Walking in the Ardennes : Belgium, Luxembourg and the Ardennes

Explore the Ardennes, one of northwest Europe's most rewarding and accessible walking destinations. This captivating region stretches across southeastern Belgium and into Luxembourg and France, offering rolling forested hills, deep river valleys, dramatic rock formations, and medieval castles. Rich in World War II history, ancient cave systems, and charming market towns, the Ardennes presents a varied and endlessly engaging landscape for walkers of all abilities. This comprehensive guidebook describes 32 day walks and one multi-day trek across five distinct areas of the Ardennes. Day walks range from 2 to 24km (1–15 miles) and can be completed in 1–8 hours, making them accessible to beginners and experienced walkers alike. Explore the River Semois and its dramatic meanders around Bouillon, the moorland of the Hautes Fagnes, the spa town of Malmedy, the caves and river valleys of Dinant and the Lesse, and the ridges and forests around La Roche-en-Ardenne. The featured Sentier du Nord long-distance trek covers 68km (42 miles) from Weiswampach to Diekirch in Luxembourg, presented in 6 manageable stages as part of the GR57 long-distance trail network. Each walk includes 1:50,000 maps, detailed planning information, refreshment notes, and public transport connections. Discover highlights including Bouillon Castle, the extraordinary bogland of the Hautes Fagnes, the cave systems at Han-sur-Lesse and Rochefort, World War II battlefields around Malmedy and Stavelot, and the military museum at Diekirch. Practical information covers accommodation, getting there, money, health and safety, and the RAVeL network of traffic-free paths that criss-cross the Belgian countryside. Introductory sections explore the region's geography, geology, plants and wildlife, food and drink, and the story of the World War II Ardennes offensive that shaped this historic landscape.