GR 57 (Ourthe Valley Trail)
GR 57 (Ourthe Valley Trail): Ardennes River Walking to Luxembourg
The GR 57 is a 265 km point-to-point trail from Barchon near Liège in Belgium to Diekirch/Gilsdorf in Luxembourg. Allow 10–12 days. It is a moderate long-distance hike, best for fit walkers who want river valleys, Ardennes forest and regular but manageable climbs rather than high mountains. The route follows the Ourthe and Ourthe orientale, then becomes the Luxembourg Sentier du Nord. Expect red-and-white GR waymarks, dirt, gravel and rocky paths, with the best walking window from April to October.
Route Overview
The route starts at Barchon, linking with the GR 5, then passes Jupille-sur-Meuse, Liège, Angleur and Sart-Tilman before tracing the Ourthe valley through Esneux, Comblain-au-Pont, Hamoir, Bomal, Durbuy, Barvaux-sur-Ourthe, Hotton, Marcourt and La Roche-en-Ardenne. At the Nisramont dam, after roughly 140 km, the GR 57 divides; the eastern branch follows the Ourthe orientale via Houffalize, Gouvy and Troisvierges, then continues through Clervaux to Diekirch/Gilsdorf. Rail roughly parallels the walk from Liège to Hotton and again from Gouvy to Diekirch, making section hikes realistic. For other Walloon river routes, compare the GR 126 Semois and Meuse or the history-focused Battle of the Bulge Trail.
From the Sentier de l’Ourthe to the GR 57
The route began as the early-20th-century “sentier de l’Ourthe”, described in regional walking guides, and was officially designated a GR in 1966 by Belgium’s Sentiers de Grande Randonnée association. It was later extended north to Barchon, connecting it to the GR 5, when the Simenon youth hostel opened in Liège in 1996. The Ourthe valley itself has long been a corridor of settlement and defence, which helps explain the castles, towns and river crossings along the walk.
Notable highlights
- Liège: The northern gateway city on the Meuse, where the Ourthe joins the river. It is a major rail hub and a practical cultural starting point before the trail turns south into the valleys.
- Durbuy: A compact medieval town on the Ourthe, known for marketing itself as the “smallest city in the world”. Its stone old town makes it one of the most memorable stops on the middle route.
- Grottes de Hotton: Limestone show caves near Hotton, with an underground river and large galleries. They are a worthwhile off-trail-style pause if you are pacing the Ourthe valley section.
- La Roche-en-Ardenne: A classic mid-route halt below the ruins of a medieval castle. The town sits tight to the Ourthe and works well for accommodation and resupply.
- Parc naturel des Deux Ourthes: The protected upland park carrying much of the upper Ardennes section. This is where the route feels most wooded, remote and hilly around the Ourthe and Ourthe orientale.
- Clervaux: A Luxembourg town in the Oesling, set in a deep wooded valley below a castle and Benedictine abbey. It marks the late Sentier du Nord stages before Diekirch/Gilsdorf.
Challenges to expect
The GR 57 is not alpine, but it is not flat: total ascent is about 5,200 m, built from frequent steep climbs out of river gorges and descents back to the Ourthe. Paths can be rooty, rocky and slippery in wet weather, especially in forest. Waymarking is generally good, but a map or GPS is sensible in remoter wooded stretches. If you like Belgian long trails with mixed terrain, also see the Abbey Trail of Wallonia and the longer-distance GR 12.
Belgium - Forest
- River Valley
- Hilly
- Dirt
- Gravel
- Rocky
- Hotels
- Hostels
- Campsites
- Wild Camping Spots
- Family Friendly
- Pet Friendly
- Restrooms
- Water Sources
- Campsites
- Picnic Areas
Begin your journey at Barchon, following the trail southwards along rural paths and rolling farmland towards Liège. The route offers gentle terrain interspersed with wooded sections and passes several small villages before entering the outskirts of Liège, a vibrant city known for its riverside setting and cultural heritage.
Departing Liège, the trail hugs the Ourthe River and soon escapes into lush woodland and scenic outcrops. You’ll pass through the charming town of Tilff and ascend towards Esneux, a delightful stop with quaint architecture and prominent river views. Forested hills, rocky bluffs, and quiet countryside dominate this section.
Continue along the Ourthe Valley, enjoying a combination of wooded riverside paths and short climbs that reveal striking panoramic views of the Ardennes landscape. The route follows the river to Comblain-au-Pont, a town renowned for its karst formations and bat caves, making for fascinating natural scenery en route.
This section weaves through evocative woodland and rugged riverbanks toward Belgium’s famed ‘smallest city’, Durbuy. Expect a mix of gentle and moderate gradients, serene forest stretches, and occasional open meadows. Durbuy’s medieval core provides picturesque scenery and a variety of places to rest and resupply.
Leave Durbuy following the river’s bends as the landscape transitions into broader valleys. You’ll cross tranquil woodlands and cross small villages before reaching Hotton, known for its spectacular limestone caves and opportunities to visit underground river passages. The route is varied in both terrain and scenery throughout the day.
Follow the winding path along the Ourthe to reach one of the trail’s highlights, La Roche-en-Ardenne. The way is marked by a series of forested ridges, hidden streams, and sweeping valley views. Arriving in La Roche offers the chance to explore the impressive castle ruins and enjoy local cuisine.
From La Roche, ascend steep river valleys and traverse dense woodland as you progress towards Houffalize, a town set in a peaceful, forested landscape. This section features more significant climbs and descents, with secluded stretches and beautiful rural vistas. The area is noted for its natural tranquillity.
Venture deeper into Ardennes woodland, following smaller rivers and remote tracks to Gouvy. The day’s journey alternates between narrow forest paths, open farmland, and small hamlets that provide a sense of isolation and rugged natural beauty, ideal for nature lovers and those seeking solitude.
Crossing into Luxembourg, the trail continues through forested hills and undulating countryside toward the town of Clervaux, renowned for its castle and Benedictine abbey. This section highlights changes in landscape and architecture as you leave Belgian territory, offering both historical and scenic interest.
The final stage winds south through Luxembourg’s rolling countryside, passing fields, forests, and traditional villages, before descending into the riverside town of Diekirch. Celebrate the end of the GR 57 by exploring Diekirch’s historic center and enjoying its welcoming local amenities.