314 TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS
TENNIS
Belgium’s two great tennis
stars, Justine Henin and Kim
Clijsters, have made this game
particularly popular, and there
are now numerous outdoor
and indoor courts throughout
the country. The top-ranking
Proximus Diamond Games,
an international ladies tourna-
ment, takes place in Antwerp
in February. The umbrella
organizations for tennis in
Belgium and Luxembourg
are the Fédération Royale
Belge de Tennis and the
Fédération Luxembourgeoise
de Tennis respectively.
GOLF
There are several excellent
golf courses in Belgium, such
as the Royal Zoute Club in
Knokke. For Wallonia, these
are listed by the Association
Francophone de Golf Belge.
The governing body of the
sport is the Royal Belgian Golf
Federation. Luxembourg has
six major golf courses, includ-
ing Golf-Club Grand-Ducal,
7 km (4 miles) from the
capital city. Information is
available from the Fédération
Luxembourgeoise de Golf.
Horse riding through the undulating landscape at Oostduinkerke
ROCK-CLIMBING
The rivers of the Ardennes
have carved out some dramatic
gorges, with the result that
rock-climbing and mountain-
eering (alpinisme in French)
present rewarding challenges.
The best sites are in the val-
leys of the rivers Meuse and
Ourthe: the Club Alpin Belge
provides information. Pot-
holing, another hill pursuit,
is overseen by the Union
RAILBIKESOld Western comedy films
feature wheeled handcars
moved by pumping a pivoted
double handle. Visitors can
now do the same with pedal-
powered railbikes (draisines
in French) on some disused
railway lines. These family-
sized Railbikes of the Molignée
can be rented near Maredsous
(see p206), for circuits of up toICE-SKATINGDuring very cold winters, the
canals and ponds freeze over,
and become ideal for skating.
In December, towns such as
Brussels, Antwerp and Bruges,
create ice rinks in their central
squares as part of their
Christmas market attractions.
Skaters can also go to indoor
rinks year-round, for example
at Namur, Charleroi or Liège.MOTOR RACINGFormula 1 Grand Prix motor
racing takes place at the cir-
cuit in Spa-Francorchamps
(see p224). This is considered
by many aficionados to be
one of the most challenging
tracks. The race is held over a
weekend in early September.SKIINGWhen winter coats the higher
parts of the Ardennes with
snow, Belgians reach for their
skis. There are several centres
geared up for this sport. Some
have lifts for downhill skiing,
but cross-country skiing is the
primary pursuit. The main ski
areas are in the east and south:
around Spa, in the Cantons de
l’Est and in the Hautes Fagnes.
Tobogganing, snow-shoeing
and skidoo-ing are popular at
Bastogne, Martelange, Bouillon
and St-Hubert. In Luxembourg,
cross-country skiing is found
in the north, at places such as
Weiswampach, Asselborn and
Hosingen. Ardenne Tourisme
has a website with informa-
tion on snow conditions.HORSE RIDING
AND HORSE RACINGThere is plenty of opportunity
for riding in both these coun-
tries, with stables scattered
all over the region. Many
rural B&Bs provide riding
facilities, and some can even
stable their guests’ horses.
There is a good network of
accommodation linked by
routes for riders. This is run
by L’Association Wallonne
de Tourisme Equestre. Other
important riding associations
are the Fédération Belge des
Sports Equestres, Fédération
Francophone d’Equitation and
Fédération Luxembourgeoise
de Sports Equestres.
Horse racing takes place at
Oostende – the Hippodrome
Wellington hosts the Grand
Prix Prince Rose in July. The
Great Flanders Steeple Chase
takes place at Waregem in
August. The Hippodrome de
Wallonie at Mons is also a
key racing venue. The Jockey
Club de Belgique has details.14 km (8 miles). Railbikes are
also available at Tessenderlo,
near Diest (see p162–3).Belge de Spéléologie. In
Luxembourg, a permit must
be obtained from the Ministry
of Environment to climb in the
best-known area – Müllerthal,
near Berdorf (see p250).