The High Fens from Liège is the easiest nature day out there is: less than an hour’s drive and you are on the roof of Belgium. Peat bogs, boardwalks, wind and big skies. Here is how to plan a good day, taking into account the closures after the fire in summer 2026.
Botrange, the Park Centre and the boardwalks
The Signal de Botrange stands at 694 metres: the highest point in Belgium. You are on a wide plateau and the road climbs all the way to the car park. Behind the restaurant, a small mound with a staircase lets you reach a symbolic 700 metres.
Close by, the Maison du Parc Botrange (rue de Botrange 131, 4950 Waimes) welcomes visitors to the Hautes Fagnes-Eifel Nature Park: the FANIA exhibition, trail information, guided walks and e-bike hire. It is open on weekdays from 9am to 5pm, and at weekends and on public holidays from 10am to 5pm (closed on 24, 25, 26 and 31 December and 1 January).
The fens are peat bogs: waterlogged, very fragile ground. You cross them on boardwalks, wooden walkways laid over the mud. Some take a pram with large wheels or a wheelchair; others only let one walker through at a time. Stay on the marked paths and keep dogs on a lead. Fires, wild camping, picking plants and drones are banned in the reserve.
Closed areas: the red flag and the 2026 fire
The reserve has areas open on marked paths, areas you can only enter with an approved guide, and areas closed to the public. When the vegetation is too dry, the Nature and Forest Department raises the red flag at the entrance to some areas: no entry, because of the fire risk. Offenders risk a fine (150 euros during previous closures). A green flag means normal access.
In 2026, a major fire broke out on 14 August and destroyed more than 3,300 hectares, mainly in the municipalities of Baelen, Jalhay and Waimes. As of mid-October 2026, the burnt area and several nearby woods remain closed. Roads, official car parks, the Park Centre and the restaurants have reopened. Several fens that escaped the fire are open again, including the Fagne de la Poleur, the Fagne de Setai and the Brackvenn. In autumn, hunting days also close some woods on certain dates.
Getting there from Liège
By car
This is the easiest option: about 55 km and 45 minutes to an hour’s drive. On the motorway, take the Eupen or Malmedy exit, then follow the “Hautes Fagnes” signs. Only park in the official car parks (Maison du Parc, Signal de Botrange, Mont Rigi, Baraque Michel). Roadside parking is often banned because it gets in the way of emergency services.
By train and bus
Take the train from Liège-Guillemins to Verviers-Central (about 20 to 30 minutes, frequent trains). Then TEC bus 390 (Verviers – Rocherath) drops you at the “BOTRANGE Centre Nature” stop in roughly 30 to 45 minutes, but it only runs a few times a day. Another option: the train to Eupen, then bus 394 or E23. Check the return times on the TEC website before you go: missing the last bus up there is no fun.
Walk ideas
All these loops are waymarked. Check that they are open before you go.
- At the top of Belgium (about 5.4 km, starting at Botrange): easy, suitable for prams and wheelchairs.
- Through the Botrange Fens (about 6.4 km): starts at the Park Centre or the Signal.
- The Poleur Fen (5 to 9 km depending on the loop): starts at Baraque Michel, Mont Rigi or Botrange; beautiful and easy.
- The Mont Rigi Walk (about 7.2 km): starts at Mont Rigi or Baraque Michel.
- The Bayehon Waterfall: starts at Longfaye, on the Malmedy side, more wooded.
To enter the areas reserved for guided visits, the Park Centre runs accompanied walks.
Combine it with Spa or Malmedy
Spa is about 25 minutes away by car: a pleasant centre, the Parc de Sept Heures and tea rooms. Malmedy is even closer, about a quarter of an hour away: an old town centre, a cathedral and walks along the Warche. A typical day: leave Liège around 9am, walk in the morning, picnic on the plateau, then head down to Spa or Malmedy in the afternoon. By train and bus, it is better to focus on the Fens.
Mr Schaka’s practical tips
- Check access the same morning: the red flag, the burnt area and hunting can all close paths.
- Bring an extra layer: on the plateau it is often cooler than in Liège and the weather changes fast.
- Wear proper walking shoes: even with the boardwalks, the paths are often wet.
- Take water and a snack: there are few places to eat away from the main car parks.
- In winter, wind, snow and ice are common on the plateau: drive carefully.
- Never drop a cigarette end and never leave the boardwalks: peat burns and gets damaged very easily.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the High Fens after the 2026 fire?
Yes. The burnt area and its surroundings remain closed, but many fens, the car parks, the Park Centre and several waymarked walks have reopened (situation as of mid-October 2026).
What does the red flag mean in the High Fens?
It signals a high fire risk: access to some areas of the reserve is then banned. A green flag means normal access.
Can you get to Botrange from Liège without a car?
Yes, by train to Verviers-Central and then TEC bus 390 to the “BOTRANGE Centre Nature” stop. Buses are infrequent, so check the timetable before you go.
The book
Liège is also the setting of Oscar’s Notebook, Mr Schaka’s mystery series: the Meuse, the fog and investigations led with humour by Victor Lenoir and the mysterious Oscar.
