Panoramic aerial view of Liège city centre with the Meuse river winding through the valley, Belgium

🇧🇪Liège, Spa & High Fens

Explore the High Fens, relax in Spa, and eat your way through Liège. A region that mixes wild nature with real Belgian culture for curious families.

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Your family guide

Liège, Spa & High Fens with kids: bogs & waffles

“Ancient moorlands, cosy café stops and Belgium's wildest corner. The High Fens deliver the contrast families are looking for.”

— San & Jo

Imagine stepping onto a plateau that has barely changed since the last Ice Age. That is exactly what the High Fens feels like. Belgium's largest nature reserve stretches across 4,501 hectares of misty moorland, ancient peatlands, and dense forest, sitting quietly on the border between Belgium and Germany. It is the kind of place that makes children go quiet in the best possible way.

But this region is far more than one big bog. The elegant spa town of Spa sits tucked into forested hills, offering thermal baths and a slower pace that parents will genuinely appreciate. Liège itself brings history, architecture, and some of the best street food in Belgium, including the legendary chewy Liège waffle. Together, these places create a region that rewards curious families who love mixing outdoor adventure with real local culture.

Whether your family is happiest hiking through heather-covered moorlands, cycling the scenic Vennbahn trail, or simply hunting down the best boulets liégeois in a cosy Liège brasserie, this corner of eastern Wallonia has something honest and memorable to offer. It is not flashy. It is genuinely special.

694 metresBelgium's highest point at Signal de Botrange

4,501 hectaresBelgium's largest nature reserve

150 foggy daysThe High Fens' unique misty microclimate

Cities and places in Liège, Spa & High Fens

3 places

Liège

Discover Liège with your family: climb 374 steps for panoramic views, taste the original Liège waffle, and explore Gothic cathedrals and a UNESCO coal mine.

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Spa

Spa, Belgium is a compact, walkable Ardennes town with natural mineral springs, forested hiking trails, a famous F1 circuit, and the town that gave the world the word spa.

0 guides · BelgiumExplore →

Spa-Francorchamps

Spa-Francorchamps combines the iconic Formula 1 circuit, Ardennes forest adventures, natural waterfalls, and the wellness heritage of the town of Spa for a genuinely varied family…

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What makes it special

Why families love Liège, Spa & High Fens

A wild plateau of peat bogs and forests

The High Fens plateau is unlike anywhere else in Belgium. Ancient raised bogs, cotton grass swaying in the wind, and misty forest paths make every walk feel like an adventure. Kids who love nature will be genuinely fascinated by a landscape that is over 10,000 years old.

Cycling routes the whole family can enjoy

The Vennbahn is a long-distance cycling route that winds through the moorlands and forests of the High Fens. It follows a former railway line, which means gentle gradients that work well for families. Pack a picnic and take it at your own pace.

Spa: relaxation for parents, exploration for kids

The town of Spa gave the world the very word for wellness. Set among forested hills, it offers thermal baths for tired parents and a pretty town centre to explore. It makes a lovely base that feels calm without being dull.

Liège: history, street food, and real city energy

Liège is a proper, lived-in Belgian city with medieval streets, impressive architecture, and a food culture that is hard to beat. The famous Sunday market at La Batte is one of the longest street markets in Europe and a fantastic sensory experience for older kids.

Belgium's highest point, and you can walk to it

Signal de Botrange at 694 metres is the highest point in Belgium, and reaching it on foot is a genuinely achievable goal for most families. The Maison du Parc at Botrange is a great starting point, with maps, exhibits, and e-bike hire to make the most of your visit.

Your kind of holiday

Nature and outdoor adventure

The High Fens is Belgium's wildest corner, with marked hiking trails through marshes and ancient forest, cycling routes across the moorlands, wildlife spotting, and even cross-country skiing in winter when the plateau gets enough snow. This is the kind of outdoor holiday that feels genuinely off the beaten track.

Food and local culture

From chewy Liège waffles eaten warm from a street stall to hearty boulets liégeois in a city brasserie, this region is a genuine food destination. In autumn, the High Fens villages serve seasonal game dishes that feel rooted in the landscape. Liège city adds markets, architecture, and a proud local identity that is fascinating to experience.

Slow travel and wellness

Spa is one of Europe's original wellness destinations, and the town still delivers on that promise. Combine thermal relaxation with gentle walks through forested hills, a visit to the High Fens visitor centre, and long lunches in small village restaurants. This is a pace that lets everyone breathe.

Fun facts

Things to know about Liège, Spa & High Fens

The word 'spa' comes from right here

The English word 'spa', used all over the world to describe wellness centres and thermal baths, comes directly from the Belgian town of Spa. The town's mineral springs were so famous across Europe that its name became the word everyone uses. Not bad for a small town in the Ardennes hills.

The High Fens is foggier than almost anywhere in Belgium

The High Fens plateau experiences fog on nearly 150 days every year. That misty, mysterious atmosphere is not just dramatic to look at. It is created by the unique microclimate of the high plateau, where cool air and boggy ground combine to create something that feels genuinely otherworldly.

Belgium's highest point is climbable by almost any family

Signal de Botrange at 694 metres is the highest point in the whole of Belgium, and reaching the top is a realistic goal for most families. There is even a small tower you can climb to add a few extra symbolic centimetres. It is a satisfying achievement that costs nothing and comes with great views across the moorlands.

Taste Liège, Spa and High Fens

What to eat with kids in Liège, Spa and High Fens

Liège waffle (gaufre de Liège)

Thick, chewy, and studded with pearl sugar that caramelises during cooking, the Liège waffle is nothing like the lighter Brussels variety. Eaten warm from a street stall, it's one of those travel food moments that sticks with you. Find them everywhere in Liège city.

Kids love it

Boulets liégeois

Oversized beef-and-pork meatballs served in sauce lapin, a sweet-tangy sauce made with onions, sirop de Liège, and vinegar. Rich, generous, and deeply satisfying, this is the defining dish of Liège. Most brasseries serve it with frites, making it a reliable crowd-pleaser for the whole table.

Must try

Salade liégeoise

A warm salad of bacon, potatoes, green beans, and vinaigrette that is far more comforting than it sounds. It is a staple across the Liège region and a good option if your family wants something lighter but still rooted in local tradition.

Local favourite

Café liégeois

A dessert of coffee ice cream that is popular across Liège Province and makes a lovely end to a long day of exploring. Coffee-flavoured ice cream is a hit with older kids and adults alike, and you will find it on menus throughout the region.

Daily treat

Fromage de Herve

A creamy, pungent washed-rind cheese produced in Liège Province with protected regional status. It is strong in flavour, so it may not win over every young palate, but adventurous eaters in your family should give it a try. Look for it at local markets alongside Ardennes ham and game pâtés.

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