The Flemish Ardennes is a popular hiking and cycling region. However, it is striking how the focus is on cycling recreation. Beautiful cycle paths, cycle highways. There has clearly been investment in infrastructure. However, it is also striking that many single track paths are very neglected, despite the fact that they are part of the GR network. This does not mean that they need to be paved or paved, unpaved certainly has its charm, but we have walked paths that were still difficult to walk on. Caught between two private properties, neither owner seems to need to maintain their edge vegetation. Overgrown hedges, fallen trees and torn branches block the easy passage, making it unusable for the less mobile or fit walker. On another path, which was once partly paved with the well-known cobblestones from the region, subsidence is causing downright dangerous situations. We, experienced hikers, know how to navigate our way over and around them, but our four-legged friend 🐶 can't just be told which way is best to avoid these dangers.
On the other hand, this also has its advantages: these are the paths where you don't have to pay attention to avoid the horse droppings😉