Fraineu (zone B)

Fagne de Fraineu (zone B) is a stretch of high-altitude peat bog on the Hautes Fagnes (High Fens) plateau, lying just southwest of the Botrange summit, within the section of the Hautes Fagnes-Eifel Nature Park bordering Malmedy. It is here that the Ruisseau des Trôs Marets stream rises, later carving out the well-known Trôs-Marets canyon further downstream.

What does "zone B" mean?

The Hautes Fagnes nature reserve is split into protection zones with different levels of restriction. Fagne de Fraineu, together with the neighbouring Fagne de Lovaiseu, sits within zone B — an area open to visitors but governed by strict rules designed to protect the fragile bog ecosystem. In zone B, dogs are forbidden even on a leash, and cross-country skiing, horse riding and cycling are not allowed, nor is picking plants, berries or mushrooms. Visitors are required to stay strictly on marked trails.

What the landscape looks like

Fraineu's terrain is a typical Hautes Fagnes tourbière: an open expanse of peat bog covered in cottongrass, heather and dwarf birch, crossed by wide firebreak paths (layons) and, in the wettest sections, wooden boardwalks (caillebotis) that let walkers cross the bog without damaging the vegetation underneath. This way of managing visitor access is standard across the park and is meant to reconcile hiking traffic with the conservation of a rare and delicate wetland habitat.

Access and seasonal restrictions

Access to the Hautes Fagnes plateau, including Fraineu, can be temporarily restricted by the park authority — because of fire risk during dry spells, heavy snow, dense fog, or other exceptional circumstances such as the bird nesting season or maintenance works. It is worth checking current accessibility before setting out, since a red flag (drapeau rouge) displayed on information masts signals that a given sector is closed. In recent years, following periods of closure, the access roads to Fraineu and the official parking areas along the N68 road have been progressively reopened to the public.

Hiking routes

Fagne de Fraineu serves as a starting point or waypoint for several well-known hiking routes in the region, linking the bog to the Trôs-Marets canyon and the valley of the Hoëgne river. These routes are among the more popular hiking proposals on the eastern edge of the Belgian Ardennes, drawing both nature enthusiasts and hikers looking for the open, wide-horizon scenery that is otherwise rare in the densely forested Ardennes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my dog to Fagne de Fraineu? No — in zone B, dogs are banned even on a leash, to protect birds nesting in the bog.

Do I have to stay on the marked trails? Yes, in zone B visitors must keep strictly to signposted paths and firebreaks.

Where does the Ruisseau des Trôs Marets originate? The stream rises directly in the Fraineu peat bog before flowing on toward the well-known Trôs-Marets canyon.

Is this area always accessible? Not always — during droughts, snow, fog or the bird nesting season, the park authority may temporarily close access to the zone.