Get ready for a magical ecotourism stay
in the heart of the Ardenne
This itinerary will take you from the Luxembourg border to the Liège region, from the
Salm Valley to the Amblève valley. Begin your adventure at Gouvy village located at the
extreme – northern tip of the Luxembourg region – a beautiful concoction of green landscapes,
forests and crystal clear rivers. It’s a wonderful area for nature lovers with eleven
bird life reserves in the region.
After leaving Gouvy, on foot, taking the GRP 571 you’ll quickly arrive at the Val de Salm,
a sub-basin of the Amblève. You will then pass by the pretty village of Salmchâteau which
takes part of its name to this small stream - the Salm. By bike after Gouvy, you then head
further east towards Saint-Vith to then join the Salm valley.
Then, whether you are on foot or by bike, you’ll discover Vielsalm, known for its geological
riches. With almost every step you will encounter rare rocks - unique in the world. Malachite,
ottrelite, ardennite, vantasselite, quartz crystals, turquoise..., even gold! There is also the
famous coticule which is used for « razor stones ». There’s even a museum dedicated to them.
On foot, you’ll then reach Trois-Ponts with its magnificent view from the 16,65 metres high
Tour Leroux. After crossing Trois-Ponts, the Salm flows into the Amblève. On foot or by bike,
you’ll be blown away by this exceptional valley and its magnificent river. Its source is found
in this exceptional valley on the borders of the Hautes-Fagnes-Eifel Nature Park, digging its
deep bed in a valley with steep slopes. The Amblève flows from a height of 15 metres. Don’t
miss the Coo waterfall, a major site in Wallonia and the highest natural waterfall in Belgium.
This waterway truly is the gift that keeps on giving. It conceals a magical place called the
Fonds de Quarreux. A 1,5 km walk along the river reveals these mysterious rounded rocks
and the legends around this fantastic place. Further on, you’ll visit yet another natural gem:
‘Les Grottes de Remouchamps’ (caves), where tourists can enjoy the longest underground
navigation in the world. A true spectacle before arriving in Aywaille, your final destination.
76 km
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max. 571 m
min. 121 m
2272 m
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Style : Roadtrip Public : Experienced hikers |
The Stavelot Abbey, a Benedictine abbey funded in 651, is a fascinating historical site with quite a modern touch: an abseiling experience from the top of the abbey tower. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/stavelot-abbey-perfect-alliance-culture-and-adventure
Focus on the events which occurred in the region of La Gleize and on the history of the 82nd US Abn D during the Battle of the Bulge through many displayed objects. www.december44.com
The Caves of Remouchamps, a natural gem in the province of Liège, are famous for being home the longest underground river in the world. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/content/caves-remouchamps-natural-gem-province-liege
www.accueilchampetre.be/fr/content/fr/le-fenil-3694
This brewery uses top quality ingredients to product this liquid gold, from spring water to the most sought-after hops. The beers on offer from the Lupulus brewery will appeal to lovers of the divine beverage for their very typical, hoppy taste. By way of explanation, the Latin name for hops is "Humulus Lupulus", which also means 'Humble little wolf' ...The brewery can be visited by reservation (in EN, FR or NL) at weekends and on public holidays, from 10 people upward. Reservation op the website
The "Treasures of the Land of Salm" walk takes you along a wild and preserved path through one of the natural reserves of the region. You will also discover extraordinary sites which are the archaeological and historical witnesses of a rich past. You will have the pleasure of admiring the forgotten millstones, the old galleries of the slate quarrymen or the traces of the gold diggers to finally arrive at the famous Museum of Coticule
In the green setting of the Belgian Ardenne (Vielsalm), Avenature welcomes all types of groups to make them experience an unforgettable moment. Families, companies, schools, ... there is something for everyone.Adventure, relaxation and conviviality are some of the key words found in each activity. Everything is steered in the right direction by our experienced instructors.A selection from our range: ropes course, disc golf, board games, CSI: The game, The secret of the monks, Mission impossible, The sword of Xivry, ... Our slogan: Adventure is our nature.
From the town of the "macralles de Salm" to the Born viaduct with its thirteen arches, the route is mainly on the former railway line n°47A. From Vielsalm station, you walk along the pretty Lac des Doyards and leave the village via a pretty valley that leads to Petit-Thier. Panoramic views of rural landscapes alternate with forest and foothills crossings, taking you to the borders of the German-speaking municipalities of Sankt-Vith and Amel. When you see the first arches of the viaduct on a country road, you will realise that Born, the Vennbahn and its extensive cycling network are within reach.
This is not just a museum but a spectacular visit ; The "Maison du Pays de Salm" offers you the possibility to discover the area of the Salmvalley, its history, and geography.Let me take you through our underground tunnels to meet the men and women who worked our rocks. you can learn, be given a fright, and end the visit with a song! Duration of the tour: 1 hour.Visit only in french, dutch or german but visual material for English-speaking visitors
Après la tour Leroux, un autre point de vue sur la vallée de la Salm.
This raised hide, 16.65 metres high, overlooks the Salm valley where you can admire deciduous trees and conifers. It affords us a splendid panorama and interesting viewpoints such as the upper lakes of the Coo hydro-electric power station and the little villages of Brume and Mont-de-Fosse, Bergeval, Saint-Jacques, and on a clear day, you can even see la Baraque de Fraiture in the municipality of Vielsalm. The Leroux Tower was built on the initiative of Louis Lorent, a carpenter from Trois-Ponts, who carried out the work voluntarily with the help of his son Gaston, and thanks to the donation of the 14 m3 of wood required by the Leroux timber merchant.In its first form, the tower consisted of 3 floors and was 12 m high. It was inaugurated in 1938 and was even a symbol of resistance in 1944, when three resistance fighters, led by Henri Dugailliez, went to hang a Belgian flag on its top on the morning of July 21, despite the presence of German troops. After the war, the tower was repaired and restored in a new form in 1976. This was known as the second tower.From 1996, the municipality prohibited access to the tower due to two rotten pillars and they considered a thorough renovation. It was decided to build a new, larger tower, 10m away from the first two towers, on a little hill. This made the new tower 3m higher and the final dimensions of the tower - designed by the architect Siquet - were 16.65m high at the top.The new tower was inaugurated on December 9, 2000.
Possibility of several family activities à la carte, by reservation. Snacks available in a hut at the top of the ski run, with a large terrace affording a splendid view over the surrounding countryside.Wooden maze – Playground – Mini-golf – Mountain bike rental – Mountain scooter - Pump track BMX – Downhill karting - Go Karts – Tubing - Archery – Laser clay pigeon shooting – Zorbing - GPS hikes- Ropeway – Kayak – Downhill skiing, cross-country-skiing and luge during snowy weather.
Roller coaster, wild river log flume, funfair, playground, duck fishing, merry-go-around, bobsleigh, minigolf, chairlift.
Discover Wallonia in a whole new way, with the help of games.Go on a treasure hunt and (re)discover Coo!Do it alone, as a couple or as a family!Leaving from Petit Coo, discover the incredible facilities of the Coo power station, set in an ancient meander of the Amblève in the middle of the rolling Ardennes countryside. You can also do it on a mountain bike!Totemus treasure hunts combine sport, with different levels of walks, culture, highlighting Walloon riches and know-how (tales and legends, art, gastronomy...) and adventure.Download the Totemus application (free)!
Des activités sportives en extérieurs pour vivre des sensations en famille ou entre amis Du kayak, au mountainbike.
In Aywaille, a village where many legends mention elves, the brasserie de l'Elfique will delight you with its selection of craft beer. walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk/en-gb/produit/attractions/activites/village-and-countryside-producers/the-brasserie-de-lelfique-/12109