Belgium and Luxembourg (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

WALLONIA 175

The Hautes Fagnes (see p223)

is an extensive raised plateau

of boggy moorland in the

east of the Province of Liège.

In winter, and on days of mist

and low cloud, these moors

can be powerfully gloomy

and desolate, but they also

have an austere beauty and

an abundance of unusual

flora and fauna. Here and

there, raised walkways have

been built to provide access

to the marshy interior.

Rock formations, created where blocks of harder rock have
resisted erosion, form major landmarks and are often named
after or associated with legends. There are noted rock climbing
sites on the River Meuse and in the valley of the River Ourthe.

Mountain bikers will find ideal

terrain here. There are well-

organized, signposted routes for

vététistes (from VTT for Vélo

Tout Terrain, or All Terrain

Bicycle). This includes Grand

Raid Godefroy, a 160-km (100-

mile) circuit around Bouillon.

Walkers are rewarded by a

landscape that is both gently

challenging and remarkably

varied. The tourist offices have

maps of recommended walks,

which include a part of the net-

work of Grande Randonnée

(GR) long-distance paths.