In the heart of the Ardennes and on the border with Germany, you will find this wonderful place to completely empty your mind: the valley of the Warche. First things first: the Warche is a river that originates in Büllingen, Germany and flows into the Amblève, near Malmédy.
A hike you should definitely try is one from the blog Trekking et Voyage. The walk is 12 km long and takes you along the beautiful green valley and several must-sees. Attention: During this hike you have to cross a part of the river, so like us, bring a small towel to dry your feet.
Highlights:
- Castle of Reinhardstein
- Beautiful waterfall
- Nez de Napoleon
 Starting point: Barrage de Robertville |
End Point: Barrage de Robertville
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 Height difference: 250m |
 Distance: 12km |
 Difficulty: Average |
 GPX file: Download
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Lunch:
No specific lunch spot, but plenty of options to choose a nice lunch spot with a view of the valley.
Description:
We chose to do the hike in autumn, which in our opinion is still the best period to enjoy the beauty of such a valley. The hike starts at the Robertville barrage and after a few hundred meters you'll soon discover one of the highlights of this hike: the Reinhardstein Castle. This 14th century castle, that was in ruins for a long time, is experiencing an extraordinary second youth since a historian fell in love with it. The castle was completely renovated during 18 months with the original materials. The castle is open to visitors.
The path then takes you to the Nez de Napoléon, which offers a magnificent panoramic view of the valley. The walk then continues downhill for a long section until it reaches the river. As mentioned above, the intention is to cross this river. You read it correctly: there is no bridge or path to cross the river. We chose to take off our shoes and cross it barefoot. The water is freezing cold, but during a nature walk, that is all part of the game and good for your health.
By the way, the starting point is also the finishing point, near Reinhardstein castle. Be sure to take the time to walk back up along the castle, where you will come across a beautiful and steep waterfall.
Small tip: When driving back, take a small stop in Malmedy at the Rocher de Falize, a breahtaking viewpoint that is worth a small detour.
More information and gpx file of this hike: