Engreux: Ourthe, Dry-Stone Walls and Hiking Trails

Engreux lies at the confluence of the eastern and western Ourthe and combines a striking river landscape with village history. Twelve kilometres of marked hiking trails start from the village. At the same time, both a road and a footpath lead from the confluence to Lac de Nisramont. This allows you to tailor your stay according to your interests, focusing on the landscape, outdoor activities or the village’s cultural heritage.

Dry-Stone Walls and History in the Village

The dry-stone walls of Engreux tell a story of particular interest. The Murayîs restored at least five of these walls, and restoration and preservation work is still ongoing. Two information panels about dry-stone wall construction are already installed in the village. Anyone wishing to learn more about the subject before setting out can read the brochure “Engreux, murs en pierre sèche et Murayîs” online free of charge.

The development of the village also dates back a long way: in 1242, Engreux became one of the four main towns of the County of La Roche. The house of the former High Court of Engreux is still preserved. Several historical traces converge in the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua. It was built in 1845 to replace a chapel dating from 1717, has stained-glass windows and preserves a Stations of the Cross painted on canvas in 1860.

Below the church, the Fontaine Djâke and Lés Batch form a cascade of five communal livestock troughs. At the Fontaine Djâke, the troughs stand one behind another in a row. Another local tale is the legend of the Trou des Nutons, which tells of typically Ardennes dwarf-like creatures that lived in a cave. Alongside the visible structures, such details give a walk through Engreux a storytelling dimension as well.

Ourthe, Lac de Nisramont and Trails through the Landscape

Lac de Nisramont covers 47 hectares. A 14-kilometre walking route leads around the lake and offers its own way to explore the waterside landscape. The viewpoint at Lac de Nisramont also provides a starting point for the Hérou area. If you are looking for a shorter individual outing, you can follow the footpath to the Cresse du Lé Sau rock. The rock rises approximately 80 metres above the river.

The route from the church via the Cou des Monty viewpoint to the Moulin de Spitanche, which lies in a wooded gorge, combines further traces of landscape and history. The Moulin de Spitanche was destroyed by German troops in 1944 when it was serving as a refuge for the Maquisards. Fish passes can be seen on both Ourthe rivers. Depending on your plans for the day, you can therefore make a village walk, a marked hiking trail or a waterside tour the focus of your time in Engreux.

Which accommodation location suits your travel plans?

When looking for a holiday apartment in Engreux, it is worth deciding in advance what you would like to focus on. If you want to discover the historic sites, the church, the dry-stone walls and the information panels, the village itself should be your priority. For longer walks through the landscape, Lac de Nisramont, the Cresse du Lé Sau rock and the Hérou area are specific destinations to include in your plans.

For further orientation, you can also look at Longvilly and Noville.

For the broader travel overview: Bastnach.