The lake of Nisramont is known as one of the most idyllic places in Belgium to go hiking. The route around the lake is also called ‘Les Deux Ourthes’, after the two branches of the Ourthe that fill the reservoir with water. If walking on forest paths, enjoying views over a lake, and occasionally some climbs are your thing, then this Nisramont lake hike is definitely for you!
Practical Info:
- Distance: 15 km
- Duration: 4 hours
- Difficulty: difficult
- Start: Barrage de Nisramont
- Signs: red diamond
- Download GPX
Starting at the Nisramont dam
For this hike in Nisramont, the starting point is easy to find. After all, once you see the Nisramont dam looming in front of you, you know you’re in the right place! Next to the dam, you will find a large sign with more information about the hiking route and the road signs. Here you start the hike along the left side of the lake, straight into the forest.
Just before the dam, there is also a large parking lot so that you can easily park your car. Here you can park for free while you complete the walk. Ideal!
Tip: Although the Nisramont Lake hike takes 4 hours to actually walk, in reality it takes much longer with stops. So make sure to allow at least 5 hours to complete the entire route and make sure you are not surprised by the setting sun before you have walked the full 15 km!
The hiking route
Throughout the route, you will walk in the woods around the lake. If you decide to do this hike, like me, in autumn or winter, it may well be shrouded in a mysterious mist that floats over the mirror-smooth surface of the water. Of course, there is not much to see, but who knows, it might clear up just in time before you get to one of the viewpoints.
The walk continues up and down on narrow forest paths with a lot of treacherous tree roots until you reach the junction of the Ourthe. Here you walk a bit along the two branches, crossing the river each time. At the fork itself, you’ll be treated to a nice view of the valley, adorned by a work of art that resembles two huge wings called Avolare.
By the way, you are walking here in the nature park ‘Le Parc Naturel des deux Ourthes’, a protected area where nature can still take its course. You will also notice this in the paths you walk. There are no perfectly laid out hiking trails here but winding forest paths through the trees where it ends. This also results in a lot of altitude climb, no less than 685 meters! The walk is therefore not one of the easiest and requires a certain basic level of fitness. This may not be the walking route you want to start with as a novice hiker.
Accompanied by the red diamonds, you return to the dam from the fork on the other side of the lake. One of the highlights is therefore crossing this dam to get back to the starting point of the hike. Take your time to enjoy the difference in altitude between the lake on the one hand and the dry valley on the other. It’s quite impressive to see how such a sturdy structure can hold all that water together.
Tip: Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks with you during your trip. There is no possibility to buy anything or to refill water along the way.
Good to know
- Be sure to bring good hiking boots. The forest paths can be muddy and slippery in places.
- In autumn there is a hunting season here. So be sure to check the hunting calendar in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Dogs are allowed to walk on a lead.
- Be sure to bring plenty of drinks and snacks. There is no possibility to buy or refill anything along the way.
- It is not possible to do this route with a buggy. Most of the paths are narrow and unpaved.
