The Ninglinspo hiking trail in Aywaille is often thought of as one of the most spectacular hikes in Belgium, and for good reason! This trail, with its numerous bridges, challenging rocks, and babbling river full of sparkling waterfalls, makes you feel like you’re not in Belgium anymore, but in a country like Slovenia or the Black Forest in Germany.
Practical Information:
- Distance: 6 km
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Difficulty Level: moderate
- Start: Parking Ninglinspo
- Signs: blue rectangles
- Download GPX
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Start at Sedoz Parking
The Ninglinspo is located in Aywaille, in the province of Liège. The best way to get there is by car. You can park your car at the start of the hiking trail, at ‘Parking Ninglinspo’, which you can find on Google Maps in the village of Sedoz. It’s also possible to get there by bus, but you may need to be patient as it takes a lot of time.
There is a large sign here clearly marking the hiking route. I always take a photo of it to review everything if I have doubts about a particular turn during the hike. Of course, you can also download the GPX route on your phone!
Tip: Arrive either very early or outside of holiday periods. Ninglinspo is a well-known hiking route, so the parking lot often fills up quickly. Unfortunately, if you arrive late, you’ll have to park much further away, as parking your car along the roadside will result in a fine.
The Hiking Route
The hike starts at the end of the Ninglinspo River and takes you upstream. Right from the start, you’ll cross a wooden bridge, and you’ll encounter many more along the way. Occasionally, you’ll need to walk through the water, so be sure to wear waterproof hiking shoes!
The path itself is a bit adventurous. In addition to the bridges, you’ll climb over rocks and ascend quite a bit in altitude. The watercourse descends 250 meters with an average gradient of 8%, making it a fun hike for children who can enjoy climbing around! Along the way, don’t forget to stop at one of the waterfalls or pools to cool off or have a quick picnic.
Once you reach the top of the river, you have a choice. You can either follow the route back down via a gravel path or continue on another route marked with red rectangles. This will extend the route from 6 km to 14.6 km, which would take about 4.5 hours. Perfect for a day trip!
If you decide to return directly downhill, you’ll encounter a very nice viewpoint along the way. Here, you have a magnificent view over the valley and you’ll find a bench to rest on or (hopefully not needed) shelter from the rain. At the end of the hike, you can visit the tavern next to the parking lot for a drink. This place is quite touristy due to the large number of hikers passing through though. So I wouldn’t really recommend it. It’s best to bring your own drinks or go to a nearby town instead.
You can find the longer 14.6 km route on the Visit Wallonia website.
Good to Know:
- Dogs are allowed on the hiking trail but must be kept on a leash.
- It’s not possible to do the hike with a stroller.
- Although 6 km might not sound like much, due to the climbing, it will take about 2.5 hours.
- Try to avoid weekends and school holidays to escape crowds.
- Check beforehand if there is any hunting activity in the area.
Staying in the neighbourhood
Stop Searching, Start Hiking! ✨
Discover Belgium’s 25 Best Trails
Looking for your next hiking adventure but tired of spending hours searching for the perfect trail? My e-book ‘25 Best Hikes in Belgium’ saves you time and frustration! 🇧🇪✨
🥾 25 carefully selected hikes – from breathtaking views to hidden gems
🥾 Clear route descriptions & GPX files – no more getting lost
🥾 Essential info for each hike – parking tips, distance, difficulty & more
🥾 Perfect for any season – always have a great hike at hand
For less than the price of a movie night, you get a complete guide full of inspiration to start hiking right away. Download the e-book here 👇
