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Escape to the Frahan scenic overlook at Rochehaut

This postcard view will take your breath away! The Rochehaut scenic overlook offers one of the most magnificent panoramic views in Belgium, at the start of a lovely 1.5 km walk through the woods. 

The site is listed as Major Heritage of Wallonia, and we can soon understand why when we get there. The scenic overlook offers a superb, uninterrupted view over the Semois Valley and the small village of Frahan. Along the route to get there, 300 metres have been landscaped for you to be able to admire this incredible panoramic view that will literally leave you gaping before the spectacular beauty of the landscape that unfolds before you. It’s without the contest THE perfect spot to take photos that are will dazzle your friends!

Exotic fauna and flora

Crossed by a grande randonnée trail, the site is also the starting point of a lovely 1.5 km walk that leads to Frahan. The woods you pass through are listed, with an obligation to maintain certain indigenous deciduous trees, such as beech, maple, elm and birch… Abundant nature home to fauna that will delight you (and the children!) if you’re lucky enough to come across any… On this bucolic trail, you’ll also discover old slate quarries, which have become a national nature reserve for bats. As you can tell, coming here will be a complete change of scene!

Copyright photos: Visit Ardenne

Enjoy the view of the Giant's Tomb in Bouillon

It is one of the most impressive panoramas in Belgium. The Botassart viewpoint offers a breathtaking view of the Giant's Tomb in Bouillon. Come and reach for the sky!   

To get there, park your car in the free parking lot : Rue de Châteaumont 53, 6833 Bouillon. 

The hamlet of Botassart is tucked away in a wide valley floor which contains the magnificent Giant's Tomb, one of Wallonia’s outstanding natural heritage sites. Rumour has it that Victor Hugo was a great admirer of this corner of the Semois. You too can come and discover this recently restored viewpoint!

Change of scene guaranteed

The vista from the Botassart viewpoint, close to the village of the same name, is spectacular. In a magnificent forest setting, the lingering Semois meanders around a rocky hillock. The river surrounds a wooded hill whose uniform shape has earned it the name "Giant's Tomb". According to legend, a centurion in Labienus' army murdered a Gallic giant here. An old man came across the giant’s body and, with the help of a group of young teenagers, decided to bury it on this hill at an altitude of 250 metres.

An ideal activity for those who love nature and a change of scenery!

 

Copyright pictures: Ardennes-étape / Visit Wallonia

Reach Soaring Heights at Le Hérou Viewpoint

It’s an extraordinary place, the only one of its kind in Belgium, listed by the regional authorities of Wallonia as aprotected heritage site. Le Hérou is an incredible 1.5km-long rocky spur overlooking the winding river Ourthe at Nadrin and boasting a breathtaking view of the valley.

The view from Le Hérou has to be earned. The path to the viewpoint is difficult (and not recommended if you have children with you), but what a reward when you get there, with the view of the magnificent landscape spread out before you likesomething out of the French Alps! You can find this astonishing natural site, a listed heritage site since 1937, in the Nadrin district of the province of Luxembourg. It was once known as ’Li Cresse di laid saut,' and it is said that a herald used to announce the sentences passed by the Nadrin High Court from the top of this rock. This legend was enough to lend the place a sheen of mystery... Want to go there? You’ll need to take route no. 6 from Nadrin - marked with a green rectangle - 5.4km.

On Top of the World

Whoever said Belgium was a flat country? Le Hérou proves, in any case, that you can find superb views here and there is no doubt that this one, in the Deux Ourthes nature park in the heart of the Ardennes, offers one of the most beautiful panoramas in Belgium.  It’s this rocky cliff, impressive both for its height (you stand 80 to 90 metres above the Ourthe) and for its shape (the rock face being almost completely vertical), that makes the site so phenomenal. You can see how the elements have worked tirelessly in an age-old battle to make it what it is today. 

You can take the steep paths that lead to the top of the cliff, then follow the river in total peace and contentment... It’s a gorgeous walk where you’ll want to drink in the smallest details of the abundant plant life spread out before you (including blueberries as far as the eye can see). Handy tip: there are other trails starting in the centre of the village.

Copyright pictures: Ardennes-étape

Enjoy the diverse natural landscapes in the Deux Ourthes Nature Reserve

Looking for beautiful landscapes and walks along the water? In the province of Luxembourg, the Nature Reserve welcomes you to a vast area comprising traditional villages, wild landscapes, beautiful valleys and enchanting streams.

It covers 76,000 hectares in the north-east of the province of Luxembourg and includes the municipalities of Bertogne, Gouvy, Houffalize, La Roche-en-Ardenne, Sainte-Ode and Tenneville. This is the Deux Ourthes Nature Reserve, a vast mountainous area, so named because it covers the valleys where the two branches of the river Ourthe (eastern and western) have their sources. The heart of the Ardennes awaits you: traditional Ardennes villages, deep, wooded valleys, peat bogs and marshes, meadows and rural uplands.

A paradise of flora and fauna

The Deux Ourthes Nature Reserve is full of diverse landscapes that take you on an exploration through rich, varied and generous nature, where flora and fauna flourish in harmony. Stroll along the small clear-water streams, follow the educational paths along the Ourthe, open your eyes and take your time, go hiking (there are dozens of routes for all levels, including the famous Escapardenne trail) and marvel at the sound of nature's heartbeat along the way...

Copyright pictures: Ardennes-étape

Nisramont Lake and Dam: an Exceptional Place in the Heart of the Ardennes

This remarkable site is the perfect place to enjoy the unspoilt beauty of nature and take part in a whole host of activities. Come to Nisramont for one of the most beautiful walks in the Ardennes and an escape into a different world!

Nisramont is many things: first of all, a lake - the point where the western and eastern parts of the river Ourthe come together. It’s also a dam built to supply water to all of the neighbouring valleys. The dam, 116m long and 16m high, doubles up as a hydroelectric power station and treatment plant. And the whole place is an outstanding, spectacular site surrounded by nature!

Nature and Fun

Come to Nisramont for one of the most beautiful walks in the Ardennes and escape into an unexpected, idyllic world amidst a well-preserved, almost untouched natural landscape. Take steep little paths up to magnificent viewpoints, following the banks of the Ourthe, around the lake or on another one of the many walks. As well as walking, Nisramont lake also offers a whole host of ways to relax and have fun: fishing, paddle boarding, boating, kayaking, etc. 

Copyright pictures: Ardennes-étape / Visit Ardenne / Visit Wallonia

The Mardasson Memorial, an exceptional site of remembrance

An impressive monument, not to be missed. Honouring the Battle of the Bulge, which took place in Bastogne, this unmissable memorial also offers incredible panoramic views.

A moving and awe-inspiring place. The site has a poignant significance. The Mardasson Memorial honours the memory of the 76,000 American soldiers who fell on Belgian soil during the Battle of the Bulge, a major offensive in the Second World War. Inaugurated in 1950, the monument takes the shape of a five-pointed star, each point measuring 31 metres long. You can read the story of the battle engraved in gold letters on the walls of the open gallery. Under the memorial is a crypt with mosaic walls created by Fernand Léger. One of the world’s unique works of art that represents the Jewish,Catholic and Protestant faiths.

Between heaven and earth

The Mardasson Memorial is situated on a hill just 2 km from the centre of Bastogne. A staircase leads up to the covered walkway. From there you can take in the breathtakingpanoramic views of the surrounding area.

Are you fascinated by history? Why not complement your visit to the Mardasson Memorial with a visit to the beautiful and moving War Museum next door, which brings the Second World War to life in an interactive way.

Copyright photos: Ardennes-étape

The Saint Hubert Basilica, an outstanding cultural heritage site

One of the most impressive basilicas in Europe is right here in the Ardennes! A remarkable symbol of Wallonia’s cultural heritage, the majestic Saint Hubert Basilica is a famous pilgrimage site for animal lovers.

Its imposing silhouette stands out against the wooded Ardennes landscape, a proud symbol steeped in history. Built in the 16th century, the basilica is a pilgrimage site in honour of Saint Hubert, the patron saint of the Ardennes, hunters, foresters and butchers. It is impossible not to be impressed by the magnificent architecture, which mixes the abundant Gothic style with Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles.

Tradition and a love for animals

The Baroque facade welcomes you and guides you inside the basilica where you will find the nave, the choir and the attic (which is accessible by prior arrangement - enjoy the experience of walking under the roof!) as well as the paintings of Saint Hubert and his mysterious stag. Animals have a special place here; many pilgrims bring their faithful companions with them, seeking the protection of Saint Hubert. Three times a year, dogs, cats and other animals are blessed by the Dean during Mass. A tradition that combines folklore, beliefs and history and attracts large crowds, making it an unmissable event in the region!

Copyright pictures: Visit Ardenne

Malmedy Cathedral, a remarkable historic location

With its Renaissance style and Latin cross shape, it’s an essential part of the town’s architectural heritage and a location with an exceptional history.

Malmedy Cathedral was built between 1776 and 1784 in Waimes sandstone (regional stone). Initially, it fulfilled the role of a Benedictine abbey, then became a parish church after the French Revolution before eventually being elevated to the rank of a cathedral under the ephemeral Eupen-Malmedy diocese from 1921 to 1925. It’s a surprising title (because its architecture and size are still comparable to those of other religious buildings) that it only owes to the town’s specific political situation between the wars, but has retained pursuant to the Code of Canonical Law.

What can you see there?

Straight away, the majesty of this location with its pure, stripped contours is evident. Two tall square towers welcome you inside to vast spaces bathed in light. In here, your glance will be drawn by the Holy Virgin’s altar, which is original, as well as its four sculpted wood confessionals and pulpit. Although the stained glass windows are not original (they were destroyed in the December 1944 bombings), the bells are; built in 1786, there are 35 authentic bells, which are the work of Martin Legros, an inhabitant of Malmedy.

Copyright pictures: Ardennes-étape 

Gileppe Dam, full of exciting activities

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!

Copyright pictures: Visit Ardenne

The High Fens-Eifel Nature Park: the largest nature reserve in Belgium

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.

Copyright photos: Ardennes-étape