Historic walls & magical forests – short getaways in the Belgian Ardennes
Hiking Collection by VISITWallonia
15
Tours
64:47 h
135 mi
13,625 ft
Hiking through romantic river valleys, magical forests, and past mystical rock formations, you can let your imagination run wild. The Ardennes in the south of Belgium has a lot to discover: Climb up to viewpoints and ruined castles where history comes alive, explore the stone-cladded streets of quaint towns, and immerse yourself in wonderful nature.
In this Collection, we present 15 circular hikes through endless prairie landscapes and moorlands, over rolling High Fens, and along country lanes steeped in history. You follow rivers such as the Ninglinspo and visit monoliths known for their legends. You ride along the shimmering turquoise water of the Semois River as it meanders through romantic valleys. In the west of the Ardennes, you hike through fairytale forests, spot rattling steam engines, and explore limestone labyrinths.
The Tours in this Collection will also quench your thirst for culture and history. The varied trails lead to well-preserved castles and majestic palaces. In the world-famous book village of Redu, you can browse to your heart’s content in more than 20 antique bookshops. The nature and scenery for which this region is known are also included.
These Tours are a great taster of the region to whet your appetite for the Transardennaise, GR56, or the Way of St. James, long-distance hiking trails through the region. You could also consider the long-distance trail to the three Trappist abbeys in Chimay, Rochefort, and Orval. Either way, we look forward to taking you into the unique world of the Belgian Ardennes. We know from experience that nobody leaves disappointed.
On The Map
Tours & Highlights
- 03:125.97 mi1.9 mph575 ft575 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Villers-la-Ville is a pretty little town in Wallonia in Belgium, best known for its impressive abbey ruins. Magical forests, lush meadows and idyllic wetlands stretch all around - a hike that is good for the soul awaits you.
You start right at the gates of the abbey - it was once one of the largest in…
- 03:257.82 mi2.3 mph575 ft550 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On this hike you will explore the plant sea of the High Vens via picturesque wooden walkways and overlook the unique prairie landscape from the highest point in Belgium.
Your tour starts at the "Signal de Botrange", a 24 meter tower with a fantastic view over the Venn. From there you follow wide wooden…
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- 03:517.10 mi1.8 mph750 ft775 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On this hike you follow the ever-winding river course of the Hoëgne, which develops from a small trickle to a wildly romantic rushing river.
You start on the beautiful Promenade de la Hoëgne and have already arrived in the middle of nature. The Hoëgne meanders through rock-lined banks and keeps flowing…
- 04:519.64 mi2.0 mph375 ft375 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The Battle of Waterloo, which should be the last one that Napoleon led, we all know from our history books. It is brought back to life on this hike from Braine-l’Alleud to Genappe and from Plancenoit to Mont-Saint-Jean.
While you can already see the famous Lion's Hill at the beginning of the tour, you…
- 04:319.65 mi2.1 mph1,300 ft1,350 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Near the ancient-looking village of Nonceveux, the Amel River has washed deep into the rock and drawn a narrow valley. Rushing torrents like the Ninglinspo and Chefna are waiting to be discovered by you.
The magic of the wild Ninglinspo catches you on your first steps. The path winds again and again to…
- 04:2710.3 mi2.3 mph625 ft625 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Not only if you are interested in history, you will like this tour through the wonderful landscape of Bastogne. Terrible history was written around nephew, Bizory and the other villages in the region around the winter of 1944, which you can explore along these paths. By the way, you enjoy the unique…
- 04:508.75 mi1.8 mph1,050 ft1,050 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On this wonderful hike, which leads you deep into the valley of the Warche, you can enjoy unique views of torrents, steep rocks and - as a special highlight - a medieval castle.
Your tour starts in the tranquil Xhoffraix. Large, perfectly cut hedges protect the small town from the harsh weather conditions…
- 04:289.49 mi2.1 mph1,375 ft1,375 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The devil's bed and a gate into the earth lie in the middle of the Belgian Ardennes. The legendary hike takes you into mystical forests and tranquil villages.
Your tour starts in Wéris - one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia. Wide dirt roads take you to the legendary stone "Lit du Diable", the…
- 05:068.37 mi1.6 mph750 ft775 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Mysterious nature and loneliness in one of the wildest areas of Belgium await you on this hike along the idyllic reservoir of Nisramont.
You start your adventurous hike at the Barrage de Nisramont - a dam that has been damaging the Ourthe River for over 60 years. A rocky path takes you to the top and…
- 04:268.43 mi1.9 mph650 ft650 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The Lesse ripples softly through fairytale forests, while you follow its course on a large part of this tour through the natural Ardennes.
You start your hike in the world-famous Book Village Redu. If one were to line up all the shelves of the village's over 20 antiquarian bookshops, the result would…
- 05:3312.2 mi2.2 mph1,425 ft1,400 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Endless appearing fairytale forests and lush greenery characterize this tour through the valley of the Masblette - an ode to the wilderness.
In the north of Saint-Hubert, your tour begins in the adventurous landscape of the Ardennes. After just a few kilometers you will find the La Transardennaise long…
- 03:168.53 mi2.6 mph1,350 ft1,275 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The Ardennes are characterized by their magical rivers that wind through the landscape. With the Semois you get to know another of these rivers, which has created a picturesque backdrop around Bouillon.
Your tour starts at Bellevue de Botassart with a real highlight. The panoramic view is a great preview…
- 03:247.09 mi2.1 mph825 ft1,025 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Pure nature awaits you on this tour along the turns of the Semois and through rugged, moss-covered rocks. An ideal place for wildlife encounters far from civilization.
The romantic place Rochehaut is the starting point of your tour. No sooner have you left the typical stone-decorated houses behind you…
- 04:1511.9 mi2.8 mph1,150 ft1,175 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Wallonia is famous for its majestic castles and ancient villages. On this tour you hike through the valley of the Lesse and some of the most beautiful places that can only be surpassed by a truly fairytale castle.
The starting point of your hike is one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia: Celles…
- 05:129.72 mi1.9 mph900 ft900 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
At Nismes, in the western part of the Ardennes, a special landscape is waiting to be discovered by you - a limestone plateau that enchants with Mediterranean flair and impressively shaped gorges. With a little luck, you can even see a rattling steam train.
It starts in the medieval-looking Nismes in southern…
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Collection Stats
- Tours15
- Distance135 mi
- Duration64:47 h
- Elevation13,625 ft
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