Guide to Belgium trekking holidays

Belgium offers some of the best lowland hiking in Europe. From the forests of the Ardennes to the vast network of waterways there’s plenty to be explored here. Many combine walking here with cycling and barge holidays. Given the relatively flat nature of the country even in the highlands Belgium trekking can be enjoyed by even those with low physical fitness.

While Belgium has no real mountains the south of the country is hilly and the Ardennes region is famous for being a thick forest that was falsely presumed impenetrable in the Second World War. Here you’ll find spectacular gorges and caves to explore.

Next to the Ardennes is the High Fens which is a large upland region nature reserve and includes the country’s highest point at 694 metres. The area offers stunning riverside walking with many of the country’s rivers have their source here.

Those looking for established routes should consider walking on Grande Randonne footpaths that are found across the entire country and even lead off into neighbouring France, Netherlands, and Germany. Look for the red and white cross as a way maker on these trials. While it’s possible to use these as circular walks many take advantage of the excellent train network to do A to B hikes.

The coastal region of the country is popular with day walkers but they can be combined into longer treks along the coast such as between Brugge and Dunkirk in France. Hiking from Antwerp into the Netherlands across the islands to Rotterdam is popular and includes amazing views of the North Sea.

Historical walks involving First World War trenches and memorials are popular and a great alternative to the typical coach tours of this region. Gigantic mine and shell craters dot the landscape and are almost as commonplace as the poppies the region became famous for when nothing else would grow.