EXPLORE

Escape to…

SPA

With its reputation as the pearl of the Ardennes – Belgium’s vital green belt – Spa needs little introduction thanks to its world-famous natural springs. Water is the source of its history, and it courses through the surrounding valleys and villages too. Rivers, lakes and springs are just some of the attractions of this diverse forest region in the province of Liège. The town itself is a perfect base for exploring nearby Aywaille, Malmedy and Stavelot, whether you’re in search of relaxation, nature, sport or culture.

© FTPL P. Fagnoul

AROUND TOWN

Spa’s popularity dates from the latter half of the 18th century, when royalty were among those who flocked here for the town’s curative mineral springs and thermal baths. Although its glory days are in the past, the picturesque centre features a cluster of neoclassical architecture, including the world’s oldest casino and an abandoned 19th-century building that once housed the famous baths. The main mineral spring, Pouhon Pierre le Grand, now contains a permanent exhibition of art by Miró and Chagall, while a modern wing serves as a tourist office. The town’s cultural centre, formerly the Leopold II Gallery, is a bustling flea market on Sunday mornings. For a spot of urban greenery, head to the Parc de Sept Heures along the banks of the Wayai stream. The modern wellness centre, Les Thermes de Spa, is a two-minute uphill ride in a cable car. It offers a range of health and beauty treatments, and its large indoor/outdoor pool reveals a fabulous view of the valley below. thermesdespa.com

© WBT - JP Rémy

TOURIST HOTSPOTS

WALKING & CYCLING

Spa was the first town in Belgium to create a network of walks, and it remains a hub of signposted paths leading into dense forests; there’s also a tour of the springs that envelop the town. Free interactive maps can be downloaded via the app Cirkwi. For trail fans, the Extratrail routes are multi-distance loops crisscrossing varied terrain. The Fagnes de Malchamps nature reserve, 5km south of Spa, is a protected zone that extends to the edge of the forest in the Berinzenne domain, a paradise for walkers. The Ninglinspo, near Aywaille, is Belgium’s only mountain stream and boasts dramatic waterfalls and dams with rapids around huge blocks of quartzite (we recommend a hiking map). The Amblève valley offers walks through pretty hamlets and relics of the former mineral industry. There are plenty of the region’s RaVel cycling routes here too. Following the Ourthe river, the Mery-Comblain-Esneux trail passes the Gombe quarry, while the trail from Sart-Station (Jalhay) to Stavelot borders the Spa-Francorchamps track and crosses the route of the LiègeBastogne-Liège cycle race. berinzenne.be ravel.wallonie.be ovatourisme.be

While Spa is the gateway to the Haute Fagnes natural park in East Belgium, it’s also close to a wealth of tourism sites. The ruined castle of Franchimont (pictured below) dates from the 11th century, rising above a rocky outcrop overlooking the Hoëgne, a tributary of the Vesdre river. Stavelot is a municipality rich in culture and folklore. Activities include outdoor sports and a renovated abbey housing museums and exhibitions. The ancient abbey – a major local attraction and one of the oldest monastic foundations in Belgium – is circled by beautiful landscaped gardens; a cafe serves regional food and drink. The town of Malmedy is known for its Carnival folklore and the Malmundarium heritage site is currently showing an exhibition dedicated to the mythical Beetle car. chateau-franchimont.be tourismestavelot.be spa-francorchamps.be abbayedestavelot.be malmedy-tourisme.be

© Arnaud SIQUET