The Bocq Railway: autumn rolls by at thirty kilometers an hour
There is a way to experience autumn that simply cannot be contrived: sitting on a worn, carpeted bench seat, your cheek pressed against a cool windowpane, as a wooded valley drifts by at thirty kilometers per hour—no faster. Just the right pace to watch the leaves change color from one bend in the track to the next.
A short half-hour from the Bungalows du Bonsoy, between Spontin and Bauche, lies a railway line that everyone thought was dead—yet it still breathes. It is known as Line 128. For over forty years, a handful of volunteers have kept it alive, carrying out repairs, operating the trains, and providing commentary along the way. In 2026, following two years of construction, the line regained what it had once lost: a connection to the Ciney station, and a station at Bauche brought back to life after sixty years of silence.
Come aboard with us. Here is what you need to know before booking, what you’ll see from the window, and how to turn this journey into an autumn day you won’t soon forget.
A railway line saved twice over
Line 128 connects Ciney to Yvoir, following the Bocq Valley for much of its route—a quiet river that winds its way through the plateaus of the Condroz region before joining the Meuse. Originally built to serve quarries, paper mills, and local villages, the line eventually met the same fate as many other rural Belgian railways: decline, followed by abandonment.
It could have ended up as a walking trail. But that was without reckoning with the non-profit organization Patrimoine Ferroviaire et Tourisme (PFT-TSP)—a group composed entirely of volunteers—which took over the line, reopened the stations one by one, restored railcars from the 1950s, and brought locomotives as old as our own grandparents back into working order.
Every journey features commentary provided by the association’s volunteers. They aren’t professional tour guides; rather, they are enthusiasts who know every curve of the line and every bolt on the engine. You can hear it in their words, and that is precisely what gives the journey its charm.
The second rescue effort is very recent. Two years of work, supported by the Walloon region, culminated in 2026 with the reconstruction of the Évrehailles-Bauche station—complete with a central platform and a second track—the transformation of the Spontin station, and, most importantly, the restoration of the rail connection into Ciney station. This means that, on certain days, it is now possible to arrive by an SNCB (national railway) train and transfer directly onto a historic train.
What you see from the window
The typical journey lasts about an hour and a half and takes place in two stages, departing from Spontin.
Towards Ciney: the Condroz plateau
The first section heads east, passing through Senenne, Sovet, Braibant, and Halloy. This is the Condroz in its most expansive form: open fields, limestone farmhouses set in the middle of nowhere, hawthorn hedges turning red in October, and that low-angled late-season light that gives the harvested wheat a coppery hue. You can often spot roe deer along the edges of the woods.
Towards Bauche: the valley narrows
The second, more spectacular section heads back west, passing through Dorinne-Durnal, Purnode, and Évrehailles-Bauche. Here, the landscape closes in. The track descends into a narrow, wooded valley, runs alongside the Bocq river, crosses various structures, and slips beneath hillsides blanketed in beech and oak trees. In autumn, it becomes a tunnel of copper and gold. The train slows down, windows are opened, and you can hear the sound of the water.
Good to know: your ticket is valid all day long, and you are welcome to hop off and on along the way. Feel free to get off at Purnode or Bauche, enjoy an hour-long walk by the river, and then catch the next train. It is, by far, the best way to make the most of your ticket.
All aboard: 2026 timetables and fares
Tourist trains run on weekends during the autumn, with the number of departures varying by date. Trains depart from Spontin station (and from Ciney on certain days).
- Days with one train in operation: departures from Spontin at 11:00, 13:00, and 15:00.
- Days with two trains in operation: departures from Spontin every hour, from approximately 11:00 to 17:00.
- Days featuring a steam locomotive: the steam engine operates the 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, and 17:30 services toward Bauche.
The specific schedule—along with the “color of the day,” which determines the number of trains running—is published on the official website. Please check it before you set off, as departure times are subject to change.
| Ticket | Adult (12+ years) | Child (4–11 years) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 train running | €16.00 | €8.00 |
| 2 trains running | €18.00 | €9.00 |
| 2 trains running (including one steam train) | €19.25 | €9.50 |
| Children up to 3 years old | Free | Free |
These rates apply to online bookings, which offer better value than purchasing tickets on-site; a 6% booking fee applies. Dogs are welcome free of charge, provided they are kept on a leash. The trains do not have onboard restrooms, but free facilities are available at Spontin station, where you will also find ample free parking.
Trains that are out of the ordinary
Beyond the regular train services, the association organizes a few special events that are well worth marking on your calendar.
Le Bocq Gourmand — Autumn Flavors
This is arguably the finest idea for the late-season period. On Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, 2026, a MITROPA dining car and a HALBERTSTADT bar car—pulled by two locomotives—will travel between Bauche, Spontin, and Ciney, while a three-course meal featuring autumn flavors is served to you on board. Guests are welcomed starting at 12:30 PM, with departure at 1:00 PM; the journey lasts approximately three hours. The train is air-conditioned, the tables are set with white linens, and the colors of the valley unfold outside the window.
The cost is €99 per person; reservations are required, and space is limited—accommodating between 28 and 42 participants. As the dining car is configured with tables for two and four, bookings should generally be made in multiples of two.
The Hike-and-Train (Rando-Train)
An option we’re particularly fond of: a 10 km guided hike between Spontin and Bauche through a wooded valley, with a return trip aboard a vintage 1950s railcar. It lasts about four hours and costs €22; reservations are required. Combining hiking and rail travel in a single day—it’s hard to get more “slow tourism” than that.
And, later on, the Saint Nicholas train
For families extending their stay until the first cold snap, the association also runs a Saint Nicholas-themed train. The dates are announced on the official website.
Spontin Castle, just a stone’s throw from the platform
Since you are in Spontin, don’t leave without casting your gaze toward the castle. Surrounded by a water-filled moat, it is one of the best-preserved medieval fortified castles in Belgium, featuring slate-roofed towers and the appearance of a fortress resting within a mirror.
The Bocq Railway offers a combined ticket: when booking your train journey online, simply add a visit to the castle under the “Upgrade your experience” step to enjoy a 10% discount on admission. It’s the kind of detail that turns a simple excursion into a full day out.
Our itinerary for a day in the Bocq Valley
- Morning — Depart from Le Bonsoy around 9:30 a.m. The drive takes about 30 minutes via Dinant and Yvoir. Upon arrival in Spontin, you’ll find free parking and a café on the platform—plenty of time to admire the restored station before the 11:00 a.m. departure.
- Midday — Return to Spontin around 12:30 p.m. Enjoy a picnic on-site (weather permitting) or grab a table at one of the village’s eateries. Afterward, take a tour of Spontin Castle and its surrounding moats.
- Afternoon — A second departure is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.; this time, hop off at Purnode or Bauche—your ticket remains valid. Take an hour-long walk along the Bocq river, crunching through the fallen leaves, then catch the next train back.
- Evening — On your way back, make a quick detour to Crupet to see its keep, which sits right on the water—just a few minutes away. Finally, return to Le Bonsoy, light a fire, and enjoy the peaceful silence of the Meuse Valley as the day comes to a close.
Practical Information
- Name: Le Chemin de Fer du Bocq (Bocq Railway) — Line 128 (operated by the non-profit organization Patrimoine Ferroviaire et Tourisme)
- Departure Point: Spontin Station, Chaussée de Dinant 3A, 5530 Spontin (Yvoir)
- Telephone: +32 (0)82 86 04 20
- Email: info@cfbocq.be
- Website: www.cfbocq.be
- Trip Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes — ticket valid for the entire day
- 2026 Fares: €16.00 to €19.25 (adults) and €8.00 to €9.50 (ages 4–11); free for children under 3
- “Bocq Gourmand” — Autumn Flavors: October 24 and 25, 2026; €99 per person; arrival/welcome at 12:30 PM, departure at 1:00 PM
- Parking: Free and spacious parking available at Spontin Station
- Accessibility: Portable access ramps available; please contact the organization in advance
- Distance from Domaine du Bonsoy: Approximately a 30-minute drive, via Dinant and Yvoir
Extend your excursion
The Bocq Valley is just one of the valleys surrounding Bonsoy. If you enjoyed it, you might also like the Molignée Valley—which you can explore by railbike—or the ruins of Poilvache, which overlook the Meuse River just a few kilometers from Spontin. For a more urban outing, Bouvignes and its Museum of Medieval Mosan Heritage are excellent places to visit, even in the rain. If you are visiting in October, the Namur Nature Festival and the deer-rutting season make for perfect additions to your trip. Finally, a look at the wooden molds used for *couques de Dinant* (traditional honey biscuits) reveals the region’s deep appreciation for artisanal crafts—traditions it is determined to keep alive.
Sources
- Chemin de Fer du Bocq — Tourist Trains 2026: Fares and Routes
- Chemin de Fer du Bocq — 2026 Timetables and Types of Services
- Chemin de Fer du Bocq — Bocq Gourmand: Autumn Flavors
- Chemin de Fer du Bocq — Rando-Train (Hiking & Train) 2026
Information verified as of September 2026. Since schedules and prices are subject to change, we recommend checking the official website before your departure.
How about staying just twenty minutes from the valley?
A day spent traveling by train, walking, and breathing in the crisp, cold air calls for a cozy evening indoors. The Woody Lodge—with its light-toned wood and chalet-like atmosphere—was designed precisely for moments like these: when you kick off your boots by the door, put the kettle on, and simply settle in to do nothing at all.
Our three bungalows at the Domaine du Bonsoy welcome guests year-round in Hastière, nestled between the Meuse River and the Ardennes. Check our availability and book your autumn getaway—the most stunning colors in the Bocq Valley only last for a few short weeks.
