Imagine hiking near a water stream that runs between rocks and trees, creating small waterfalls as it goes down. This is Ninglinspo, one of Belgium’s most unique hikes, and an ideal day trip to get outside the city and spend a day in nature.
Located in the southern part of Belgium, within the Ardennes, Ninglinspo is the perfect hike for all types of visitors. From more experienced hikers to families looking to do a fun activity with children, Ninglinspo will not disappoint you. So put on your hiking shoes, and join me while we explore the Ninglinspo Valley.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT NINGLINSPO
Ninglinspo is considered one of the most beautiful hikes in Wallonia and after having completed it myself, I can easily understand why. Walking next to the water stream, while you cross it through many wooden bridges, will bring you the necessary peace and relaxation after a busy week of office work.
Before we begin to explore the beauty of this hike, here are some interesting facts about Ninglinspo:
- Ninglinspo is the only existing mountain river in Belgium.
- The small river, runs with such speed and force that it has eroded the rocks around it, creating small waterfalls and natural basins along its way.
- Did you know you can swim in these little basins? It is the perfect place to take a refreshing dip if it gets too warm or for kids to splash in the water.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE HIKE
And what about the practicalities of this hike? How do you get there? Is there anything you need to bring with you? Well, let’s not wait anymore and get into it.
GETTING TO NINGLINSPO
Ninglinspo is located next to the small town of Aywaille and not far from the small town of Spa.
Getting to Ninglinspo from Brussels is quite easy by car. Just take the E40 until Liege and then continue on the E25 until you reach Exit 46 – Remouchamps. At this point, exit the highway and follow N633 for approximately 7km until you reach the hike.
🅿️ Parking: There is a medium parking lot next to the trailhead. I recommend getting there as early as possible to be sure you get a parking spot. This hike is very popular and the parking lot can fill up fast.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
The hike is not difficult at all. However, here is a list of things that will make your hike more enjoyable and guarantee a fantastic time.
- Proper hiking shoes. The trail runs next to the water which means some areas of the trail are damp and can be a bit slippery. Wearing hiking shoes with a good grip will make it easier for you. During the summer months, I always use my Altra Lone Peak 6 during the summer as they are super light and comfortable.
- A swimsuit and a light towel. If it gets too warm during the hike, you can always take a refreshing dip on the small basins to cool down. If you want to do so, you’ll need a bathing suit and a light towel to dry yourself afterwards.
- A reusable water bottle. Hydration while hiking is key and during the summer months even more. Make sure to bring plenty of water for the complete hike. I used this Klean Kanteen Water bottle. Another option is to bring a water filter in case you run out of water.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE THE HIKE
Here are a few things to know before going on this hike.
- This hike is a very popular one. I recommend getting there as early as possible to beat the crowds. However, if this is not possible for you, don’t worry. We got there at around 10:30 in the morning and, even though, there were people there, it was not too dramatic.
- The amount of water in the Ninglinspo River will depend on the season you do this hike. We did this hike in July and the water flow was a bit low. If you want to see a more powerful stream of water, I would recommend doing this hike in spring.
THE BEAUTIFUL NINGLINSPO HIKE IN THE BELGIAN ARDENNES
HIKE STATS
Trail Start/End – Ninglinspo Parking lot (exact location in the map at the end of this blog).
Distance – 6,4 km
Elevation Gain – 240 m
Level – Easy – Moderate
Route Type – Circular Route
Estimated Time Needed – 2 hours and 30 minutes. This includes plenty of time to stop for a picnic, relax, and enjoy the scenery.
Best Time To Visit – Between May and September, to increase your chances of good weather.
MY EXPERIENCE HIKING ninglinspo
Hiking next to the river
During the first part of the hike, the trail runs along the Ninglinspo River. You begin the hike by going uphill along the water. The trail intertwines with the water stream and you have to cross it many times. In the shallow areas, you can cross it by wading through the water, and in the deeper crossing, there are wooden bridges to help you.
While you hike up, you will encounter many small waterfalls like “Cascade de la Chaudière” and small basins like “Bain du Venus” or “Bain d’Hermes”. Around these basins, you will have to cross a total of 20 wooden bridges! It was a beautiful experience to enjoy on a summer day.
The hike is mostly easy, despite being uphill. However, we encountered some rocky areas that were a bit wet and slippery. It was nothing too complicated but that is what made me rate the hike as easy-moderate instead of just easy.
Walking on the higher part of the mountain
After crossing the 20 bridges, we left Ninglinspo River behind and continued the ascent until we reached a “flat” area. This area was not that special and there was not that much shade. The highlight of this part is when you reach the Drouet Panorama View which gives you a nice view above the valley.
Return to the Parking Lot
The rest of the hike was just descending through an area full of woods until we reached the Parking Lot where we began our hike.
ACCOMMODATION
If you don’t feel like driving both ways on the same day, you can also book accommodation in the area and make it a weekend getaway. We did this as a day trip from Brussels but there are many other things to do near Ninglinspo.
Here are some recommendations I would book for myself if I was to spend a night there.
OTHER THINGS TO DO NEAR NINGLINSPO
If you’re visiting for the weekend or, even on the same day, as the hike is only 6km long, here are some other activities to do in the area.
- Visit the town of Spa and enjoy its thermes! Did you know that this is the town where the term spa originated?
- On the way back to Brussels, take a small detour to Borgloon and visit “Reading Between the Lines Sculpture”. This art display by Gijs Van Vaerenberg had been on my bucketlist for a long time. So I decided to make a small detour and finally visit it!
MAP WITH LOCATIONS
HIKE SUMMARY AND INFOGRAPHIC
No time to read the full blog post? Here’s an infographic I’ve created with the most important information about this hike.
And that’s it for my blog about Ninglinspo. I hope you liked it and found it useful. Let me know what you think in the comments!
Happy hiking!
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