The Valley of the Hermeton
An adventurous up-and-down hike through an Ardennes river valley
Latest Posts
GR 571 Stage 2: Aywaille to Stoumont
Stage 2 of the GR 571 featured steep ascents, great views, scary footbridges and some snow! And a lovely overnight stay at Maggie’s AirBnB in Stourmont.
Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917
The MMP17 is a museum dedicated to the horrendous bloodbath that was the Battle of Passchendaele. It displays numerous artefacts from the battle, a Dugout Experience that takes you underground into a mock-up of the British Army’s quarters, and reconstructions of trenches.
When do the bluebells bloom in the Hallerbos?
Get ready for a superb natural spectacle. Coming soon to the Hallerbos! Here you can find a map of where to go in the Hallerbos, and directions to the website that shows you which wild flowers are currently in full bloom.
GR 571 Stage 1: Comblain-au-Pont to Aywaille
I set off on the first stage of the GR 571 long-distance path in the Belgian Ardennes. I quickly get confused as to which path to take, but the diversion gave me great views. Oh, the temperature was below zero! Brrr!
2016: The year of the long-distance footpath
Follow me over a few weekends as I walk the 165-km GR 571 long-distance footpath in the Belgian Ardennes. It’s just one of many long-distance paths that criss-cross Belgium. Will I complete it? Let’s find out.
Great website for Silly Walks
If you want to explore the Le Tournaisis region of Belgium, this website is a good starting point. The whole area is worth exploring. It contains two natural parks, quaint villages, rural museums, chateaux, and a comprehensive network of country walks.
Cycling and hiking in Belgium
An ingenious network of cycle paths and footpaths covers many parts of Flanders and makes it easy to devise your own unique cycling and hiking route.
Talbot House: A shelter amidst the storm
Talbot House in Poperinge is one of the most evocative First World War sites in Belgium. It was used by soldiers for rest and relaxation before returning to the Front. It’s still very much as it used to be 100 years ago.
Masbourg: How Green is my Valley
A 15 km hike through the green valleys around Masbourg in the Ardennes. If you want some fresh air, wonderful views, cute cottages and a bit of solitude, this walk could be just what the doctor ordered!
26th of December: April, June or September?
A Happy Christmas and a New Year full of Belgian Discoveries! Yes, it’s my final post of 2015. But what a strange day. 14 degrees warm, and in the direct sunshine, as hot as a day in June. Not good from the perspective of the planet’s climate, but so good to get some sunshine in December.
Langdorp: A trip down memory lane
A 14 km walk through forests, fields and heathland, and a visit to the past. Why? We used to live in Langdorp, over 20 years ago. We spent 3 years there, and I haven’t been back since. Will I recognize it? Will it have changed? Read on to find out!
Armistice Day 1918: What Happened Next?
Armistice Day 1918 marked the end of the First World War. We tend to think “phew, that was that!” and believe that people could finally get “back to normal”. But to the Flemish returning to Flanders Fields, they were greeted by desolation and danger. It marked the start of a huge clear-up of the devastated landscape.
