Last Updated: October 7, 2022
7 Best Waterfalls In Belgium
Curious about Belgium’s best waterfalls? Although the country is not exactly famous for its tall cascades, there are some waterfalls that are absolutely stunning and a must for all lovers of gorgeous nature!
The best thing about most of Belgium’s amazing waterfalls is that they’re often located in the middle of the forest and you must hike to them. Nature in Belgium is remarkable, often featuring lots of greenery, flowers, wildlife, and some questionable mushrooms. Read on to see the best waterfalls in Belgium, how to reach them, and when you should go see them for the absolute best experience!
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The Coo Waterfall
The Coo Waterfall is Belgium’s tallest and most popular waterfall. It’s situated in the heart of Coo village in the province of Liege and it’s about 15 meters tall. Because this is one of the most popular natural attractions in the country, there are lots of observation decks and viewing points in the area that offer scenic views of the Coo Waterfall.
The only issue is that there’s a theme park directly across from the waterfall and you will need to pay if you want to get the absolute best views of Belgium’s tallest waterfall.
The amusement park is fairly small, but it does feature some fun rides and shows. The Coo Waterfall area is also popular for kayaking, zip line rides, and other fun activities, making this the best waterfall in Belgium if you’re looking to spend an entire day having fun. The theme park and waterfall activities are particularly fun for families with children!
Reaching the Coo Waterfall is easy and simple. It’s in the center of Coo village and you can literally stand on the road directly above the waterfall. This village is about an hour away from Liege both by car and train, so it should be fairly easy to get there if you’re staying in the area.
Cascade de la Chaudière
Cascade de la Chaudière is in Aywaille, and it is part of the Ninglinspo hiking area. The main attraction of the area is the Ninglinspo stream which features lots of pools and cascades, and it is best experienced during the rainy season when there’s lots of water in the stream. Chaudière Waterfall is the largest in the area, but it’s still a rather small fall.
But that’s okay – this entire area is so beautiful that it’s absolutely worth it to explore the hiking trails, even if they don’t take you to the most impressive waterfall you can see in Belgium.
The lush landscape is absolutely stunning, and you can see some gorgeous flowers if you do the hike in the spring. It’s worth noting that this area is very popular with both tourists and locals, so expect crowds on the hiking trails.
The good news is that there are lots of different trails in this area, so you can avoid other people for the most part. The forest paths are rocky with lots of roots in the ground, and it is recommended to wear sturdy hiking boots. Depending on the exact hiking trail, you might need to cross a couple of streams, so it’s smart to wear waterproof boots.
Cascade Leopold II
Cascade Leopold II is a small but stunning waterfall in Jalhay, Liege. It is accessible only via hiking trails through the forest, which features beautiful and untouched nature. The hikes to the waterfall are easy for the most part, but there are a lot of roots in the ground so you will need to watch your step.
It’s worth noting that the forest trail gets very muddy when it rains and that’s something you need to be prepared for. It can even freeze in the winter – in case you’re hiking while there is snow on the ground, be sure to wear some good shoes that offer lots of grip and traction.
This is a very small waterfall, but it’s beautiful nonetheless. There’s a wooden bridge directly across from the Leopold II Waterfall, and it offers phenomenal views of the cascade. Also, expect to see all sorts of flowers and mushrooms along the way, especially if you’re hiking this waterfall in the spring or summer.
Cascade du Bayehon
Cascade du Bayehon is a 9-meter-tall waterfall near Malmédy in Liege province. It’s hidden in a forest and it can only be accessed by hiking trails, so it’s the perfect waterfall to check out for all the hikers and trekkers in Belgium. There are several trails in the area that will take you to the Bayehon Waterfall, and for the most part, they are moderately difficult.
The most challenging thing about these trails is the steep incline that hikers must overcome. The trail mostly goes through the forest but parts of it are exposed – keep that in mind if you go hiking on a sunny day and be sure to bring a hat. The most popular trail to the Bayehon Waterfall is an 8-kilometer loop trail that starts at a big parking lot at Rue du Haut Village.
It follows a forest path to the waterfall and eventually a road back to the trailhead. But keep in mind that this is just one of many different hiking trails in the area, and you can choose how you want to approach the waterfall.
The area near Bayehon Waterfall is incredibly beautiful, featuring wooden bridges, tall trees, and lots of fly agaric mushrooms. If you do the hike with children or animals, just make sure that they don’t get a taste of the mushrooms since they are classified as poisonous.
Cascade de Reinhardstein
Cascade de Reinhardstein is a waterfall in a scenic nature preserve. It’s accessible by hiking trails and there are loads of them in the area. Their difficulty varies depending on where exactly you are hiking from, but they’re generally not very hard and are suitable for hiking newbies as long as they wear appropriate footwear and take their time.
The path through the forest is rocky and steep at times, but the trail is well-marked and very easy to follow.
The Reinhardstein Waterfall is special because it’s situated very close to a castle. You can even see the castle from the area near the waterfall, and it’s a phenomenal view. It’s worth noting that you can only see the lower parts of the waterfall because of the foliage – if you want to see the entire Reinhardstein Waterfall, it is best to visit in the winter because the view won’t be obstructed.
The Reinhardstein Castle is also worth a visit. You can tour the interior and see some really cool armor and memorabilia, plus there’s a café at the castle grounds where you can rest for a little while and maybe even grab something to drink.
Cascade de Nutons
The Nutons Waterfall is in Jalhay, pretty much in the middle of the forest. It is accessible by hiking trails through the forest, which features spectacular nature and lots of greenery. The waterfall is quite small – in the summer, it’s barely a trickle of a few meters. That’s why it’s best to visit Cascade de Nutons in the rainy season, otherwise, you’ll likely be underwhelmed.
When there is a lot of water in the fall, this hiking area is just as stunning as Ninglispo but without the crowds. Also, this is a great place to observe wildlife, and you’ll likely stumble upon some spectacular flora as well, depending on the exact season you visit.
The hiking trails are all in the forest, and most of them feature rocky dirt parts with roots jutting out of the ground. They’re not very steep, and even newbies to hiking should be able to reach the Nutons Waterfall without many difficulties.
However, it is crucial to wear waterproof and grippy shoes, especially if you take our advice and hike to the waterfall in the rainy season. The trails can be very muddy and slippery, so take your time and watch your step.
Cascatelles
Cascatelles waterfalls are in Hastiere, in a scenic hiking area that features beautiful nature, wildlife, and a few castles. There are lots of hiking trails in the area, and all of them feature spectacular forest views. Some of the trails also feature viewing points that offer fabulous views of the Meuse river and valley.
The most popular hiking trail in the area is a 7.7-kilometer-loop trail that starts near Les Gourmandises du Moulin bakery. It is a moderately difficult hiking trail with some steep segments, but the steepest part of the trail is after the Cascatelles waterfalls.
As is the case with most of Belgium’s small waterfalls, it’s best to experience them during the rainy season when there’s lots of water in the streams. However, abundant falls also tend to mean muddy hiking trails, so be sure to wear sturdy boots with lots of grip and traction, especially if you intend to complete the entire look hike. The forest path is easy to follow, but it is rocky and becomes very slippery after heavy rain.
*Note: The 2021 floods have had a serious impact on the accessibility of some of these waterfalls. Some of the wooden footbridges have been destroyed by the floods, so it’s best to double-check whether you can actually reach the waterfalls before you set out on a hike.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
