genappe Genappe

Getting there

  1. Take the Ring towards Waterloo.
  2. Take exit 25 for Genappe/Waterloo/Braine l'Alleud/Butte de Lion.
  3. Follow signs for Genappe.
  4. Once there is a sign to turn right into Genappe centre, Do NOT DO IT (unless you want to visit the tourist office).
  5. INSTEAD, continue straight and take left at the next red light, where you find signs going left for Villers-la-Ville and in particular Baisy Thy, where the starting point is.
  6. Follow the signs. Place d'Hattain will be your right after a couple of speed bumps, in the form of a biggish parking lot.
  7. The first signs you find in the street running between the buildings next to the parking lot.

Genappe commune prides so far only with one mountain bike loop. Its starting point is actually in neighbouring tiny village of Baisy Thy, but you'd have to visit Genappe centre itself to pick up the overview brochure of this 25k-long trail from the friendly people at the Genappe Tourist Office (Syndicat d'Initiative).

NB. Always try to encourage the effort made: Buy the trail map and help finance mountain biking in the area!

We rode this trail for the first time in June 2005, and while we were amazed by its technicality, by plenty of sand and loose stones, gullied dirt tracks, awesome singletrack sections and some very enjoyable descents, we have to give the following warnings:

  1. Just as for the Braine l'Alleud trails, you need at least ten days of really dry weather, to not experience a complete mud bath.
  2. Signage is really B-A-D. No matter how friendly the people are at the Genappe tourist office, the sketchy map they provide for really is not satisfactory. Bring at least the topographic NGI. It won't help to find the trail, but at least you have the chance of finding your way back to the starting point when you feel tired of going in circles! The best solution there is to fully experience this promising mountain bike loop: bring a guide!

Despite this, the little we saw of our first riding here makes us nevertheless completely convinced that this trail is worth re-visiting. Over and over again, we will crack the nut with the missing signs!