Artboretum de Mefferscheid

Artboretum de Mefferscheid is an unusual blend of a historic tree collection and an open-air sculpture trail, tucked away in the Hertogenwald forest in the municipality of Baelen, in the province of Liège in eastern Belgium. Located close to the village of Membach, the site combines a scientific forestry background with a contemporary artistic project, making it one of the more original stops in the Pays de Vesdre region.

Where did it come from?

The arboretum was established in 1901 on the initiative of the local forest administration. Its original purpose was purely practical: to test how different tree species would grow on the difficult, acidic soils of the Hertogenwald, a large forest complex stretching east of Liège. For decades the collection served as a kind of experimental plot for foresters, quietly growing under the canopy of the surrounding woodland. Today it holds 48 species of coniferous trees and 6 species of exotic broadleaf trees, giving it real value for anyone interested in dendrology alongside its more recent artistic fame.

What happened in 2012?

The site's transformation came when local authorities decided to pair its scientific character with art. Local sculptor Éric Hagelstein was invited to rework the arboretum, and together with two collaborators, Benoît Pelzer and Francis Polrot, he created a series of wooden sculptures carved from dead or defective trees taken from the surrounding forest. The works took roughly two years to complete, made mostly with chainsaws, and the artistic park was officially opened to visitors in 2012.

What can you see along the trail?

The walking route leads past nine sculptures woven into the natural forest setting. Hagelstein carved seven of them himself, while two others were created in collaboration with his fellow artists. The most striking piece is "The Dragon" (Le Dragon), an impressive sculpture roughly 48 metres long whose segments move with the wind, giving the impression of a living creature winding its way through the trees. An educational trail themed around the dragon was also created for children and families, blending the walk with elements of nature discovery.

Who is it for?

Artboretum de Mefferscheid appeals to a wide range of visitors: families with children looking for an unusual walking route, fans of outdoor art installations, and anyone with an interest in forestry or botany. The walk itself requires no special preparation — the path runs over gentle forest terrain and can typically be covered in an hour or two, depending on pace and how much time is spent admiring the individual sculptures.

Its location at the heart of the Hertogenwald makes it easy to combine a visit to the arboretum with other natural attractions in the Pays de Vesdre area, including the nearby Hautes Fagnes (High Fens) and the many hiking and cycling trails that cross this part of eastern Belgium.

Frequently asked questions

What is Artboretum de Mefferscheid? It is a former forestry arboretum dating from 1901 in the municipality of Baelen, transformed in 2012 into an open-air wooden sculpture park combining a tree collection with nine artworks.

Who created the sculptures in the arboretum? The sculptures were made by artist Éric Hagelstein together with Benoît Pelzer and Francis Polrot, using wood from dead or damaged trees found in the surrounding forest.

What is the most distinctive sculpture on the trail? "The Dragon" (Le Dragon), a roughly 48-metre-long sculpture whose segments move in the wind.

How many tree species grow in the arboretum? The collection includes 48 species of coniferous trees and 6 species of exotic broadleaf trees.

Is the trail suitable for children? Yes, the park also offers a dragon-themed educational trail designed to be accessible for families with children.