Montagne de Bueren

The Montagne de Bueren is a single flight of 374 steps running straight up the hillside from the old town of Liege to the citadel, built in 1881 so that soldiers garrisoned above could reach the centre without going through the narrow streets, and named after a fifteenth-century commander. It is unusually steep and completely straight, which is what makes it: from the bottom the steps disappear into the sky, and from the top the view runs back down the flight and over the city and the Meuse. Terraced gardens and houses line it. It is used for a night of candles each October, when the whole staircase is lit with thousands of them, and for an annual race up it. Locals use it for training.

What you actually see

• 374 steps in a straight line - the flight running to the top without a turn.
• The view back down - the city and the Meuse from the summit.
• Terraced gardens alongside - houses and plots on the slope.
• The October candle night - thousands of candles down the whole staircase.

When to go

Year round; it is a public street, free and open at all hours. One hour including the climb and a rest. The candle night falls in October. Early morning is quiet.

Honest expectations

It is a hard climb and there is no lift or alternative except a long detour. Steps are slippery in wet weather. The view is the reward and there is nothing at the top except the citadel grounds. It is busy with tourists photographing it.

Nearby

The Liege old town is at the foot; the citadel grounds lie above.