In winter months, when the temperatures in Brussels sink to one-digit figures, there could be snow in the Belgian highlands. These High Fens, or Hautes Fagnes in French, are located at some 140 kms from Brussels. By car the region can be reached in two hours, so not only as a weekend getaway, it serves as a good daytrip destination.

Hautes Fagnes, Hohes Venn in German, is a highland area at the Belgian and German border that consists of bogs. Signal de Botrange on the Belgian side is also the highest point in Belgium reaching 694 metres above sea level. Botrange area was ceded to Belgium in the Treaty of Versailles.

As there is no shortage of vanity in the world, Baron Baltia decided in 1923 to build a 6-metre tall tower (La butte Baltia) in order to reach the magical 700 metres. But this is naturally not considered as the official figure.

Snow starts in Eupen

The area is part of the Belgo-German nature reserve called Hautes Fagnes-Eifel and we decided to make a trip there on one sunny Saturday in January.

Even though the weather in Brussels was sunny and clear, it turned cloudy well before Liège and the amount of snow grew towards the east.

Good route coming from Brussels is to drive E-40 east past Liege and exit at Eupen. Then passing through the town of Eupen on to N68.

We were geared up warm, yet with jeans and Gore-Tex sneakers. Disbelief was taking over as we climbed up the road: “There is seriously . . .a bit of snow!”

Fortunately, we had brand new winter tyres on. When heading to the Ardennes in winter, it’s worth having good tyres on. The roads might be ploughed and salted, but one could be in serious trouble in shadowy spots or parking places with some Slickstones.

In Belgium you’re never alone

Roadsides were packed with cars and ski-carrying outdoorsy types a kilometre before the destination. Signal de Botrange has a restaurant, a ski rent and a small information centre.We arrive shortly after noon and the parking was packed with cars.

It’s possible to park 1,5 kms south by the Nature Park Centre that houses a bistro, information desk, a shop and a lovely fireplace. Both the Signal de Botrange and the nature park centre are on the same 6km trail, so as a starting point one can choose either one.

The population of Belgium is around 11 million, crammed into a land area that is 1/3 of the Finnish Lapland (30 500 m2 vs. 92 600 m2) so it’s no surprise that every place is full of cars and people. The restaurant at Signal de Botrange was packed, whereas the Nature Park Centre only had a handful of people.

A third alternative for food would be the restaurant with an Obama-esque name: La Baraque Michel. We didn’t eat there but the parking was packed.

Skis but no tracks

One can rent skis at Signal de Botrange, but there aren’t any tracks. Skiers and walkers stamp on the same path. We braved the conditions with out tank-sized Emmaljunga pram, but fared rather well.

We did get some looks, because we’d brought a toddler (!) into a snowy forest (!!) and properly dressed (!!!). We actually walked  faster than most people with their skis, but next time we’ll take a sled. – And I must stress that people walked with their skis as they didn’t have the foggiest idea of skiing.

Robertville & Malmedy

We decided to take a different route back home, so we turned south towards Malmedy. The scenery is really nice, roads hilly and twisty. As everywhere in Belgium, it’s worth checking out the local beer. I bought a selection of Brasserie de Bellevaux beers and some others from the Nature Park Centre. But it’s worth visiting any shop or petrol station for that matter.

The road follows along the Robertville lake and then crosses the dam. The dam is 184 metres wide and 54 metres high and pretty majestic. Then comes Malmedy and the E42 motorway.

The rest of the journey goes past the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit and the town of Verviers, before joining the E40 to west.

The landscape is quite similar to a Finnish forest and the bogs remind me of Riisitunturi National Park in Finland. So, for an advanced nature deficit the area provided instant cure and the snow some much needed light therapy.