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Lake of the Gileppe, Belgium

Hike around Lake Gileppe

13 February 2021

Lake Gileppe was formed following the construction of a dam in the late 19th century.
Located at the gates of the Hautes Fagnes, this spectacular site offers numerous activities and walks.

Arrival at the lake

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.

Parking

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.

The dam

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.

Pumps of the dam
Statue of lion

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.

Hiking around the lake

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).

Snowy path
Frozen water

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.

River
Lake frozen

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!

Practical information

Itinerary • GPX track of our walk to download here

Distance • 14km

Parking • Google Maps location to find here

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