Semois Valley

The Semois runs west from Arlon to join the Meuse in France, and through the southern Ardennes it cuts a deep valley in a series of extremely tight meanders, with forested slopes rising several hundred metres on both sides and villages tucked into the loops. It is one of the more dramatic stretches of river in Belgium and the classic way to see it is from the viewpoints on the ridges, of which the Tombeau du Geant and the Rocher du Pendu are the best known, or from a kayak on the water in summer. The valley was tobacco country until the twentieth century and drying barns survive in some villages. Mist filling the meanders on autumn mornings is what photographers come for.

What you actually see

• Deep river meanders - the Semois looping tightly through forest.
• Ridge viewpoints - the loops seen from several hundred metres above.
• Kayaking the loops - the summer descent between villages.
• Tobacco drying barns - the remains of the valley's old crop.

When to go

May to October, with October for autumn colour and morning mist, which is the best combination. One to two days. Kayaking depends on water levels and is often stopped in dry summers.

Honest expectations

Kayak operators close the river when levels are low, which happens in most summers. Viewpoints are reached by road and car parks fill at weekends. Villages have limited facilities. Roads in the valley are narrow and slow.

Nearby

Bouillon is in the middle of the valley; Florenville lies east.