A hiking route where you climb into caves, encounter Roman ruins and admire stunning views from underground passages. This is how you could briefly describe Parc de Furfooz. I bet you’ve seen a photo of Parc de Furfooz before. You know, that green view over the Lesse Valley from a cave. This and much more can be discovered during a 4 km hike through this nature reserve!
Practical Information:
- Distance: 4 km
- Duration: 2 hours
- Start: Réserve Naturelle de Furfooz
- Signs: wooden signs
- Difficulty Level: easy
New: e-book ’25 Best Hikes in Belgium’
This e-book provides you with everything you need to discover the most beautiful hiking trails in Belgium. From detailed route descriptions to the best sights along the way – from now on you will be fully prepared to hit the road.
Starting at the Parking of Park Furfooz
The Park of Furfooz is located in the township of Furfooz, not far from Dinant, and near the castles of Vêves and Walzin. Just before the entrance of the park, there is a large parking area where you can park your car for free. The road to the parking lot is, to say the least, bumpy. So, be careful as you navigate this narrow lane full of potholes.
The Hiking Route
To enter the park, there is an admission fee. Adults pay 5 euros to do the hike. The money goes to the preservation of the nature reserve and the archaeological treasures it holds. Shortly after entering, you come across a replica of a Roman bathhouse. After finding the remnants, they decided to rebuild the bathhouse as accurately as possible so that we can admire it today. The building is not very large but offers a nice glimpse of what a Roman bathhouse must have looked like.
Then, you climb further up until you reach a viewpoint. This is also the highest point of the hike, where you are treated to a beautiful view over the Lesse valley. On the hill, you also come across the remains of a Roman fort, later transformed into a fortified stronghold in the Middle Ages.
But what really catches your attention is the ‘Trou du Grand Duc’. When you descend the stairs to this hole, you arrive at the most breathtaking view of the park. This is without a doubt one of the highlights of the hike.
Once you follow the wooden arrows further, you descend towards the Lesse River. Along the way, you come across numerous holes and caves. My personal favourite is ‘Trou du Nutons’. When you walk into this hole, you truly feel incredibly small. The Grotte de la Gatte d’Or is also worth entering. Here you find yourself in a genuinely dark cave.
And there are more small holes and caves along the entire hike. By the time you finally reach the river, you have passed a treasure trove of prehistoric discoveries. Not to mention the beautiful nature that embraces these archaeological discoveries.
On the banks of the Lesse, you are greeted in summer by numerous kayakers paddling down the river with their rented kayaks from Dinant Evasion. You also come across a small snack bar. Here you can buy a healthy snack and a refreshing drink to relax in the sun by the babbling river.
Behind the bar, the path continues upwards again. After a steep climb, you are again treated to caves and tunnels. The last one you will encounter on the path is Puits Des Vaux. If you want to get a good look at this, you briefly leave the path and cross a small bridge to the left. After this last discovery, the route leads you back to the parking lot.
Important: bring sturdy shoes that can handle a bit of mud in wet weather and that have a good grip so you don’t slip.
Good to Know
- Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in Parc de Furfooz.
- It is not possible to do the hike with a stroller because there are many stairs along the way.
- This hike should not be a problem for children. In fact, it is very impressive!
- You can get a map with more information at the entrance.
- Opening hours: from April to early November, from 10 am to 5 pm (4 pm during winter time)
Staying in the neighbourhood
New: e-book ’25 Best Hikes in Belgium’
This e-book provides you with everything you need to discover the most beautiful hiking trails in Belgium. From detailed route descriptions to the best sights along the way – from now on you will be fully prepared to hit the road.
