It’s a magnificent walk at the heart of the Elsenborn and Rocherarth Forests that takes you to a unique scenic overlook in Belgium: the incredible Bieley Bluff.  With its 560 m altitude, it’s the highest rock formation in the country.

Ready to go on an adventure? Then set off on a beautiful hike! The destination? An incredible site: Bieley Bluff. From here, the view over the Fens Plateau is absolutely sublime and shows you a postcard landscape. Marvel before this picture perfect countryside, nuances of colour, shimmering little river, dense forests… The scenery is straight out of a fairy-tale or the Lord of the Rings. Naturally, you have to walk far to get there (around 12 km) but you won’t be disappointed when you do, we promise!

At the heart of the Eastern cantons

Bieley Bluff is in Elsenborn in Belgium, but its particularity is that you can only get there through… Germany!  Why? The rock formation is in a military red zone (the Elsenborn military base) which is not accessible to the public. Getting there is therefore a little journey in itself. Here, from the confines of Belgium, you can cross the border easily. Your route will take you over the Belgian-German border (be aware, the crossing is sometimes shut for security reasons because of military manoeuvres) before continuing the walk in the heart of Elsenborn Forest to finally reach the famous Bieley Bluff. It’s waiting for you, proudly standing in the middle, overlooking the Perlenbach Valley. Take a breath, admire and feast your eyes…

This cross-border walk is not signposted, but you can enter the GPS coordinates: 50°28’05.2 ″N 6° 18’07.1 ″E. Dogs are allowed on the lead. The route is suitable for children but not for pushchairs or people with reduced mobility.

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Get ready to experience a multitude of dizzying sensations! Give your taste buds a thrill at the panoramic restaurant and head up into the trees on the Accropark’s high rope courses.

Would you like to admire the dam and surrounding views from a height? Climb aboard one of the two glass lifts and enjoy the 360° view from the top of the tower. An incredible sensation! Up high, a panoramic restaurant perched at an altitude of 77 metres offers an extraordinary sensory experience. A veritable feast for your eyes and your taste buds. If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, the Burger Bar offers relaxed family dining with a conveniently located playground alongside it. The ideal place to enjoy a locally sourced beef burger and fries, with the grown-ups sitting in comfort while the little ones enjoy a run-around.

Adrenaline rush

If you like your activities a little more energetic, you will love the Accropark and its treetop rope courses, where you can cross monkey bridges and whizz down zip lines. The courses are accessible to adults, teenagers and children from 1.3 m tall. Everybody’s happy! You can also explore this beautiful region on scooters or electric bikes, weaving your way through the countryside or by following one of the many signposted forest trails. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or you love the good life, you are sure to find something to enjoy at Gileppe Dam!

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It’s a magical, enchanting place at the heart of the High Fens. Bayehon Waterfall is the second-largest waterfall in the country after Coo Waterfall. Albeit less well known that Coo, it’s really worth the detour with its red water and Instagrammable landscape!

Situated near the village of Longfaye, in the municipality of Malmedy, Bayehon Waterfall, whose source is by Botrange, is 9 metres high. If the locals are very proud of it, it’s because not only is it the highest waterfall in the Ardennes region, it’s also the most beautiful. And it’s no doubt the most original due to a specific feature: the water is red! Unfortunately, it’s not a magical phenomenon – there’s a very simple scientific explanation: the water runs through whirlpools and rocks full of iron. When it comes out of the rock into contact with the air, it oxidises, giving it this red colour.

A unique and magical place

What springs to mind when you reach this astonishing place? Walkers are often speechless before its stunning, almost unreal beauty. It’s such a gift to be able to visit this waterfall at the heart of the High Fens countryside! It’s really worth a trip to discover this impressive waterfall and hear the sound of the stream water splashing after a 9-metre fall! What’s more, to get here, your walk takes though through different places showcasing the varied landscape of the high plateau. Awe-inspiring nature shaped by the centuries. You’ll come back from this walk feeling dazzled, as if you’ve been on a journey to wonderland…

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It’s one of the most beautiful places in Belgium. An exceptional site that offers an incredible range of the loveliest postcard landscapes, but also has the highest peaks in the country as well as rich and varied flora and fauna

Be prepared to fall in love with this magnificent region, less than an hour from Liège. You’ll breathe in the spirit of the Ardennes and feel its pulse beating through its forests and rivers, picturesque villages, valleys and meadows, moors and peatland that are unique in Europe. Here is the famous High Fens Plateau, the highest place in Belgium, with peaks at 672 m (Baraque Michel) and 694 m (Signal de Botrange). These places attract many tourists who come to walk on the ‘rooftops of Belgium’.

Embrace the great outdoors 

To enjoy nature as far as the eye can see, take a deep breath of fresh air and set off on a walk through stunning landscapes without needing to take the plane – you’re in the right place. Here, you’ll step out of time. And you’re sure to find what you’re looking for! By the High Fens national nature reserve, the Maison du Parc – Botrange is an ideal starting point for walks. You can acquire walking maps, enjoy guided walks, ride on a wagon or electric bike, go skiing, see exhibitions… Superb moments of relaxation and amusement through a magical place that is unique in Belgium.

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In the heart of Waimes lies Robertville Lake, a relaxing and convivial place that offers a multitude of activities for young and old to enjoy.

Situated in the beautiful High Fens-Eifel Nature Park, 10 kilometres from Malmedy, Robertville Lake is the ideal place to have fun and/or relax. Want to go swimming with your family or friends? It’s easy to do here as a section of the lake is specially designed for swimming. There are also games with buoys available for even more fun. Dreaming of a trip on the water? Take the opportunity to rent a rowing boat, pedalo or an electric motor boat!

Nature at your fingertips

The beautiful surroundings of the lake are perfect for walking and there are several signposted routes that take you around the lake or into the surrounding forest. Finally, if you're a fishing fan, you’ll be happy to hear that no less than 13 species of fish roam the lake’s waters (bleak, eel, bream, pike, carp, whitefish, roach, perch, pike-perch, fountain salmon, catfish, tench and trout)! You just need to have a Walloon Region permit and a permit from the Ligue des Pêcheurs de l'Est. As you can see, there is no room for boredom here

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Did you know that there’s only one mountain river in the whole of Belgium? It’s true! Hidden deep in the Ardennes valley, it has a rather strange name: the Ninglinspo. Steep paths, geological curiosities and enchanting waterfalls await you.

Diana's Bath, Stag's Bath, Venus's Bath... So many pools and basins welcome the waters of the Ninglinspo, which cascade dramatically down the mountain. For 3.5 kilometres, the river has a gradient of almost 7.5%: enough to enjoy jumping across the quartzite boulders! A little corner of paradise that starts between Remouchamps and Stoumont and is hidden in the village of Sedoz. Between green hills and breathtaking landscapes, the Ninglinspo valley river is a wonderful sight that delights young and old alike.

An enchanting path

Where do you fit in to all this?  Become an adventurer! Hike the steep paths along the river and marvel at the spectacle of nature. There’s a reason that some consider this to be the most beautiful hike in the Ardennes! Walking shoes are essential! Watch the river as it twists and turns. Don't be afraid to get dirty... Not quite ready for such an intrepid adventure? While the route along the river is the most beautiful and impressive, the charms of the Ninglinspo can be enjoyed from several different walking routes. What are you waiting for?

Copyright pictures: Ardennes-étape / Martin Dellicour

The smallest city in the world is certainly known for its paved streets, gastronomy and flamboyance, but not just that. If you come to Durbuy, you mustn’t miss its belvedere and incredible panorama: it’s time to climb up high!

Is your heart already palpitating at the idea of climbing so high? We can empathise, it’s steep. But rest assured: visiting the Durbuy belvedere is accessible to all, young and old, sporty or not... simply because to get there, you have to climb aboard the city’s tourist train. So just take a seat before enjoying the trip. We bet that the children will L-O-V-E it but not just them... Essentially, we’re all just big children.

All aboard...

Here we go, the little train is moving off to take you through the city’s streets. Sitting down, you’ll enjoy another viewpoint over the houses, shops and nooks. It takes you along the ramparts of the old centre before starting its climb to the famous belvedere. Here, of course, you leave your seats and walk a few steps and there’s the spectacular panorama over the region. The city, minuscule from this view, with its terraces and colours varying from grey to blue, is seen from another perspective, hidden among rolling hills. You feel big and small at the same time, observing this magnificent landscape from the highest point in the region. Allow yourself to daydream, admiring the twists and turns of the Ourthe river, whose course continues at its own pace. Shh! Just breathe and enjoy.

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What is a UNESCO Global Geopark? It’s a geographical area that has a geological heritage of international significance. And we are lucky enough to have one in Belgium: the Famenne-Ardenne Global Geopark!

The Famenne-Ardenne UNESCO Global Geopark attracts science buffs as well as those who simply want to visit this fascinating tourist attraction. It sits on the Calestienne, which groups together the valleys of three rivers (the Lesse, the Lomme and the Ourthe), and covers an area of 915 km2, bringing together the municipalities of Beauraing, Durbuy, Hotton, Marche-en-Famenne, Nassogne, Rochefort, Tellin and Wellin, as well as the Universities of Mons and Namur, the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, and many more. This is because the site is a unique blend of caves and exceptional karst sites that is truly one of a kind in Europe!

The work of time

The Geopark reveals the geological history of marine sedimentation which, over time, has formed folds and faults resulting in this particular landscape. The limestone rocks were marked by a hot and humid climate while the Ardennes basement was rising. This is where the caves were created and the rivers began to disappear under the rock, only to re-emerge a few kilometres further down. The main unique feature of the site? Its karstic phenomena which have shaped the aerial and underground landscapes with so many fascinating natural phenomena including dolines, chasms, stalagmites and stalactites. As well as geological discoveries, the region is also full of other unmissable attractions. Visit monuments, sample regional delicacies and experience local life... The Famenne-Ardenne Global Geopark is the starting point for a host of activities and adventures!

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How? Never heard of the Grotte de Lorette-Rochefort? Considered to be the little sister of the famous Han Cave, the Lorette Cave is no less surprising with its descent to a depth of 60 metres!

Put on your walking shoes and embark on this impressive descent into the bowels of the earth. Just as in nearby Han, you’ll discover imposing rooms and galleries full of mystery. Particularly impressive in size are the evocatively-named, Great Hall of the Sabbath and the Cataclysm. Once you reach the bottom of the famous 60-metre drop, watch a hot-air balloon ascend to reveal the full height of the space. Spoiler alert: it’s high! And then? Enjoy an equally awe-inspiring sound and light show.

Tectonic phenomena

Once you’re back in the open air, carry on learning by visiting the Pavilion opposite, where you can dive into the Videokarst: a documentary that explains tectonic phenomena. An enriching visit full of surprises that you can combine with a visit to the Caves of Han and its wildlife park, the Malagne Archaeopark or the Rochefort tourist train (yes, the city is only 300 meters away so take advantage of it!). Let yourself be surprised by the Grotte de Lorette-Rochefort and its fascinating underground journey...

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Would you like to dive into a cave that attracts visitors from all over the world? Follow your guide and set out to conquer its mysteries and immense halls. These caves are shaped by the calm yet powerful waves of the River Lesse, which are constantly rewriting their own history.

Let’s go! Enter into darkness in the heart of a tunnel which gradually gives way to galleries, stalactites and stalagmites, all beautifully lit, making them look even more majestic. You will hear oohs and aahs, see eyes sparkling and find yourself marvelling at this impressive and creative feat of nature. More than just a cave, a world full of mystery awaits you. Behind the caves, the River Lesse continues its journey. Listen carefully and you can hear it rushing along its own path. You will come away from the visit full of newly-learned facts and other discoveries.

A walk on the wild side

Once you have finished your visit to the cave, board the safari bus which will take you on a tour of the wildlife park. As soon as you enter its grounds, there’s a party atmosphere: it is not every day that you see wild boars and their young roaming around. Then come the owls, wolves, European bison and lynx, before descending to the open pasture where herds of deer and Przewalski's horses can be found... and further on, the enclosures of the imposing brown bears. All in all, no fewer than 650 animals share this territory. You can also visit on foot. And on your way back, why not visit PrehistoHan, a museum that brings together 50 years of underwater excavations and takes you through 9,000 years of history!

Copyright pictures: Visit Ardenne / Visit Wallonia