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Tour of Lake Gileppe
03:50
14.4km
160m
Hiking
Hike the moderate 8.9 miles (14.4 km) Tour of Lake Gileppe in Hautes Fagnes-Eifel Nature Park, featuring the Gileppe Dam and scenic views.
Last updated: February 26, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
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Waypoints
Start point
Parking
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88 m
Gileppe Dam, Reservoir and Panoramic Viewing Tower
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549 m
Gileppe Dam Lion
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1.73 km
View of the Lion of Gileppe
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5.12 km
Lac de La Gileppe viewpoint
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The Lac de La Gileppe is a drinking water reservoir and is one of the oldest in Europe. The dam was built between 1869 and 1875.
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6.02 km
Soor Tunnel discharge at the Gileppe Dam
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8.00 km
La Louba Bridge
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9.64 km
Hobôster Shelter
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12.7 km
Bench with a View of Lake Gileppe
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14.4 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
12.0 km
1.14 km
922 m
304 m
Surfaces
8.43 km
3.25 km
1.81 km
829 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (350 m)
Lowest point (300 m)
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Weather
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Tuesday 19 May
16°C
11°C
79 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to hike the Tour of Lake Gileppe?
The Tour of Lake Gileppe is approximately 14.3 kilometers (8.9 miles) long. Most hikers complete the loop in about 3 to 4 hours, depending on their pace and how often they stop to enjoy the views.
What is the terrain like on this trail?
The trail features a diverse mix of surfaces. You'll walk on asphalted roads for significant portions, interspersed with smaller off-road tracks and occasional wooden bridges. The landscape includes meadows, dense woods, and parts along rugged cliffs meeting the tranquil waters of the lake.
Is the Tour of Lake Gileppe suitable for beginners or families?
Yes, this trail is generally rated as easy and is suitable for hikers of all experience levels, including beginners and families. The main loop is straightforward to navigate, with modest elevation gain.
What are the main attractions or viewpoints along the route?
The route offers numerous highlights. You'll encounter the historic Gileppe Dam, Reservoir and Panoramic Viewing Tower, the impressive Gileppe Dam Lion, and several scenic spots like the View of the Lion of Gileppe and the Lac de La Gileppe viewpoint. Don't miss the La Louba Bridge and the Bench with a View of Lake Gileppe.
Where can I park for the Tour of Lake Gileppe trail?
Parking is available near the Gileppe Dam. The area is well-equipped for tourists, and you'll find designated parking facilities there, which serve as a convenient starting point for the loop.
Is the Tour of Lake Gileppe dog-friendly?
While the trail is generally accessible, specific regulations for dogs (leash requirements, etc.) within the Hautes Fagnes-Eifel Nature Park should be checked locally. It's always best to keep dogs on a leash to protect wildlife and ensure a pleasant experience for all hikers.
What is the best time of year to hike this trail?
The Tour of Lake Gileppe can be enjoyed throughout the year. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and beautiful foliage, while summer provides lush greenery. Even in winter, the trail can be hiked, though conditions may vary. Sunsets over the lake are particularly beautiful, with recommended viewing spots around the 5km or 10km mark depending on your direction of travel.
Do I need a permit or is there an entrance fee for the trail or the Hautes Fagnes-Eifel Nature Park?
There are no specific permits or entrance fees required to hike the Tour of Lake Gileppe trail itself. As part of the Hautes Fagnes-Eifel Nature Park, general park regulations apply, but typically, access to hiking trails is free. For specific information on park regulations, you can consult local tourism resources like tourismejalhaysart.be.
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see?
The natural surroundings of Lake Gileppe offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. Hikers might encounter deer and foxes, especially in the quieter, wooded sections of the trail. The lush forests and tranquil waters also support various bird species.
Does this trail intersect with other hiking routes?
Yes, while the "Tour du Lac de la Gileppe" is the primary route, it does intersect with other paths. You might find sections that overlap with trails like "Chêne du Rendez-vous - Découverte du barrage de la Gileppe" and parts of the "GR 15 De la Lorraine belge à l'Eifel".
Are there any facilities like restaurants or cafes near the trail?
Yes, the area around the Gileppe Dam is well-equipped with tourist amenities. You'll find restaurants and a burger bar, particularly near the dam's panoramic tower. There's also an Accropark with treetop rope courses for additional activities.
Nearby routes
Trail Reviews
Visit to Wallonia in eastern Belgium. Hike around the Gileppe Dam reservoir. This reservoir is "guarded" by a giant stone lion. A small "leisure park" has been established at the dam, featuring a panoramic tower, climbing park, bike rentals, restaurants, exhibitions, etc. We hiked clockwise around the reservoir. More than half of the path is paved and wide enough for cyclists and hikers. There are also plenty of benches at reasonable intervals. The last third is more natural and offers more varied terrain. An interesting highlight is the water supply via a 2.5 km long underground tunnel from the Soor region into the dam, about halfway along the circular route. The tunnel opening can be viewed up close. The roar of the water is intoxicating.
Starting at the La Gileppe dam - there is also a nice climbing park here - we went around the reservoir. After a good 8 kilometers, the wide tarmac path actually turns into a beautiful forest path (which had temporarily turned into a small stream after heavy rainfall). The highlight of the tour (besides the 🦁) is the restaurant at a height of 77 meters! A glass panoramic elevator takes visitors either to a viewing platform or further up to the restaurant with a sensational view! 👀🔝
A fantastic hike around Lake Gileppe in Wallonia. There are several distances; we chose the long one of 15.4 km. Everything is well signposted. The blue squares indicate the long walk. The entire hike is moderately steep, except for the last part in the forest where there was a bit of a scramble over tree roots. You can also take a free glass elevator to the panoramic tower for a magnificent view of the lake. The restaurant is also located there.
Super nice tour around the reservoir. Unfortunately, Komoot does not have the hiking maps with the trails. The stone lion, which is 13.5 meters high and looks towards the former district town of Eupen, is very impressive. After about 2/3 of the tour there was a signpost 6 km by bike and 5 km on foot. The footpath is very steep and sometimes slippery when wet. I think it's better to go the kilometer longer. On the tour there are many benches with a view of the lake.
Nice round, but (too) much asphalt. Could have gone into a lot more forest path.
Today it was supposed to be an easy tour and so I quickly came to the dams and found what I was looking for near Eupen in Belgium. The Gileppe Dam was built between 1867 and 1878 and was originally the oldest gravity dam in Europe. As it got older, it was renovated between 1967 and 1971 and the dam height was increased by around 15 metres, which doubled its storage capacity to 26.5 million cubic metres. As a landmark, a 13.5 meter high lion is enthroned on the dam wall, facing the then Prussian border. At the beginning of the hike there is still some time on narrow paths and easy paths, but this changes in the course of the tour to a tar road. But I still liked the foothills of the Hertogenwald with all the small tributaries to the reservoir and the views over it. Halfway through the tour, I was particularly impressed by the inflow of the Soor into the lake. The catchment area of the Gileppe dam was enlarged here via a 2.5 kilometer long tunnel. The water from the Soor ultimately flows through pipes from the tunnel into the lake under roaring and meter-wide fountains. Added to this was the fact that due to the icy temperatures, the trees in the "flight path" on the banks of the tributary were covered with ice crystals and created a very special, fantastic atmosphere that is unfortunately difficult to capture in photos. However, the tour is only recommended for those who enjoy simple tours around the lake and are not bothered by the high proportion of asphalt.
Nothing but paths. At no time do we cross a road and traffic. Ideal for getting a breath of fresh air and, luckily, a few rays of sunshine. Too bad the restaurant was closed. They serve Chouffe 😀