Ovifat : Découverte des incontournables

Planning a few days in the High Fens and looking for a destination that combines nature , a variety of activities , and wonderful local discoveries? Ovifat is sure to charm you! Located at an altitude of 615 meters , this village in Waimes is among the highest in Belgium and boasts a particularly attractive location, just a stone's throw from the Signal de Botrange , Lake Robertville , and several of the region's must-see attractions. The Ardenne Résidences team will take you on a tour!

To begin your stay at a leisurely pace, the Ovifat orientation table is a simple yet particularly pleasant stop. Located at the top of the alpine ski slopes , it sits at an altitude of over 600 meters . On a clear day, the view stretches far across the Ardennes peaks, allowing you to truly appreciate the landscape. You gain a better understanding of the region's topography , the village's altitude, and how Ovifat opens onto the High Fens . Whether for a first photo, a quick break before heading out on a hike, or simply to enjoy a beautiful panorama without much effort, it's a sure bet!

Staying in Ovifat means having the High Fens practically at your fingertips. The High Fens-Eifel Nature Park covers 72,000 hectares and is one of the largest nature parks in Wallonia. It encompasses everything that makes the area so unique: heathland , peat bogs , forests , rivers , reservoirs , and traditional villages . In other words, it's the perfect playground for those who love hiking through diverse landscapes!

In practice, it's a destination that works just as well for a leisurely family stroll as for a proper day hike . It's precisely this diversity that's so appealing: within a few kilometers, you can cross a typical open area of the peat bogs, reach a more sheltered forest path, follow a stream , and arrive at a much more expansive viewpoint . If you enjoy nature getaways, Ovifat is one of those places where you'll immediately want to lace up your hiking boots again the next day.

It's also impossible to talk about Ovifat without mentioning the Signal de Botrange . Just a few minutes away, it marks the highest point in Belgium at 694 meters , in the heart of the Hautes-Fagnes state nature reserve . It's one of those places you like to "tick off" on your itinerary, as much for its symbolic value as for its stunning scenery.

But the Signal de Botrange is more than just a high-altitude marker. The site also serves as an excellent starting point for several walks and explorations in the High Fens. It's therefore a very easy stop to incorporate into a larger itinerary, for example by combining it with the nearby Maison du Parc .

Among the most popular walks in the area, the one to the Bayehon waterfall is undoubtedly the most sought-after. Valleys, forest paths, moorland landscapes, and a much wilder atmosphere unfold before you, leading to the waterfall where the Bayehon plunges into a more rugged and enclosed setting. If you're looking for an iconic walk around Ovifat , this is definitely one of the best options!

Another viewpoint not to be missed in the area is le Nez Napoléon . This rocky promontory , named for its striking silhouette seen in profile, offers a remarkable view of the Warche Valley and the wooded hills that surround it. It can be reached from several marked trails in the region, requiring only a modest effort for a rewarding view at the end. The site is suitable for families as well as more experienced hikers and can easily be incorporated into a half-day walk.

For those who prefer secluded landscapes to vast expanses of moorland, the Warche Valley offers an excellent alternative. The river meanders between wooded slopes in a tranquil setting, where footpaths allow you to discover the region from a more intimate perspective. You'll encounter stone bridges , shaded bends , and, in places, views that open up to the surrounding landscape. The walk is particularly enjoyable in spring and autumn .

When the snow arrives, Ovifat immediately regains its status as a leading winter sports destination in Belgium. The ski area offers three downhill ski runs with gradients ranging from 10 to 80% , as well as a toboggan run .

The site also boasts several cross-country ski trails, offering something for everyone, depending on their skill level and mood. If you love winter in its natural state, Ovifat is definitely one of the places to watch out for as soon as the first snow falls.

Just a few minutes from Ovifat , Lake Robertville offers a completely different atmosphere to your stay. The site allows you to rent several types of boats : electric boats , pedal boats , and rowboats . Kayaks and paddleboards are also available for rent nearby. An excellent option for a more playful and refreshing break between hikes in the High Fens.

If you prefer more dynamic activities, Ovifat also has plenty to offer. The surrounding area is ideal for mountain biking , with forest paths, smoother sections on the plateau, and some more technical sections, exactly as you would expect in this part of the Ardennes .

Finally, for a different way to explore the surrounding area, the e-scooter offers a unique option. Companies like AT Bike and Ardenne Activity offer guided tours on this all-terrain electric scooter, allowing you to explore woods and paths in a fun, quiet, and accessible way. A great idea if you're looking for something original without embarking on a long hike .

If there's one gourmet stop not to be missed in the area, it's the Belgium Peak Beer brewery. Located at the highest point in Belgium , a stone's throw from the Signal de Botrange and the Baraque Michel , it showcases beers brewed with water from the High Fens in a truly spectacular setting.

Because this place isn't just about tasting. On-site, you can also enjoy a restaurant , tours , and even ideas for walks starting from the brewery. It's exactly the kind of place that fits perfectly into a day trip around the Signal de Botrange : you come to taste the wines, but also to extend your experience of the region in a welcoming atmosphere.

Another great local stop: La Truite d'Ondenval . This artisanal workshop has been working for over 30 years with spring water of great purity, which contributes to the quality of its trout.

The visit is particularly interesting, as it offers a hands-on look at the aging tanks as well as the smoking and production workshop , by appointment . It's a great way to discover a unique local craft, ideal for lovers of regional products who like to understand what they're tasting!

To bring back a delicious souvenir or simply discover the best the region has to offer, La Fagnarde is well worth a visit! This local shop offers a selection of regional products from the High Fens and the Ardennes : jams , syrups , honeys , cured meats, cheeses , and other specialties are piled high on the shelves. Its strong local ties make it a truly ideal stop for lovers of fine food.

Reinhardstein Castle is undoubtedly the most remarkable heritage site to visit in the area. Perched on its rocky promontory above the Warche river , it can be explored during a guided tour lasting approximately one hour .

People come as much for the setting as for the exhibits. Inside, you'll discover a refurnished castle with its suits of armor , paintings , chests , tapestries , a chapel , and various rooms that recreate a truly authentic atmosphere . Even if you're not a medieval history enthusiast, the place is well worth a visit for its spectacular setting and the charm of the experience.

More unexpectedly, the Tour d'équilibre de Chôdes offers a different, more technical, but thoroughly interesting visit. Connected to the Robertville dam by a 5.5 km underground pipeline, it stands 38 meters above ground, with a total height of 64 meters . Its role is to regulate the water pressure before it leaves for the Bévercé hydroelectric power station, located 154 meters below.

This is certainly not the most typical visit of the trip, and that's precisely what makes it so interesting. It reveals another side of the region in a landscape often associated solely with nature or leisure activities . A worthwhile detour if you enjoy discovering slightly more unusual places!

To better understand the High Fens , the Maison du Parc-Botrange is an excellent place to stop. The site houses the Fania exhibition , a green shop , and, outside, several facilities that extend the visit.

The "Colors of the Fens" educational trail is one of the highlights of the site. Accessible to people with reduced mobility , it extends over 800 meters and includes 9 modules designed to help visitors discover the ecosystems and unique features of the region.

In addition, there is a children 's treasure hunt , a garden and a small playground , making it a perfect family visit.

The Ovifat Fun Park is located directly on the ski slopes . Outside of the winter season, the site transforms the slope into a life-size playground. Its most popular activity is mountain karting : you race down a 500-meter track in an all-terrain kart, then take the ski lift back up .

You can also try Archery Tag there, a team game combining archery and strategy, using foam-tipped arrows. The site also offers a giant 150-meter water slide , axe throwing , scavenger hunts, and multi-activity challenges. If you're looking for an activity that's a bit different from traditional hiking, this is definitely a great option to keep in mind.

For swimming , head to Robertville-les-Bains . The site is equipped and supervised in summer , with water officially recognized as suitable for swimming. There, you can enjoy a sunny lawn, a fine sandy beach for children, a playground , a diving board , and a water trampoline .

The place is very well equipped to spend several hours comfortably, with terraces , snacks, showers , changing rooms and toilets .

Ovifat has achieved something quite rare: offering, within a relatively small area , a true microcosm of the High Fens . You can go from a long hike to recreational activities on the slopes , from a castle to a swim , from a mountain brewery to a local producer . A complete, practical, and easy-to-experience destination, perfect for discovering the eastern Ardennes without ever running out of ideas. Interested? Don't hesitate to check out our list of holiday cottages in the region!