Soulme between the Hermeton Valley and Village History

Soulme combines its designation as one of Wallonia’s most beautiful villages with an exceptional landscape along the Hermeton. Anyone wishing to combine nature, hiking and traces of history during their holiday will find a place here with a clearly distinctive character. The village is therefore an ideal base for varied days out: on one day, the valley may be the main focus, while on another, it may be the church, former extraction sites or the protected Moulin de Soulme.

The Hermeton Valley as a Defining Landscape Experience

Starting from Soulme, you can follow the Hermeton through an exceptional natural landscape. A winding, wild river flows through the valley, while the steep slopes are completely covered with woodland. The landscape is further enhanced by its special protected status: the Hermeton Valley has been included in the Natura 2000 network because of its high landscape, geological and biological value.

The largely unspoilt character of the valley is particularly impressive. It is one of the last remaining untouched valleys and is entirely free of roads and other structures. For your travel planning, this means that nature here is not merely the backdrop to an excursion but defines the experience itself. If you are looking for accommodation in Soulme, this focus on the landscape may be an important factor when choosing your holiday destination.

Hiking Trails between Soulme and Vodelée

The Grande randonnée Soulme circular hiking trail starts at Sainte-Colombe Church on Rue Sainte-Colombe in 5690 Soulme. This brings together two sides of the destination in Soulme: a historic landmark and the starting point for a hike. In addition, a walking route connects Soulme with Vodelée through a natural landscape of rivers, meadows and forests along the Hermeton.

These two options offer a range of ways to plan your days without having to commit to a single holiday theme. Those travelling with several generations can alternate between interests in nature and culture: one day may follow the Hermeton, while another focuses on the history of the village and its monuments. When looking for a holiday apartment, the desired type of trip is therefore the main consideration: should Soulme primarily serve as a base for hikes, or as a place where the landscape and local history can be discovered together?

Church, Marble and the History of the Village

Sainte-Colombe Church has a tower dating from the 11th to 12th century and is a protected monument. Its importance therefore lies not only in its role as the starting point for the circular hiking trail, but also in the long history visible in the village landscape. Coral limestone was also quarried locally in Soulme between the 18th century and 1968.

Further traces of the area’s history of local use can be found at the Soulme marble sawmill. It was a former extraction site associated with pink marble. The Moulin de Soulme is also part of the protected cultural heritage: together with its associated land and water-management structures, it is a protected monument. Places like these add an extra dimension to a stay in Soulme, especially if you want not only to hike but also to understand the development of the village and its landscape.

Choosing Soulme as a Holiday Destination

When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore first determine the focus of your trip. Nature lovers can use Soulme as a base on the Hermeton, while travellers interested in culture can include the monuments and history of the village. Families can combine the interests of their fellow travellers without every holiday day having to look the same. For further destinations in the same region, you can also find Mettet, Temploux, Vresse-Sur-Semois, Méan, Cerfontaine, Goesnes, Barvaux-Condroz and Vodelée.

For the broader travel overview: Names.