Ovifat – Skiing, Hiking Trails and the Warche Valley

Between the Hautes Fagnes, Forest and Warche Valley

Ovifat lies on the southern slope of the Hautes Fagnes plateau and combines winter sports, trails through the landscape and remarkable cultural sites. The village is characterised by houses made of rubble stone, often surrounded by tall beech hedges. At the same time, Ovifat overlooks the Warche Valley. This valley is designated as a protected landscape, belongs to the Natura 2000 network and partly includes a state nature reserve.

When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, it is therefore worth first considering how you would like to spend your days: with winter sports, walks, historical discoveries or a mixture of these options. In the area around Ovifat, the Bayehon Valley, with its steep slopes, offers numerous hiking and mountain-biking trails.

Winter Sports and Trails for Different Types of Travel Days

The Ovifat alpine ski area has three slopes for different ability levels, as well as a toboggan run. Outside the winter season, the ski area offers a leisure centre with numerous games and activities for groups and families.

There are also specific starting points for a day on foot. The “Sur les hauteurs d’Ovifat” circular trail begins at the church in Ovifat and follows the route of the Via Mansuerisca towards Rû du G’Hâster and the alpine ski slope. The Parcours Santé Ovifat begins at the end of Rue du G’Hâster. The “Vers Reinhardstein” walking route leads through the forest along roads and paths to Metternich Castle, which stands on a rocky outcrop above the Warche.

If you are planning to travel by public transport, the Ovifat alpine ski area can be reached from Verviers or Eupen railway stations by train and then by bus towards Elsenborn. The Sourbrodt stop is 500 m from the slopes. This information can be taken into account when planning your journey and choosing the right holiday destination.

Culture between Church, Chapel and Château

The Saint-Remacle Church in Ovifat is a neo-Romanesque building made of arkose rubble stone, with a three-sided nave. Between Ovifat and Château de Reinhardstein lies the Chapelle du Cheneux, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is first mentioned in a document from 1602 recording a major pilgrimage by people from Malmedy.

Château de Reinhardstein also offers a historical perspective on the area: in 1354, Wenceslaus of Luxembourg granted Renaud de Waimes permission to build Château de Reinhardstein at this site. Groups can visit Château de Reinhardstein all year round by reservation as part of guided tours. Those wishing to combine culture and landscape will find different focal points for planning their days in the Warche Valley and on the trails around Ovifat.

Choose Your Accommodation According to Your Travel Plans

Accommodation in Ovifat is particularly suited to your plans if you want to combine winter sports, tobogganing, trails and cultural destinations in the same trip. For families, the leisure centre outside the winter season is a specific option; those who prefer historical sites can focus on the church, chapel and château. The key consideration is which of these experiences you want to define your stay and whether you would like to include travel by train and bus.

Discover other places in the surrounding area via Faymonville, Sourbrodt and Robertville.

For the higher-level travel overview: Weismes.