The great crossing of the Belgian Ardennes — La Transardennaise

Created in 1980, ‘La Transardennaise’ is the very first major hiking route through the Ardennes. It runs from east to west, linking La Roche-en-Ardenne to Bouillon. Considered one of the most beautiful hiking routes in Belgium, the Transardennaise crosses the forests of the gorgeous Ardennes, the splendid valleys of the Lesse, Ourthe and Semois, and the enchanting landscapes of Belgian Luxembourg.

This walk in the country of woods, hunting and rivers will also let you taste the specialities of the region. From the famous Saint-Hubert sausage, to the trout of the Haute Lesse or the Ardenne ham, there are so many little treats to sample.

I’ve divided the route into seven stages of 20 to 30 kilometres (12.4 – 18.6 mi) each. As far as logistics are concerned, as this hike isn’t a loop, you’ll have to organise yourself a little. If you come by train, you can get off at Marloie or Melreux station, and then take a bus to La Roche-en-Ardenne (line 15 from Marloie, and line 13 from Melreux).

Train timetable here: belgiantrain.be/en
Bus timetable here: letec.be/#

If you come by car, the easiest way is to have someone drop you off at the start of the hike in La Roche-en-Ardenne, and pick you up at the end, in Bouillon. Another possibility is to leave your car at La Roche-en-Ardenne. But in this case, you’ll have to be patient on the way back with a three-hour journey by public transport to get back to your starting point. You’ll have to take a bus to Libramont, then a train from Libramont to Marloie, and a last bus from Marloie to La Roche-en-Ardenne.

Take good hiking shoes, water and snacks with you, as you may be hiking in the wilderness for a whole day. The summer season is the best time of the year to do this route thanks to the warmth and long days. I don’t recommend this hike in autumn, as many forest trails are closed due to hunting. Note that in Belgium, hiking in the summer does not protect you from rainy days; a rain jacket is a must here, whatever the season!

For accommodation, camping is a great option. At the end of most of the stages you’ll find some Airbnb or gîtes but they will be few and far between and, on some stages, camping will be your only option.

Enjoy the paths of the Ardennes!