Anderlues to Couvin via Chimay

Route overview

Suits riders comfortable with 75 km and modest climbing, as 476 m of gain spread over rolling terrain keeps the effort steady rather than severe.

A 75.5 km point-to-point across southern Wallonia from Fontaine-l'Évêque and Anderlues through Beaumont and Chimay towards Couvin, with 476 m of climbing.

The route starts in Fontaine-l'Évêque, passing Les Mays and Leernes in the first kilometre before reaching Anderlues at 3.5 km. From there it runs south through Ansuelle and Mont-Sainte-Geneviève to Lobbes at 12.4 km and Thuin, where the low point of the ride is reached at 125 m around km 13.5. The middle section strings together villages on rolling ground: Biesme-sous-Thuin, Thuillies, Donstiennes and Strée, then Beaumont at 31.2 km, the main halt of the first half with cafés, restaurants and drinking water. Beyond Beaumont come Solre-Saint-Géry, Sivry-Gare, Sautin, Rance and Froidchapelle, with just over half the total climbing already done by the midpoint. After Robechies and Saint-Remy the route enters Chimay at 61.4 km, the largest town on the second half. The final stretch runs through Bourlers, Baileux and Boutonville to Gonrieux, then tackles the one graded climb of the day: 1.3 km at 4.7% from km 72.4, with a maximum of 8.1%, topping out at 302 m near Presgaux at km 73.7 — the high point of the ride, close to the finish.

Highlights

• Chimay at 61.4 km, with the widest choice of places to stop
• Beaumont at 31.2 km: cafés, restaurants and drinking water
• Final climb: 1.3 km at 4.7%, max 8.1%, topping out at 302 m
• High point of 302 m near Presgaux, 1.8 km from the end

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Point to point

Riding time

4–5½ hours riding

Know before you go

• Roughly 22 km between the fuel stop at km 38.8 and Chimay with no café or water listed
• The steepest ramp, at 8.1%, comes after 72 km of riding
• Recorded at 24°C in September; carry water for the long middle section

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.