Hiking in the High Fens: the Best Routes and What You Need to Know

Wooden boardwalks winding through an endless, golden-brown bog. Wind sweeping across the plateau, mist that rolls in without warning, and not a house in sight. The High Fens feel less like Belgium and more like Scandinavia. It is the largest nature reserve in the country and one of the most beautiful hiking areas in Europe. Pull on your Tundra Walk Hoodie, with caribou on an endless plain, and discover the best routes and everything you need to know before you set off.

First of All: the Fire of August 2026

On 14 August 2026 a huge wildfire broke out in the High Fens. More than 3,000 hectares went up in flames, the largest nature fire in Belgium in decades.

What does that mean for your walk?

• The burnt area remains strictly off limits, on foot, by bike and in any other way. Offenders will be dealt with severely.
• The western part, west of the N68, was spared.
• The roads across the plateau are open again, but you may not stop or park along the road.
• Baraque Michel, Mont Rigi, the Signal de Botrange and the Maison du Parc Botrange visitor centre are open again.
• Most hiking routes are accessible again, sometimes with a diversion. Some remain closed.

So always check in advance on botrange.be or with Ostbelgien to see which paths are open. The situation may still change. Fortunately, many boardwalks were spared.

What Are the High Fens?

• The largest nature reserve in Belgium: 4,501 hectares, in the province of Liège, on the German border.
• The highest point in Belgium: the Signal de Botrange, 694 metres high. With the tower you reach 700 metres.
• Raised bog: the High Fens are a raised bog more than 10,000 years old. The sphagnum moss grows there very slowly, layer by layer. The area has been protected since 1957.
• Part of a larger park: the High Fens-Eifel Nature Park covers 72,000 hectares and includes 12 municipalities.

The Weather: Different from the Rest of Belgium

The climate on the peat bog is harsh. It receives an average of around 1,400 mm of rain per year, much more than Brussels. There is often strong wind, and winters are severe, with snow from November to February.

Mist is typical of the High Fens, especially in autumn and winter. Visibility can drop to just a few metres. Always stay on the marked paths and take a map or an app with you.

Dress in layers and bring a waterproof jacket, even if it is sunny in the valley. You can find more tips in our article on hiking in the Ardennes: what to wear? and on hiking in the rain. A warm mid-layer such as the Compass Rose Hoodie, with a fleece lining, is definitely not a luxury here.

The Rules: Four Zones

The High Fens are a fragile reserve, which is why it is divided into zones:

• Zone A: freely accessible.
• Zone B: you may only walk on the marked paths and boardwalks.
• Zone C: accessible only with a certified nature guide. From March to June this zone is closed during the breeding season.
• Zone D: prohibited to the public.

In case of high fire risk, access to the entire reserve can be closed. You will see this from the red flag (drapeau rouge) at the entrances. After the 2026 fire, it is especially important to respect this rule.

The Most Beautiful Walks

Please note: check for each route whether it runs through the closed zone.

1. Fagne de la Poleur (9 km)

An easy classic of about 2 hours 15 minutes, starting at Mont Rigi, the Signal de Botrange or Baraque Michel. You walk between 640 and 696 metres above sea level. Follow the green rectangle with a stag. The route is known as dog-friendly.

2. Croix des Fiancés (about 6 km)

A short loop from Baraque Michel, past the chapel of Fischbach and the Croix des Fiancés. In January 1871, two engaged people lost their lives here in a snowstorm. You can read their story in our article on spooky places and legends in nature.

3. Botrange – Mont Rigi – Les Wés (10 km)

A loop from the highest point in Belgium, across the peat bog to Mont Rigi and back.

4. Noir Flohay (7 or 13 km)

A special place: pine trees planted in the 19th century, marked by earlier fires, especially the one in 2011. Their black silhouettes make the landscape almost ghostly. You reach them via boardwalks. Be sure to check in advance whether this section is open.

5. Brackvenn (25 km)

For experienced walkers: a long trek through the Brackvenn, the Hill valley and Ternell. Here too, the rule is: check the current map first.

Do you love rugged, open landscapes? Then the High Ridge Hoodie, with bold mountain graphics in earthy green and orange, is perfect for a day on the peat bog.

Botrange Visitor Centre

The Maison du Parc Botrange (Rue de Botrange 131, Waimes) is the ideal starting point. There you can get maps, information about current access and about guided walks in zone C.

• Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm.
• Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 10am to 5pm.
• Info: +32 80 44 03 00 or info@botrange.be.

When Is the Best Time to Go?

• Autumn: the peat bog turns golden-brown and red. It is the most beautiful season, but expect mist.
• Winter: when it snows, the area becomes a winter landscape, and you can go cross-country skiing there.
• Spring and summer: the best time for long walks. Zone C is closed until the end of June, however.

Combine your visit with one of the best viewpoints in the Ardennes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest point in Belgium?

The Signal de Botrange in the High Fens, 694 metres high. With the tower you reach 700 metres.

Can you walk anywhere in the High Fens?

No. In zone B you must stay on the marked paths, in zone C you may only enter with a certified guide, and zone D is prohibited. After the fire of August 2026, the burnt area is also off limits.

Are the High Fens open after the fire?

Largely, yes. The western part was spared, and most routes are open again, sometimes with a diversion. The burnt area remains closed. Check botrange.be in advance.

For Those Who Seek the Silence of the Peat Bog

Wind, vastness and a boardwalk that disappears into the mist: the High Fens stay with you. Discover our designs for those who love rugged landscapes in the Mountains collection, such as the Open Ground Sweatshirt with wide landscapes in soft green and brown, or the Bold Ascent Hoodie with a hiker on a mountain top at sunset. Shipping is free across the EU from €45 (otherwise €4.99).