Parc naturel des Hauts-Pays

The Parc Naturel des Hauts-Pays covers 15,700 hectares along the Franco-Belgian border in Hainaut Province. The landscape combines forests, grasslands, river valleys, and streams spread across six municipalities.

The Walloon Government officially established this park in 2000 as a protected area. Its management structure was put in place within the following years to oversee conservation and development.

The six communities that comprise this region have preserved their rural character through traditional buildings and managed landscapes that reflect local identity. You can see old farmhouses and village centers scattered throughout, shaping how people live and move through the countryside.

The park offers around 300 kilometers of marked trails with signage and informational materials about the landscape. Paths are accessible year-round and suit different walking abilities and experience levels.

This location sits on a watershed divide between two major river systems: the Scheldt through the Haine and the Meuse through the Sambre. This geographical position creates a special meeting point of water flows that shapes the local terrain.