Map of Wallonia
Learn about Wallonia, see the routes and plan your trip
EVER HEARD OF Wallonia? It’s the southern half of Belgium, and as far as motorcyclists are concerned, the more exciting half. It’s home to the Spa-francorchamps race circuit, classic racing
at Gedinne, famous World War II landmarks like Bastogne, and the Belgian Ardennes. Expect to eat delicious potato tartiflette, Trappist beer, and copious amounts of chips and mayonnaise – the Belgian fast food of choice. Find chips at any local friterie – the equivalent of a British fish’n’chip shop. Visit between June and September for fantastic weather. October is for risk-takers: the whole area turns into a leafy golden spectacle, but there’s a higher chance of rain. Good weather for the weekend? The region’s only a short hop across the Channel with Eurotunnel. From there it’s only a 90-minute ride to Tournai at Wallonia’s western edge. With this fast crossing you could be cruising along Ardennes river valleys within four hours.
1. Enter Wallonia Tournai to Chimay
What to see? Chimay’s famous Trappist monastery, and Hitler’s Battle of France bunker which you’ll find at Bruly-de-pesche Where to ride? The steep cambers of the N589 between Baileux and Cul-des-sarts, and the Beloeil Chateau seen from Chemin Du Major Page 6
2. Riding to Spa Tournai to Spa-francorchamps
What to see? Diverse classic bikes at the Mahymobiles Museum, and the Ronquieres canal boat escalator Where to ride? Cobbled switchbacks on Namur’s citadel road, and the racetrack-smooth N66 just west of Stavelot Page 8
3. Explore the Ardennes Chimay to Chimay
What to see? The beautiful Meuse and Semois valleys from hillside viewpoints, and the Gaume Jazz Festival in August Where to ride? Nassogne’s N889 blasts through quiet woodland, while the the Semois valley provides calm riding Page 12
4. Belgian Battlefields Eben-emael to Bastogne
What to see? Eben-emael, the Belgian fortress that was defeated in a single day, and the Royal King Tiger at La Gleize Where to ride? The squirrelling N89 to La Roche-en-ardenne, and the fast N62 between St Vith and Luxembourg’s border Page 14
5. Roads and road races Charleroi to Arlon
What to see? Supermoto racing at Mettet in October, and Dinant – the home of saxophone inventor Adolphe Sax Where to ride? The public roads that make up Gedinne’s circuit, and the stormin’ N88 just south of Orval Abbey Page 18