Teddy Verneuil
Member for 4 years 8 months
Explorer of new horizons
Outdoor activities and photographer
I went for a bivouac IN THE HEART OF THE FOREST WITH Ardennes Rando
A 5 min escapE FROM ROUTINE
A well-oiled machine
Sleeping in a bivouac in the heart of the Ardennes forest is the ultimate experience for nature lovers! We were lucky to experience this splendid adventure in the heart of the Saint-Hubert forest (Wallonia, southern Belgium). During this adventurous trek we will take on a two-day hike, and you have probably guessed where we will be spending the night...that's right: in a bivouac!
In order to enjoy this memorable adventure we were lucky to have Olivier’s (our guide for this adventure) support and advice. Even though we will be taking this epic journey on our own, Olivier provides us with precious logistic support. After we are warmly welcomed by Olivier, he provides us with all the information we need about the trail and the two days that lie ahead. So we take our gear and head off to wander the area’s gorgeous landscapes. The great thing about our hike is that we don’t have to bear the burden of our food or camping gear, because Olivier takes care of all this…Which is great, because this way, we can really enjoy the hike without carrying a burdensome backpack.
The trek consists of 2 laps of 22km so you can fully enjoy the bounties of nature all day long.
Off we go for our first day of hiking - T. Verneuil
Hiking through a wide variety of delightful landscapes we discover Wallonia’s true identity
A variety of landscapes
To our delight we start off for our hike in a truly unspoilt environment. Perfect for roaming a wide variety of landscapes such as high plateaus, the Orti nature reserve or even Saint-Hubert’s dense forest. We journey through a widely diverse ecosystem, and are surrounded by nature throughout. I love roaming the many meadows with their beautiful display of colours and I love crossing the beautiful Orti nature reserve which is truly enchanting, with a unique and mystical atmosphere. As we journey through this leafy nook of the Ardennes, we gain a better understanding of its history and admire many natural treasures. The signposting along the trail is quite good although on some sections you need to keep your eyes peeled open.
While hiking we also get to discover Belgian heritage as well as several pretty flowered villages flaunting their typical architecture such as Laneuville-au-bois.
On the high plateaus of Saint-Hubert - T. Verneuil
A 2 day break in the heart of nature is a source of mental and physical wellbeing
An unmistakable journey back to our roots
Whenever I am in this neck of the woods, I am always impressed by the sheer calm and intensity of nature. Despite the fact that the area is somewhat drought-stricken, I am pleasantly surprised by how green the area is and thoroughly enjoy roaming the area and its unexpectedly lush nature. The long hours spent walking allow us to reconnect and feel at one with nature.
We cross the forests in companionable silence, hoping to catch a glimpse of the forest-dwellers, and we feel the thrill of the moment. We hear faint scratching sounds and small twigs cracking, we see the dens and burrows where the animals settle down for the night…And at that particular moment, just like that, nature works its magic… we forget about all our problems, fully focus on the moment and live this wonderful adventure to the full!
A night in a bivouac
The other memorable part of this adventure is definitely the bivouac in the heart of the Saint-Hubert forest. Once our first day of hiking is over we set up camp on one of several bivouac sites the area boasts. The site is perfectly equipped and comfortable, ideal for spending a lovely night surrounded by nature
A night in a bivouac in the heart of the Saint-Hubert forest - T. Verneuil
Spending the night in a bivouac is always a unique experience, no matter where you are
Once we’ve rested up a bit after a long day of hiking, we see Olivier walking up to us carrying supplies. He has brought everything you could possibly need to prepare a meal and enjoy a lovely evening. First we enjoy a couple of drinks (or aperitif as it is called over here) then we tuck into the delicious local products prepared by Olivier. While we polish off our tasty meal, we share our adventures with other hikers who are also bivouacking in the area. We swap stories and have a great time while enjoying a nice drink and yummy meal and admiring the night fall. Once darkness has fallen, it’s time for us to go to our big tent and rest our weary bodies and recharge our batteries for our second day hiking which promises to be every bit as spectacular as the first.
Our second day hiking, just as magical - T. Verneuil
We spend an uneventful night and in the early morning Olivier is back bearing gifts: breakfast! I have to say the bivouac is really comfortably fitted out and it is really lovely to start the day with scrumptious chocolate croissants fresh from the bakery. Once we’ve put away our equipment, off we go for another for another chapter of our epic journey in the heart of the Ardennes.
We’re in a great mood even though our athletic adventure draws to a close. It is now time for us to leave this exceptional setting and the countless gorgeous landscapes we discovered during our hike. We say our thank yous to Olivier and go home with our heads filled with beautiful pictures and unforgettable moments. What an adventure!
The trek is quite challenging physically and you need to be a keen walker if you want to set off on this adventure. But thanks to the many stunning landscapes we encounter along the way we soon forget the efforts required. We would love to renew the experience in the area or somewhere else.
Enjoy this experience
Ardennes Rando
Olivier Delmée
36 Bohey, 9647 Donkels, Luxemburg
Tel.: +352 28 77 75 00
http:// www.ardennes-rando.com
.Olivier from Ardennes Rando offers a selection of different hikes, ranging from 2-day to 9-day hikes. Surrounded by nature, discover the Ardennes, either in the area of the Semois, of Saint-Hubert, the Ourthe valley or walk the Escap’Ardenne trail. Discover from a wide array of hikes on their website. The experience described above costs € 145 per person.
The long hours spent walking allow us to reconnect and feel at one with nature.