Waimes: High Fens, cycle routes and nature experiences

Waimes appeals to travellers looking to combine moorland, outdoor activities and culture. Waimes is one of the gateways to the High Fens nature reserve, whose landscape is characterised by heathland and peat bogs. In Waimes, Signal de Botrange reaches 694 metres, making it the highest point in Belgium. The area also has RAVeL cycle routes, walking and mountain-bike trails, and a permanent exhibition on the High Fens. The range of options can help you plan your holiday around the experiences that interest you most.

Moorland, forests and valleys

The High Fens has a distinctive landscape of heathland and peat bogs. If you want to explore nature on foot or by mountain bike, Waimes offers a varied network of trails through deep forests and winding valleys. Numerous walking and mountain-bike trails run through the Bayehon Valley between Ovifat and Xhoffraix. Another specific nature experience is the Bayehon Trail, which leads to a nine-metre-high waterfall that plunges into a large pool.

The marked routes also vary in length and layout. The “Couleurs des Fagnes” nature trail is 800 metres long and features ten illustrated, interactive modules. The Botrange Totemus trail is about five kilometres long; it follows the High Fens’ characteristic wooden boardwalks to Belgium’s highest point. The distances give you an initial idea of which type of route might suit your plans, while the themes shape each trail’s character.

Cycle routes and outdoor activities

Near Waimes, the Vennbahn is one of the RAVeL routes. The cycle route is 125 kilometres long, fully paved and has a gentle gradient. It follows disused railway lines through three countries. This is distinct from the larger network of low-traffic routes: after the former railway lines 45 and 48 were converted into RAVeL paths, Waimes became a junction in a network of almost 200 kilometres. The two figures therefore describe different scales: the Vennbahn as a single route and the network as a wider system.

The Ovifat/Thirimont fitness trail offers a different way to get active. It consists of two marked forest circuits, each 2.5 kilometres long and featuring around 15 exercises. For a guided activity in the forest, there is the Grill-Hike by Ardenne Activity. The hike requires a reservation and combines pre-ordered meals with a portable grill and a roadbook. Routes of five, nine or twelve kilometres are available.

Near Waimes, the Piste de Ski Alpin d’Ovifat has three alpine ski slopes with gradients ranging from 10 to 80 per cent, as well as three drag lifts. This is a different kind of activity from the Vennbahn, which is paved and has a gentle gradient. If you are planning to ski, check the current snow and operating conditions in advance.

Exhibitions, outings and other destinations

FANIA is the permanent exhibition at the Maison du Parc Botrange. It explores the High Fens through its climate, relief, geology and natural landscapes. Nearby, Château de Reinhardstein invites visitors on guided tours to view an extensive collection of furniture, armour and tapestries. These offer distinct points of interest: nature and a cultural and historical outing.

Also nearby is Robertville-les-Bains, with an outdoor swimming pool in a natural setting; its water is officially recognised as bathing water. The Warchenne recreation area in Waimes has a playground, tennis courts, pétanque courts, the Oberbayern hall and the tourist office. The Botrange Waimes Tourist Information Centre provides information about accommodation, outings and walks in the municipality and the High Fens.

Find the right holiday rental for your travel plans

When looking for a holiday rental, you can start by deciding which experiences you want to shape your trip: a longer cycle ride, trails through forest and moorland, an exhibition, a guided castle visit or time by the water. If you plan to include several activities, it helps to check the locations and conditions for each one separately, rather than assuming that what applies to one route applies to every outing. The Botrange Waimes Tourist Information Centre can provide information about accommodation and walking trails.

Discover more destinations: Ovifat, Robertville, Sourbrodt, Faymonville, Marchin, Herve, Vieuxville, Ferrières.

See the main travel overview: Liège.