The Hautes Fagnes, straddling Wallonia and the German-speaking Community, are home to Belgium’s highest point, in a landscape of peat bogs and conifer forest unique in the country, criss-crossed by gravel tracks around its protected nature reserve.
A peaty plateau between forests and moorland
From Eupen, the tracks head into the spruce forests surrounding the Hautes Fagnes plateau, toward the Baraque Michel and then Malmedy, skirting the nature reserve and its open peat bogs along the periphery. Expect around 40 km and 500 m of elevation gain for a loop representative of the region, on generally rolling terrain that can turn waterlogged depending on the weather.
Getting the ride right
Versatile gravel tyres around 40-45mm suit most of the forest and peat-track periphery of the reserve. Weather can change very quickly on this exposed plateau, with fog common even in summer: light rain layers are worth carrying whatever the season.
When to go
May to October, as winter often leaves the tracks muddy or even snow-covered at this altitude, relatively high for Belgium. Summer offers the best conditions, though weather can stay cool and changeable compared with the rest of the country.
Good to know
Eupen, the main town of Belgium’s German-speaking Community, offers a decent choice of accommodation, with convenient access to Malmedy and Spa for extending the stay to other Ardennes classics.
