Fange aux Mochettes

Fange aux Mochettes is a nature reserve in the Belgian Ardennes made up of heathland and a raised peat bog, located in the Samrée section of the La Roche-en-Ardenne municipality, in the province of Luxembourg. The site lies along and south of the N89 national road, between Baraque de Fraiture and the village of Samrée, roughly 2 kilometers from the latter. It forms the westernmost part of the Plateau des Tailles, one of the higher stretches of the Ardennes massif.

How large is the site and how high does it sit?

The reserve covers 71.33 hectares, stretching about 1.7 km from west to east and roughly 700 m from north to south. The terrain is largely flat and wild, sitting at an altitude of around 600 meters. That elevation makes Fange aux Mochettes one of the cooler, damper natural areas of the region compared to the lower river valleys nearby.

Why is this peat bog considered special?

Fange aux Mochettes is one of the last examples in the region of a raised peat bog that has never been industrially exploited. Raised bogs form over thousands of years as sphagnum mosses and other marsh vegetation accumulate, creating a slightly domed surface. The site has been listed as exceptional immovable heritage of Wallonia, a recognition of its ecological and scientific value. It was also the subject of a dedicated scientific study on the ecology of a raised bog, authored by Eugène Leloup and Serge Jacquemart and published by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.

What species live here?

Despite a gradual drying trend, partly caused by spruce plantations along its edges, Fange aux Mochettes remains home to numerous rare or threatened plant species adapted to the acidic, nutrient-poor conditions typical of raised bogs. The Bellemeuse stream also originates here, feeding into the surrounding water network.

Is there a trail through the reserve?

Yes, the area includes an interpretive walking route dedicated to the region's upland marshes — known locally as the circuit d'interprétation des hauts marais — allowing visitors to learn about the bog's ecology without disturbing its fragile structure. Because the ecosystem is delicate, visitors are encouraged to stick to marked paths so as not to damage the peat layer or the habitats of rare species.

Who is this site best suited for?

Fange aux Mochettes appeals mainly to nature lovers, botany enthusiasts, and anyone interested in landscape ecology, as well as visitors seeking quiet, lightly trafficked walking routes away from the more typical attractions of La Roche-en-Ardenne. It is also a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in nature conservation in the Ardennes, where intact raised bogs of this kind have become increasingly rare.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Fange aux Mochettes located? In the Samrée section of the La Roche-en-Ardenne municipality, along the N89 road between Baraque de Fraiture and Samrée, in Belgium's Luxembourg province.

How big is the reserve? It covers 71.33 hectares and sits at an altitude of around 600 meters.

What is a raised bog? It is a type of wetland formed over centuries from accumulated sphagnum moss, creating a slightly domed, nutrient-poor surface that supports a specialized set of plant species.

Which river originates here? The Bellemeuse stream begins within the Fange aux Mochettes reserve.