The Arbalète does what any worthy crossbow should: gets to the heart of the matter. Spanning over 200 miles, the route makes a loop out of Liège and gets riders into the Belgian Ardennes to explore some of the country’s least densely populated regions. Far from the flat stretches of the Flemish north, it dives deep into the entanglement of abrupt valleys and lost villages that characterize Belgium’s southeast. The Arbalète makes use of several existing routes (GR, RV, and local trails), single track systems, and forest roads to flow from one point to the next. You might be surprised at how quickly the mosaic of thick pine forests isolates you from the rest of the world, though you’ll never be too far from civilization. Relics and monuments are omnipresent, odes to the cataclysmic history of the region. World-class breweries are always nearby and the good nature of the Ardennaise people is palpable (the latter perhaps resulting from the former…).Ardennes Arbalete Bikepacking Route
The route’s riding surfaces run the gamut; from the paved bicycle paths of city centers, to the swampy singletrack in the Hautes Fagnes, to the flowy, riverside dirt road into Malmedy. Though the route is mostly rideable, there are a few short but steep hike-a-bikes. Additionally, since the route often passes through farmland (on public trails), narrow cattle gates must be negotiated by lifting bikes over them, so the lighter the load, the better. In terms of navigation, a GPS unit or phone app is recommended, as you will be constantly checking to make sure you’ve made the right turn. Belgium is a dense matrix of roads, trails, paths, and tracks, and this route mixes and matches them without remorse to get off the beaten path as much as possible. The majority of paved riding occurs on the dedicated bike paths leading into and out of Liège. Otherwise, you’ll intermittently encounter pavement as you pass through the various small villages dotting the map. The rest of the route snakes through eerie forests, charming beer-brewing valleys, and rolling farmland on dirt, gravel, mud, and grass paths. Make no mistake, with 19,000 feet of elevation gain, this route is deceptively tiring and will make you earn your waffles. Undoubtedly, the Ardennes are not what Jacques Brel had in mind when he sang about his “plat pays” (flat country).History enthusiasts will rejoice in the abundance of notable sites. The route offers as much historical significance as it does diverse riding, with cultural highlights ranging from a Roman fort dating back to 57 BC to artillery craters left over from the infamous Battle of the Bulge. Small memorials and cemeteries tucked away in the forests can be found on just about any section of the track. Culturally, there is no shortage of great food, strong beer, and backcountry charm. The people of the Ardennes are famously known for their laid-back and casual nature, in contrast to the bustle of the Brussels chaos. Don’t be surprised if a passerby strikes up a conversation as you sit down at one of the many local breweries to gulp down a malty Belgian Tripel.DIFFICULTY
As mentioned, the riding surface is highly variable, so being adaptable is key. Notable difficulties are a few steep (but short) hike-a-bikes, potentially muddy conditions in some areas, overgrown grassy trails (especially in spring), cow gates that require lifting bikes over them, and a swampy section. However, due to the almost limitless workarounds thanks to the vast network of bicycle paths and nearby country roads, and the ease of resupply and lodging/camping options, the commitment level remains relatively low.Technical Difficulty: 6 – This is not a technical route, save for the short singletrack sections that rely more on grit and tolerance for discomfort than technical riding ability. That said, this route would become frustratingly choppy if all those sections were walked, since they pop up with some regularity.Physical Demand: 7 – Though there are no long, sustained climbs (the longest being a 1,000-ft, five-mile climb out of the Lac de la Gileppe on a good road), you will constantly be gaining or losing elevation, and the net gain adds up quickly. As with any route, this can be made easier or harder depending on the time taken to complete it.Resupply and Logistics: 5 – Food, water, and lodging are easy to come by (especially if money is no object), with dispersed camping easy to find nearly anywhere on the route between the Lac de la Gileppe and the Vallée de l’Ourthe.Route Development: Though this route in its entirety is an original creation by the author, it borrows long sections of previously established multi-use trails, paths, and greenways that have been well documented and developed by Belgian hiking and cycling organizations. These routes include the Transardennaise, the Transferrusienne, RandoVélo (RV) paths, and even short sections of the Grandes Randonées (GR) routes.