Hike around Lake Gileppe

The cold and snow have settled in Belgium, we are heading to Lake Gileppe located in the Upper Ardennes, a 1 hour 30 minute drive from Brussels.

The Gileppe dam is a well-known tourist spot in Belgium and therefore, despite its very large parking lot, it is not uncommon to have trouble finding a parking space during peak season.

We therefore advise you to leave early if you want to enjoy this place in the summer.

Once the car is parked, you can already enjoy a panoramic view of the lake and its dam. If you have the opportunity, we advise you to go to the panoramic restaurant located at the top of a tower perched 77m above the dam.

The dam is overseen by a 13m-high majestic stone lion sculpture looking east.

The two towers located in the lake house pumps to collect the purest water from the lake and return it to surrounding towns.

If you're interested, it's possible to take a guided tour of the dam.

Several hiking trails around the lake are available, ranging from 3 km to 14 km, as well as 3 cycling routes, which you can find on the dam's website.

We decided to walk around the lake following the approximately 14 km hiking trail departing from the dam, which is only challenging due to its length. (You will find the GPX track of our walk at the end of the article).

The trail follows the shores of the lake through pine forests, alternating between small paths, dirt roads, and pedestrian routes.

The snow and winter colors give the place a magical quality; we will not fail to admire the lake from the numerous viewpoints along the way.

Lake Gileppe is a unique place in Belgium and is definitely worth a visit!

We will certainly return in the summer to discover it in a different light!