Les Enneilles: a half-and-half walk through forest and open country between Ourthe and Condroz

Brief description of this half-and-half walk through forest and open country

The walk takes you to some magnificent vantage points over the Ourthe and the Ardennes. It also reveals the folded relief of the Condroz.

The path can be difficult in wet weather (so wellingtons or walking boots are essential), but is generally in good condition.

Notes

Leaving the village, this walk follows part of the Ri des Soûrdants stream, which forms part of the municipal boundary with Somme-Leuze.
A little further on, a young oak and hornbeam wood, which is home to numerous great spotted woodpeckers, takes you up to a ridge of the Famenne. At the top, there is a breath-taking view of the folded relief of the Condroz and the conifer-clad slopes of the Ardennes.

The Ardenne

When you look at the landscape from a high point in the Ardennes, the horizon is always flat. Its form corresponds to the old peneplain (final state of erosion), stripped of cover. In other words, the relief of the Ardennes is not mountainous: it is a plateau incised with notches of varying sizes.

In this village, a Natagora nature reserve protects the characteristic flora of dry shale grassland. Located in the heart of the Famenne, the site’s landscape is wonderful. It includes a multitude of interesting habitats, including flower-rich meadows, limestone hills, water meadows and woods with apple trees. This little paradise of butterflies and orchids is well worth a visit!

Practical information

Start: Grande Eneilles (church)
Waymarker: blue rectangle
Distance: 11 km
Approximate duration: 3 hours 40 minutes
Level of difficulty: moderate
Defining features: forest – open country – boots in wet weather