The Bayehon waterfall, or Cascade de Bayehon, is also known as the most beautiful waterfall in Belgium. And at 9 meters high, it is undoubtedly one of the most impressive. But not only the Bayehon waterfall itself, also the hike towards it is more than worth it! Through forests, over wooden bridges and along the babbling Bayehon River, you walk an easy but breathtaking trail. Sounds interesting doesn’t it?
I myself did this hike in the snow, which immediately added an extra magical dimension to the route. In other words, in any season, this hike is worth it! Whether you come hiking in spring, summer, autumn or winter, the waterfall of Bayehon as well as the surrounding forest will never cease to amaze you.
Distance: 12.6 km
Duration: 3 – 4 hours
Difficulty: easy
Start: Rte du Bayehon 64, 4960 Malmedy
Signs: red rectangles (stag)
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Start at Moulin du Bayehon
The trail starts at Moulin du Bayehon, a cosy restaurant where you can stop for a snack and a drink after the hike. But beware, you don’t have to drive all the way down the driveway to the restaurant, as the parking is for customers only. Park your car along the main road next to the information board about the walk.
By the way, you should take a good look at this one before you start. There are several routes with red rectangles, distinguished by little symbols in the top right-hand corner. For this walk, it is important to follow the red rectangle with the little deer!
Tip: Is the car park here full? Then park your car in the village of Longefaye and start the route from there.
Bayehon waterfall trail
Once your car is safely parked at the side of the road, dive into the forest. Right from here you walk along the little river Bayehon, a babbling stream that will accompany you for a large part of the trail, at least as far as the Bayehon waterfall!
The first part you walk along paved paths with the river, occasionally crossing a wooden bridge or scrambling over a wooden path. Be careful though, as this can be very slippery in wet weather! And I wouldn’t want you to slip into the water.
In the snow, the spruce trees provide a beautiful panorama along the way, and the river also does its best by forming mini waterfalls every now and then. After a few good kilometers of walking, you will arrive at the Bayehon waterfall. If you don’t see it right away, you will definitely hear it! Indeed, when it has rained well, this is a strong stream.
You can sit on a bench at the top and enjoy the panorama for a while. Or you can be the daredevil and clamber down to the bottom of the waterfall. This is also a great point to snap a photo, or if temperatures allow, dip your feet in the water for a while. Be careful though, as the descent towards it is not an official path and quite steep!
Once you have passed the waterfall, you have two choices. Either return and make it a short route of about 5 km, or continue towards the High Fens for the full 12.6 km.
Want to shorten? Then walk a little further until you come to a wider road (Chemin du vieux Chêne). Turn left here instead of straight ahead and walk towards the hamlet of Longefaye. Just follow this lane to the end and you’ll be back on the trail. That way you’ve bypassed most of it. Easy!
Prefer to continue for the full route? Then follow the river further straight ahead until you arrive at the High Fens. Here you walk on traditional wooden boardwalks straight through the fens. Right through Fagne du Setay, a beautiful stretch of fens that is also less known and therefore quieter.
After walking through the High Fens for a few km, the route turns again to return to the village of Longefaye. Here you walk again through the pine trees until you reach the hamlet. Then you descend via a fairly steep path all the way back to the river Bayehon where you started the hike a few hours ago. The last km you walk the same path again before arriving at your car!
Tip: be sure to have a drink at Moulin du Bayehon! This restaurant has something uber cosy and reminded me of a mountain hut in the French Alps. Order a beer there or do like me and eat a delicious flammkuchen!
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Good to know:
- Dogs can walk with you (on a leash) on the route.
- Bringing a buggy is too difficult, as the path soon becomes a bit too adventurous.
- Most of the route runs along muddy forest paths so make sure you have water- and mud-proof shoes.
- Are you also hiking in the snow? Then be sure to have shoes with enough grip or attach extra snow pins.
