Bikepacking the Belgian Ardennes (Video)

For their first bikepacking trip of the year, Antoine Willemart and two friends jumped on a train into the heart of the Belgian Ardennes for a casual overnighter, taking time to enjoy the moment and the stunning views. Watch the 15-minute video he made from the trip here…

Words, photos, and video by Antoine Willemart

At the end of April, it was time to start the bikepacking season. Along with Wim and Antoine (yes, another one!), I hopped on a train to Trois-Ponts, a small village nestled in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes. The plan: ride to Liège through the Hautes Fagnes Nature Park while taking the time to shoot some footage and meet people along the way. We’re preparing for a crossing of the Black Forest—a mountainous region in southern Germany—in two weeks, and this weekend was the perfect chance to see how well we’d ride together… and we can already say the group dynamic is working pretty well!

  • Belgian Ardennes Bikepacking
  • Belgian Ardennes Bikepacking
  • Belgian Ardennes Bikepacking
  • Belgian Ardennes Bikepacking
  • Belgian Ardennes Bikepacking

It’s a region we’re starting to know quite well, but it was still a fresh discovery for the other Antoine, who had just arrived from France. After filming several videos using only my iPhone, I decided this time to bring along my Fuji X-T4, paired with a mic and my 23mm f/2 lens, to capture more cinematic footage. A micro-adventure like this is also a great opportunity to test gear before longer trips.

Belgian Ardennes Bikepacking
  • Belgian Ardennes Bikepacking
  • Belgian Ardennes Bikepacking
  • Belgian Ardennes Bikepacking

This ride also gave me the chance to try out my new frame bag, handcrafted by Yiannos, aka Ena Bags. One thing’s for sure: it’s going to be with me for a long time. Thanks to Wim and Antoine for the laughs and the late-night talks. And next time, we’ll try to go a little easier on the génépi!

  • Belgian Ardennes Bikepacking
  • Belgian Ardennes Bikepacking

Find more from Antoine on his YouTube channel, and don’t forget to check out the Ardennes Arbalète route for a captivating 4-6 day loop in the Belgian Ardennes.

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