An Ardennes getaway in the heart of the forest at Borzée

Mer or Mère … signposts and place-name signs use both spellings. This stream rises in the hills south of Samrée and flows gently from cascade to cascade as far as Maboge, where it joins the Ourthe.Further on, the other main stream on this walk is indeed called the Belle Meuse and has recently been colonised by beavers, judging by photos taken in 2017 – when there was virtually no sign of them and fording the stream posed no major problem – and in 2022, when crossing the path at km 14 is impossible without the small wooden bridges added at the side or without putting on waders. It, too, rises in the hills, at La Fange aux Mochettes to the north-east of Samrée, and flows southwards to join the Martin Moulin stream between Achouffe and Engreux.

Borzée, the cul-de-sac hamlet in the woods halfway up between Maboge along the Ourthe and Samrée on the plateau, had become virtually deserted since the closure of its iconic Nature Centre. It has come back to life and will likely become even livelier once the final phases of the Anatura Ardenne project to build a holiday village are completed.Borzée, the stream which officially rises in the hamlet’s pond behind the chapel and flows into the Mer stream barely 1.5 km further down, is literally overrun by beavers, whose dams, driftwood and gnawed, fallen tree trunks can be seen on either side of the valley.

Since 1965, the Tramway Touristique de l'Aisne (TTA) has been operating an old Ardennes local railway line between Pont d'Érezée and Lamorménil. This long walk allows you to discover the last two (old) stations or stops.

The Tailles plateau rises to an altitude of around 650 metres, where fagnes, fanges, pools and peat bogs are home to the sources of many of the Ourthe’s tributaries. Two of the best-known streams are the Henri Moulin, which flows southwards and joins the Eastern Ourthe just before the Nisramont dam, and the Aisne, which flows northwards and joins the Ourthe at Bomal.This walk explores the northern part of the Plateau des Tailles and the wetlands where the Aisne has its source. The boardwalks installed in recent years at the bottom of the Fagne de Pouhon will save you from the wet feet that were a certainty in previous years! While you’re unlikely to spot any beavers, a bit of careful observation is all it takes to discover their handiwork.

A challenging walk in the Upper Ourthe region, along the wildest and most picturesque section of the valley. Discover an ancient Celtic fortress and the Hérou panorama, rated 2 stars by Michelin.

Set off to discover the authentic Ardennes forest, far from the hustle and bustle of the tourist centre of La Roche-en-Ardenne. In mid-August, apart from a few people on the outskirts of Borzée, you may not meet any other hikers. Peace and quiet guaranteed.

Superb walk, relatively difficult in its first part

This hike, half in the forest and half in the countryside, starts at the car park of Chlorophylle Park, a forest theme park offering recreation, education and art. The path starts between the reception building, restaurant, terrace, toilets and souvenir shop, and the park itself.