Discover Houffalize

Houffalize combines a distinctive landscape with traces of history and many opportunities to explore the town actively. In the Parc naturel des Deux Ourthes, Houffalize is one of the two largest settlements. A deeply incised valley, wooded slopes and steep meadows shape the character of the area where the Ourthe meets the Ru de Cowan. This makes the town an ideal starting point for a trip that brings together nature, activity and cultural discoveries.

Landscape and trails around Houffalize

Those wishing to include walks in their daily plans will find 13 walking trails in Houffalize, ranging from 5 to 12 km in length. They start at Place Janvier 45, in front of the tourist office. This means that the length of the route can already be taken into account when planning a shorter or longer outing, without presupposing a specific walking time.

Another option is the legends trail. It starts at the Houffalize tourist office, where visitors can obtain a free audio guide for the tour. The walking trail to the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Forêt is signposted as Route No. 3, is 7.5 km long and starts at the R.S.I. Houffalize at Place de Janvier 45. When choosing your accommodation, it may be useful to first consider whether you want to structure your stay mainly around trails such as these, cycling excursions or cultural destinations.

The Colline Saint-Roch is also one of the area's defining viewpoints: from one of the highest points in the region, the 360-degree view extends across the landscape. On the RAVeL near Houffalize, sections ranging from 10 to 27 km are available. Families can also plan a family-friendly off-road mountain bike circuit that starts in Houffalize and leads to the villages of Cowan and Tavigny.

History, legends and special places

The town's history can be seen, among other things, in the surviving remains of the walls and corner towers of the second fortress of the Lords of Houffalize. At Place de la Gare stands the Henri Sebald Monument at the intersection of Rue Moulin Lemaire and Rue Porte à l’Eau, in a specially laid-out square. The municipal cemetery on Rue de Liège also contains a French single grave for Henri Sebald, described as a Brigadier of the 23e Dragons, who died for France on 8 August 1914.

One of the town's unusual stories concerns the Trou des Nutons. The cave is associated with a local legend about dwarfs who lived there and repaired the shoes of Houffalize's inhabitants at night. A new trail in the heart of the « cité des enfants » offers another way to discover regional stories. It leads to numerous legends from the region; the individual stops are enhanced by works by local artists.

For families and curious explorers, Houtopia in Houffalize is a place to discover the five senses. Those interested in sacred and craft-related heritage can also find, in a building in Houffalize, a lectern in the shape of an eagle made in 1370 by the Dinant School of Goldsmithing. Houffalize is also home to a former chapel of the Augustinian priory founded in 1235. Along the Ourthe on Rue du Moulin Lemaire, the remains of the Moulin and the Tannerie Lemaire have been preserved.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans?

A holiday apartment or holiday home in Houffalize may be particularly suitable if you want to combine different ideas for each day: a walking trail, a section of the RAVeL, a mountain bike excursion or a visit to places with historical and storytelling connections. When searching, check which location suits your personal focus and whether you would rather centre your stay on peaceful landscape experiences, family-oriented activities or cultural attractions. The trails and destinations mentioned provide a concrete guide, without requiring all the experiences to be combined into a single tour.

More destination pages

For further travel planning, you can also visit the destination pages for Achouffe, Mabompré, Nadrin, Wibrin, Buret, Tavigny, Mont, Tailles and Cèturu.

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