The Amblève has its source in the Ardennes between Hepscheid (commune of Amblève) and Honsfeld (commune of Bullange), on the borders of the Hautes Fagnes - Eifel natural park, at an altitude of around 600 meters. It is then called Amel since it flows in the German-speaking Community of Belgium. It is generally oriented towards the west.
After having completed most of its course in the Ardennes, it briefly crosses the limestone strip of Calestienne at Remouchamps before entering eastern Condroz to its confluence with the Ourthe at Douxflamme near Comblain-au-Pont.
The Amblève flows into the right bank of the Ourthe, dividing its course into three arms.
In most of its course, the Amblève has dug a deep valley whose often steep slopes are hardly suitable for agriculture and are often covered with forests. In its lower course, in Condroz, the rock is or has been exploited in the quarries of Belle-Roche, Chambralles or Raborive.