Fancy a two-day micro-adventure in the Belgian Ardennes? Then definitely check out the super cool concept pack rafting. A trekking through nature, but slightly different. In two days you will not only explore the hiking routes, but you will also sail for kilometers on the Ourthe river with your own super light raft. This is how you discover the Belgian Ardennes in a unique way with The Packraft Trail!
The new sport pack rafting
Have you heard of pack rafting? This relatively new sport has come over from Alaska and makes it possible to take walks in wetlands. With a super-light raft that fits easily in a backpack, you can alternate hiking trails with rivers and cover longer distances.
Micro adventure in the Belgian Ardennes
In Europe you can do these kinds of treks more and more often, because we have incredibly beautiful pieces of nature close to home in water-rich environments. The Packraft Trail is a micro-adventure in the Belgian Ardennes, in which you follow a marked route without a guide in two days. You go alone or with your team and you do everything at your own pace. This route is partly over land and parts over water. It is a tough two-day route, but doable for anyone with a healthy basic condition. There is plenty of space to rest, enjoy the view and have lunch along the way.
Tip: Do you have a dog that is not afraid of water and is sporty enough to go out all day? Then you can take him on an adventure!
The 2 routes of The Packraft Trail
The Packraft Trail has two routes mapped out, depending on the height of the water. Both routes are approximately 40 kilometers long. At The High Water Trail you go 20 kilometers over water and the Low Water Trail is about 10 kilometers over water. These routes are composed because the area where you will be hiking is highly subject to rainfall. Regardless of the water level, you can still see the most beautiful places with these routes.
Nature reserve the Two Ourthes
The trip goes through the nature reserve of the Two Ourthes in the Belgian Ardennes. The area is located along the Belgian-Luxembourg border and is located on the oldest rock formation in the country.
What does The Packraft Trail’s route look like?
The trip starts in the village of Maboge and from there you walk 17 kilometers to Lac de Nisramont. From there you will start a 5 kilometer rafting session on the lake and the western river (Ourthe Orientale). Finally, you walk another 2 kilometers to the camping site in Engreux.
The next day you first hike 4 kilometers and then raft 5 kilometers downstream on the Ourthe Occidentale over the reservoir to the dam. Then you walk back to Maboge, the place where you started and where your car is parked.
This route is possible almost all year round and is called the Low Water Trail. If it turns out that the water is still high, an alternative route will be chosen. The first day looks quite the same, but on day two you will hike 8 kilometers and then raft 15 kilometers downstream back to Maboge.
Staying overnight during The Packraft Trail
You will be on the road for two days and this includes a basic overnight stay. This overnight stay is at a campsite, so you need to bring camping gear. If you don’t have your own equipment, you can rent it. It is also possible to have the camping equipment brought to the camping site so that you do not have to take the equipment with you on the way. The campsite has basic sanitary facilities (outdoor toilets and outdoor showers) and you can make a cozy campfire.
It is optionally also possible to stay the night before departure in the base camp: a campsite along the banks of the Ourthe and close to towns such as Jupille, La Roche and Ardenne.
Dates and prices for The Packraft Trail
The Packraft Trail can be booked until the end of September. You depart on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday and prices are from €99 per person. A packraft, 4-piece paddle, raft inflation bag and trekking backpack (which can hold your packraft and personal items) are included. You will also receive packraft instructions, a handbook and trail guide for the journey. The overnight stay at the campsite on day one is also included.
