A 15 km loop around the Nisramont lake, in the municipality of Houffalize. A lake circuit that does not just hug the water: 597 metres of climbing, trails that go up and down without a break, and the confluence of the two Ourthes. A Belgian gem, as long as you avoid the weekend.
A Monday off, the Nisramont lake almost entirely to myself. That is exactly how this loop should be done. The place is a Belgian gem, but also a busy classic: at the weekend it is packed. On a weekday, it is a different story.
A lake loop that feels like the mountains
You set off expecting a quiet path along the water, and you find something else entirely. The loop climbs and drops without a break, with a few proper hills that wake up your thighs. On the clock: 597 metres of climbing over 15 kilometres. For a lake circuit, that is unexpected.
Some sections run on slightly mountainous trails, narrow and rocky in places. That is what gives this hike its character: you are in the Ardennes, but it feels like the mountains. A real surprise for anyone expecting a flat stroll by the water.
💧 The confluence of the two Ourthes
The highlight of the route is the confluence. The Eastern Ourthe and the Western Ourthe meet here to form a single Ourthe, which then feeds the Nisramont lake downstream of the dam. In this wooded valley floor, watching the two rivers melt into one another has something peaceful about it.
In places the water takes on that amber tint typical of Ardennes streams, between grassy banks and slopes covered in broadleaf trees. A few covered viewpoints, perched over the edge, offer nice windows onto the lake winding between the hills.
🥾 Start high to skip the crowds
The usual car park sits at the dam, where everyone parks. My tip: start a little higher up. It adds 1 to 2 kilometres and some climbing, but you park in peace and cut past the mass of visitors. I slept in my van on site the night before, to set off quietly in the early morning.
It helps all the more because the trails are not wide. Crossing groups at the weekend, on a path where you step on each other, spoils the pleasure a bit. On a weekday, the problem does not come up.
🧭 Practical notes
- 597 m of gain over 15 km, far more physical than a simple lake stroll. Bring your legs.
- Good shoes: some sections are narrow and stony, others damp near the water.
- Water and a snack, no refreshment stop on the loop.
- GPX track recommended, especially if you start from the top.
- Weekday preferably. At the weekend the place is saturated and the atmosphere is nothing like it.
- Respect the place: stay on the trails, do not cut across the banks, and carry out your rubbish. It is a fragile, heavily visited site that deserves care.
A hike I genuinely recommend, as long as you play the timing. Come on a weekday, start from the top, and you leave with the image of an Ardennes lake that thinks it is a corner of the mountains.
Getting to the start
The usual car park is at the Nisramont dam, where everyone parks. My tip: start a little higher up. It adds 1 to 2 km and some climbing, but you get a quiet spot and dodge the crowds, especially at the weekend. I slept in my van on site the night before to set off in peace. The trails are narrow in places, so crossing groups is no fun, one more reason to come on a weekday.
Please respect local rules:
- Never park in front of a field entrance or on private property.
- Do not block farm accesses.
- Stay discreet, especially early in the morning or late in the evening.
- And if a local says something, keep it friendly: it is their home.
Gallery
8 photos, click to enlarge
Garmin track
Full recording of the outing: GPS track, elevation, speed, heart rate when available.
Downloadable GPX track
Download the GPS track to import it into your watch or app (Garmin Connect, Komoot, Gaia GPS...).
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Animated maps and real-time forecasts
Even in Belgium, the weather can turn a quiet outing into a rough day. A big thunderstorm in the forest is never pleasant (and sometimes dangerous), thick fog can easily disorient you, and a good downpour turns trails muddy, slippery and exhausting.
Questions fréquentes
A lake loop with 597 metres of climbing, is that normal?
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Yes, and that is the surprise. You picture a flat path hugging the water, and you end up climbing and descending without a break, with a few proper hills. Over 15 km, 597 metres of gain works your legs. That is what gives this loop a mountain feel you would not expect around a Belgian lake.
Why avoid the weekend?
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Because it is a very touristy spot, and on Saturday and Sunday it is packed. The trails are not wide, so crossing groups breaks the calm and the sense of isolation you came for. On a weekday I had the lake almost to myself. If you can take a day off, do it here.
Where do you park to start in peace?
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The Nisramont dam car park is the usual starting point, and that is where everyone gathers. Start a little higher: it adds 1 to 2 km, but you park quietly and skip the crush. For the night, I slept in my van on site with no problem.
What is the confluence of the two Ourthes?
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It is the point where the Eastern Ourthe and the Western Ourthe meet to form the Ourthe. The Nisramont lake sits just downstream, held back by the dam. Watching the two rivers join in that wooded valley floor is one of the highlights of the loop.
Do you need the GPX track?
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Recommended. The loop stays readable, but a few forest junctions and the high start are not always obvious. The track saves you hesitation and backtracking. Download available for logged-in users.