Nature and the Semois Valley National Park

A territory to explore with respect

Ardennes nature unfolds with the seasons: broadleaf and conifer forest on the slopes, meadows on the valley floor, a river winding between slate rocks. The Semois valley is a particularly readable example, and part of it now belongs to the Semois Valley National Park. This page gathers our nature guides to help you understand what you are about to cross.

The first group of pages sets the scene: the national park, its recognition and rules, the Ardennes forest and how it is used, and the European Natura 2000 network that protects habitats and species. These guides explain what a protection status means in practice for a visitor: where you may walk, which behaviour to avoid and how site managers work.

The second group looks at living things and water. You will find an overview of the valley's wildlife and plants, season by season, a guide to the black stork, a discreet bird that needs quiet, and advice on swimming in the Semois with current, temperature and fragile river banks in mind. Watching nature starts with agreeing not to disturb it.

A few simple rules apply to all these places. Stay on waymarked paths, take your rubbish home, keep dogs on a lead, avoid noise and the surroundings of signposted quiet zones, especially in spring. Find out about restricted periods before you go, because some areas are closed or limited according to the season to protect breeding species.

The figures and rules quoted on our pages come from official sources, named each time; rules change, and the site manager remains the reference. If you spot out-of-date information, report it through the contact page: we correct it and show the update date.

Each guide cited here is written by the ArdennenBelgie.be editorial team from public sources and official documents. We name our sources, date our updates and say so when a piece of information cannot be confirmed. Our approach is set out on the page about our methodology.