Slope of Goats

Heid des Gattes, known in French as le Versant des Chèvres and often referred to in English as the Slope of Goats, is a nature reserve covering roughly 54 hectares on the right bank of the River Amblève, between Remouchamps and Aywaille in Belgium's Liège province. At its heart stands a limestone rock face rising more than fifty meters above the valley floor, one of the most striking rock formations in this part of the Belgian Ardennes.

Where does the name come from?

The reserve's name comes directly from the goats that graze on its steep slopes. In the local Walloon dialect, "gatte" means goat, and residents of nearby Sougné-Remouchamps are still nicknamed "Gad'lis" — goatherds — as a nod to this tradition. The goats aren't just a curiosity for visitors; they are a deliberate part of the reserve's conservation strategy. By browsing on shrubs and young trees, the herd keeps the slope open and prevents woody growth from crowding out the rare plants that depend on exposed, sunlit ground.

What makes the reserve special?

Heid des Gattes is best known for its exceptional rock-face flora, adapted to survive on dry, sun-baked limestone ledges. Its most celebrated resident is the Aywaille houseleek, a succulent that has made this cliff internationally known among botanists and enthusiasts of xerothermic plant communities — vegetation typically found in hot, dry habitats. Beyond the flora, the steep, warm rock walls and open grassy patches also draw attention from entomologists and birdwatchers, since they support species that are far less common in the shadier, damper woodlands elsewhere in the Ardennes.

The view over the Amblève valley from beneath the cliff is one of the main reasons hikers and climbers have long been drawn to this spot. The steep escarpment dropping toward the river makes the reserve a clear landmark in the landscape around Aywaille, visible from trails on both sides of the valley.

Who manages the site?

Administratively, the reserve lies within the municipality of Aywaille, but its day-to-day protection and management are handled by the non-profit association "Ardenne et Gaume," which has long worked across the region to safeguard valuable natural habitats. The association is responsible for maintaining the goat-grazing program as a method of natural vegetation management — a solution that is both cheaper and gentler on the ecosystem than mechanical mowing or clearing.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Heid des Gattes located? The reserve sits on the right bank of the River Amblève, between the villages of Remouchamps and Aywaille, in Liège province.

Can visitors actually see the goats? Yes, a resident herd grazes permanently on the slope as part of the reserve's conservation program, helping keep the terrain open.

What is the reserve's most notable natural feature? The Aywaille houseleek, a succulent growing on the rock ledges, considered one of the most valuable elements of the local flora.

Is the reserve open to visitors? The site is a protected natural area managed by the Ardenne et Gaume association, and its rock face and slopes can be viewed from trails in the Amblève valley near Aywaille.