Gauthier Poncelet
Member for 5 years 3 months
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Outdoor and nature lover
TOP 5
great hiking routes in the Ardennes
Luxuriantly dense forests, rolling hills, winding rivers, fascinating caves and picturesque villages make the Ardennes region a vast playground for anyone looking for an active holiday surrounded by unspoilt nature. Without a doubt, hiking is the best means of exploring the Ardennes. There are hiking paths for everyone, from challenging long-distance trails to easy walks for all the family across some idyllic countryside. If you're into wildlife, culture, gastronomy, history, or all of the above, then this is definitely the place for you! Here are 5 favourite hikes recommended by Gauthier Poncelet and a local guide, Olivier Delmée!
1. The Semois valley
This tranquil valley was carved out by the winding River Semois, a tributary of the Meuse. It stretches for 220 km between the towns of Arlon, in the Belgian Ardennes, and Monthermé, in the French Ardennes, offering stunning views of the pine forest, the lush green fields and the tiny hilltop villages. Thanks to its specific microclimate, the Semois valley was once the beating heart of a flourishing tobacco industry.
Certain chapters of that past can be revisited on walks through the Belgian villages of Laforêt, Membre, Mouzaive and Vresse sur Semois. Laforet is considered to be one of Wallonia's most beautiful villages, with its traditional farms and old timber tobacco sheds. One of the key features of this valley is the famously seasonal bridge of branches, a rustic structure put together every spring to allow access to the opposite bank of the Semois river.
Access: From Paris, it's a 2hr 40mn drive to Monthermé. From Brussels, it'll take you 1hr 50 mn to get to the village of Vresse-Sur-Semois. There are also rail links from Brussels and Namur.
Best time of year: April to September
Location: Provinces of Namur and Luxembourg in Belgium, and the French Ardennes
2. The majestic Anlier Forest
The forest of Anlier nestles on the edge of the Ardennes in the Belgian province of Luxembourg. This vast protected natural space is drained by the River Sûre and is home to a variety of fauna including deer, foxes, rare birds and wild cats. The region is also well known for its culinary specialities, including cheese, Ardennes ham, honey, Gaume pâté and craft beer. There's something to please everyone!
Anlier forest is an invitation to unwind as you explore in slow-tourism mode. And it's only a 2-hour drive from Brussels. Bastogne is one of the area's best starting points for hikers. This town is a popular remembrance tourism destination and is also famous for being the epicentre of the Battle of the Ardennes.
Access: From Brussels there are rail links to Libramont (2hr), Namur (1hr) and Luxembourg (50mn). From there, take a bus to Bastogne (45mn). There are also daily bus services between Bastogne and Liège (1hr 30mn) and between Bastogne and Namur (1hr 30mn).
Best hiking period: April to September
Location: Martelange, Bastogne
3. The Great Forest of Saint-Hubert
The Great Forest of Saint-Hubert stretches across five different municipalities and shelters a wide diversity of animal and bird life. It is a must for nature lovers who can venture deep into the woods via the hiking trails. This is one of the best places in the Ardennes to observe deer. The best time to immerse yourself in this natural setting is the autumn, when you can also hear the bellow of the stags.
Various options are available for exploring St Hubert forest. There are long itineraries for seasoned sports lovers and shorter trails for those who prefer to take it easy. Finally, if you're truly looking for a "wilderness" experience, you can go on a 2-day forest hike with an overnight bivouac stop. From the village of Givry, the trip takes you through little villages and valleys and offers some breathtaking views.
Access: There's a direct rail link between Namur and Poix St Hubert (1hr 15mn). From Brussels, you can catch a train to Rochefort, then change for Poix St Hubert (2hr 45mn).
Best time of year: Autumn
Location: Around Saint-Hubert
A 3-day adventure in Saint-Hubert forest with Olivier Delmée
4. The Escapardenne trail
The great hiking itinerary of the Ardennes, the Escapardenne Eislek trail, is considered to be one of the "best quality trails" in Europe. The itinerary stretches for 106 km between Belgium and Luxembourg. It can be split into several stages, taken in either direction, and takes about 6 days to complete. The itinerary runs between the village of Kautenbach in Luxembourg and La-Roche-en-Ardenne, in Belgium.
It crosses radically-changing countryside between 3 towns and nearly 20 villages, from the high plateau to the deep valleys. Hiking along the Escapardenne is a good way of leaving the beaten track and exploring the natural diversity of the Ardennes, not forgetting the region's cultural and historical heritage.
Access: You can reach Kautenbach by train from the city of Luxembourg (40mn). You can also reach it from Brussels, with a change at Liège (3hr).
Best time of year: Spring and Summer
Location: From Kautenbach to La Roche-en-Ardenne
5. Oesling (Eislek)
The Oesling region, also known as the Eislek or the Ardennes of Luxembourg, is one of the two geographical regions of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Situated in the north of the country, this region is stunningly beautiful, with its alternating landscapes of hills, plateaus, fields, oak forests and rivers.
Wiltz is one of the region's biggest towns and the starting point for many hiking routes. The trails cover a number of tranquil villages and ancient castles as well as exploring the Oesling's two nature parks, the Our Nature Park and the Haute-Sûr Nature Park.
Access: By train from the city of Luxembourg (1hr), changing at Kautenbach; or from Brussels (4hr) with two changes. If you're already in the Ardennes, you can get here by bus. There's one from Bastogne, in Belgium, which only takes 25 minutes
Best time of year: All year round
Location: Wiltz
Here are my 5 favourite hikes for
the perfect Ardennes experience