de Durnal” walking route links the Condroz ridges with the Bocq Valley, while the Chemin de Fer du Bocq offers a narrated journey through the valley. Churches, chapels and a memorial add local and commemorative history to the landscape. When choosing a holiday rental in Durnal, you can therefore consider which of these aspects you would like to shape your trip.

Ridges and trails

The route description for “Les sentiers oubliés de Durnal”, updated on 13 August 2024, mentions some little-known paths and municipal connecting routes. It leads from the Condroz ridges into the Bocq Valley, while Durnal itself lies on a ridge between two valleys. This makes the contrast between the elevated terrain and the valley a recurring theme of the walk. If you want to get to know the area on foot, you’ll find a landscape connection here that is quite different from the railway experience.

Travelling on the Bocq Railway

The Chemin de Fer du Bocq offers a narrated excursion through the Bocq Valley on a real train from the 1950s. The typical route towards Yvoir passes the Dorinne-Durnal stop. The Bocq railway line is 21 kilometres long and single-track along its entire length; Dorinne-Durnal is one of the line’s twelve stations, stopping points or stops. Unlike the walking route, here you experience the valley on a narrated train journey. Timetables and operating conditions may change, so check the latest information if you plan to include the journey in your stay.

Churches and places of remembrance

Along the Boulevard section of the walking route, you can see the Church of Saint Hubert in Durnal. Durnal was recognised as a parish in 1846. A lengthy debate centred on whether to extend and improve the existing small chapel or build a new church; the Bishop of Namur prevailed in favour of building a new church.

Square du Souvenir is at the edge of Durnal, on the road towards Crupet. It commemorates French soldiers and English and Australian airmen who were killed in Durnal during the 1940–45 war. The memorial was placed halfway between the site near the village centre where four French soldiers were killed and the crash site of a British aircraft in the woods between Durnal and Crupet.

Another place of remembrance is linked to the Saint Roch Chapel in what is now Rue Bonny d’au Ban. The flower-adorned coffins of three French soldiers were displayed in front of its altar.

If your family has a range of interests, comparing these highlights can help you plan your days: you can consider the train journey, walking route and local history as different experiences. When looking for a holiday rental in Durnal, you can first decide which of them you’d like to shape your days there.

Discover more destinations: Namur, Bièvre, Gesves, Gedinne, Houdremont, Profondeville, Assesse, Ohey.

See the overview of the wider area: Namur.