Hiking in this nature reserve is only allowed on the prepared and marked paths. The landscape of the Fens is characterised by low gradients and predominantly flat grounds, without major technical difficulties. In the surrounding forests, on the other hand, you will find deep river valleys as well as dry ones with steeper landscapes.
Some larger footbridges that lead through the high moor are also suitable for wheelchairs and prams with large wheels. The wooded areas of the High Fens are pervaded by hundreds of kilometres of asphalt roads and forest tracks, making them a paradise for cyclists as well as wheelchairs and prams.
Wooden walkways - on planks through the wonderland
Hiking in the High Fens is only permitted along the marked paths and on the kilometre-long wooden footbridges. And that for good reason! No hiker would be able to explore the moor dry-shod and without danger to life and limb.
The deep mud, which treacherously looks like a flat carpet of mosses, bushes and heather, hides deep muddy ditches or holes, in which you can quickly sprain your ankle or sink in waist-deep. Real high moors are almost inaccessible, even with good footwear.
This is where you stand in front of the wilderness of primeval times. On the bridges, planks and boards that lead through the patchwork of impressive peat moss hills, humps, heather vegetation, moors and forests, you can experience the High Fens in a particularly relaxed and immediate manner. Anyhow, the most fascinating element is the nearly infinite view.
You will pass under knobby birches and willows, on which countless species of mosses and lichens thrive. It is impressive, how the path leads from one panoramic view to the next, giving structure to the gently undulating land and this peculiar mystical flair of primeval times.
Access to the High Fens for hikers
The nature reserve is divided into three zones:
| B-zones: | C-zones: | D-zones: |
|---|---|---|
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Entering is only allowed on marked paths and if certain rules are obeyed (please follow the signs on site). |
Entry is only permitted to people accompanied by an accredited nature guide from the Nature and Forest Administration. |
Public access is strictly forbidden. |
For your information and safety, hunting dates and other specific closures are displayed daily in the hiking route planner. If you click on the grey square with the exclamation mark (at the top of the map), you can enter the date on which you are planning a hike. The screen will then show you the areas that are closed on that day. Especially in autumn, it is advisable to check before each hike whether the hiking trails you are planning are open or not. During the hunting season, in addition to the information in the route planner, pay particular attention to the signs posted by hunters at the forest entrances.
The accessibility of certain parts of the fens is also indicated by a flag. If the flag is green, everything is normally accessible. If the flag is red, certain areas are marked as inaccessible. The flag is updated daily, and you can find the information here.
Walks
Family walks
Walks with a dog
Brochures
| Pleasure tours brochure | High Fens Map |
|---|---|
| The most popular pleasure tours in East Belgium combined in a single, compact booklet. | What makes the High Fens nature reserve so unique and why is it a habitat for rare animal and plant species? The new High Fens folding map provides comprehensive information on the fauna and flora of this unique nature reserve and summarises the most important rules and tips for hikers and visitors. |
| > download (in german) | > download (in german, french & dutch) |
