Nature Park of the High Fens

The High Fens (German: Hohes Venn; French: Hautes Fagnes) form, as part of largely the Ardennes and a smaller part of the Eifel, a high plain and nature reserve in the province of Liège (Wallonia) in eastern Belgium, as well as a small part of adjacent Germany. The area lies in the High Fens-Eifel Nature Park and covers approximately 4500 ha. As the name suggests, a large part of the region consists of peat deposits. A portion of this is still active, meaning that peat formation is still occurring.

The High Fens are bounded by Eupen in the north, Monschau in the east, Malmedy in the south, and Spa in the west. The largest part, located in the Eastern Cantons (the German-speaking Community plus the municipalities of Weismes and Malmedy), belonged to Germany until 1919. With peaks just below 700 meters, it is the highest area in Belgium, including the highest point in the country, the Signal de Botrange (694 meters TAW, 692 meters above NAP). The rivers Rur, Vesdre (German: Weser), Gileppe, and Helle (German: Hill) also originate in the High Fens.

The area is characterized by a lot of precipitation, averaging between 1500 to 1700 mm per year. Due to a number of reservoirs in the area, this water is used as drinking water and for power generation. The landscape consists of peat bogs, heathlands, sparse grasslands, meadows, and many forests. In and around the scattered villages, characteristic farms can be found. Some houses and farms are surrounded by characteristic meter-high beech hedges that provide protection against wind and rain. Examples of these can be found in places like Sourbrodt (Belgium) and Kalterherberg (Germany).

The Vennbahn, a now-closed railway line on the border of Belgium and Germany that once connected Aachen with the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, also runs through the area.

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