Ardennes
The Ardennes is a cycling playground tucked into the rolling hills of southeastern Belgium. It’s a land of deep forests, winding valleys, and punchy climbs that seem to rise one after the other. The scenery is lush and green for most of the year, with quiet country roads threading through sleepy villages and thick woodland. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and made for exploring on two wheels.
This region is best known to cyclists for one reason: the Spring Classics. Every April, the pros come here to tackle one of the hardest races on the calendar Liège-Bastogne-Liège. It’s one of the oldest races in the world and a true test of grit and climbing strength. As you ride through the same roads, it’s impossible not to feel the history under your wheels.
The Ardennes is big enough to keep you riding new roads all week(end). The network of roads here is excellent, with a good mix of quiet backroads and main routes. Most climbs are short but steep, with gradients often kicking up well over 10%. You’ll rarely find long alpine-style ascents.
Some of the most iconic climbs are waiting for you here. Côte de la Redoute is the most famous, with its graffiti-covered surface and sharp ramps. Then there’s Stockeu, brutally steep and with a monument to Eddy Merckx. Côte de Wanne is another Ardennes classic, twisting up through trees before opening to wide views. These aren’t easy climbs, but they’re full of character.
The weather can be unpredictable, especially in spring, but that’s part of the Ardennes charm. Expect cool mornings, sudden showers, and the occasional burst of sun that lights up the hills. It’s all part of what makes this place feel raw and real. Perfect for riders who want to challenge themselves in a truly historic cycling heartland.
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Best time to ride
The best time to ride is from late spring through autumn. Watching the spring classics, you might picture sunshine, but don’t forget the drenched riders powering through the rain. Summer offers warm, mostly dry conditions, though you’ll be sharing the road with more tourists. Then autumn hits, and the roads quiet down while the trees put on a show. Riding in the Winter? It’s not for everyone, but if you’re up for it, it builds serious grit.
Read moreWhere to stay
Base Towns
Houffalize
Houffalize is a peaceful Ardennes town, perfect for those who want to get off the beaten track. It’s surrounded by quiet country roads and long climbs that suit steady endurance riding.
The town is small but welcoming, with good cyclist-friendly hotels and plenty of quiet loops in every direction. From here, it’s also an easy ride into the Luxembourg side of the Ardennes.
It's a great base for riders who want tranquility, long days in the saddle, and a taste of rural Wallonia.
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Accommodations (9)
Places in Ardennes that welcome you and your bike.
Cafe courerur Houffalize
Hotel Café Coureur sits in Houffalize, a great basecamp for some of the best road rides in the Ardennes. The weekend package covers breakfast, Friday pasta, and a Saturday BBQ.
You’ve got a wash station, repair stand, and locked storage for your bike.
Ideal for groups of any size. Whether you’re booking a room or staying in one of their chalets or studios, there’s space for up to six.
Holidaypark Les Ardennes
Right near Vielsalm in the heart of the Ardennes, Holidaypark Les Ardennes offers a mix of nature, comfort and a family friendly vibe. From here, you can spin out in just about any direction with plenty of route options. It’s a solid pick for families looking to balance active days with leisure moments.
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How to get there
- By Car: easy to reach by car, with direct access via the E25 and E42 motorways.
- Public transport: Liege links smoothly with Brussels, Paris, Maastricht, Aachen, and Frankfurt. Local trains can take you deeper into the Ardennes. You can bring your bike on any train in Belgium as long as there’s enough space on board. You’ll need to buy a separate ticket for your bike, either at the station or online.
- By Plain: Fly into Brussels for the best international connections. Or, for a closer arrival, Liege Airport (LGG) offers regional options.
Bike Rentals (0)
Most riders bring their own bikes to the Ardennes, so road bike rentals are hard to come by. For a solid rental, your best bet is the Flemish Ardennes or Zuid-Limburg just across the border.
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Shops (5)
MUR - Coffee & Cycling
Café Mur also has a small shop area with cycling gear. You’ll find apparel, helmets, and accessories from MUR Cycling Apparel, MAAP, Sweet Protection, Alba Optics, and more.
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Cafes & bars (13)
Bakery Fonk - Sankt Vith
Great mid-ride stop at Bakery Fonk. Whether you're grabbing a quick coffee or settling in for lunch, there are plenty of tasty sweet and savory options either way.
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Popular Climbs (15)
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Baraque Michel (from Trois Marets)
10.03km | 327m | 3.2%
With 10 km of steady climbing, this is one of the longest efforts you’ll find in Belgium. It kicks off in Bévercé with a few winding turns before you settle into the long, straight climb up to Baraque Michel. The gradient stays gentle, but you’ll still notch about 330 meters of elevation. At the top, you’re rewarded with a fast, flowing drop into Eupen.
Just be mindful. Most of the climb sticks to the main road. Traffic can be close at times since the cycle path runs next to the main road, so stay sharp.
Col de Haussire
3.76km | 266m | 6.7%
The Col de Haussire can be tackled from a few sides, but this south-facing approach is a bit friendlier than the tougher western route. It kicks off with 2 kilometers at around 6% as you ride through the forest. After that, the gradient jumps into the double digits. The road twists upward in long, winding bends that can throw off your sense of pace. By the time you hit the top, you’ll have climbed over 270 meters.
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Cycling Routes (11)
Up and Down
90.1km | 1575m
Set out from Houffalize for this 90 km ride. It’s all ups and downs almost no flat cruising here. Midway through, you’ll climb the Col de Haussire, a climb that always makes an impression.
Feeling strong at the end? Add a little bonus loop and take on the Côte de Saint-Roch. It’s short, steep, and the perfect way to cap off the day.
Mini Liege-Bastonge-Liege
180km | 2750m
Don’t feel like riding the full Liège–Bastogne–Liège? This challenging 180 km route is a perfect way to tap into the best of the full route.
The first half heads south with steady, rolling terrain that gently climbs. Once you turn back toward Liège, the famous climbs follow in a fast pace. Expect icon climbs like Côte de Wanne, Col du Stockeu, Col du Rosier, La Redoute, Côte des Forges, and a finale on Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons before descending back into Liege.
Spa-Liege-Spa
155km | 2760m
This long, challenging route out of Spa takes you deep into the Parc Naturel des Sources, all the way to Liège and back. Spanning 155 km with 2,760 meters of climbing, it's packed with tough, lesser-known climbs .l keep you honest. It’s the kind of ride that guarantees a full day in the saddle and plenty of stories to bring home.
Stavelot - Vielsalm loop
56.4km | 650m
If you're after a shorter, easier ride, this 56 km loop is a solid pick for any type of rider.
The toughest bit comes right out of the gate as you roll out of Stavelot. But once you top that first climb, tit's all gentle terrain. When you reach Vielsalm, it's a good spot to stop and refuel.
Loop du France
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Reviews
Write a review Write a reviewExperiences from riders who have been here
Mathijs
Riding in the Ardennes is always an adventure! The landscape changes so quickly, and so does the weather. The roads are relatively quite, the climbs never look too long on paper, but you’ll definitely feel them by the end of the day. I love how the area has plenty of riding to offer but it's also easy to escape into the Nationalpark Eifel or Luxembourg for new roads and climbs.