Station-to-Station Paddler // Ourthe // Hotton to Barvaux (31km)

Public transportation: https://www.belgiantrain.be/ - starting point: Melreux-Hotton (train station) - end point: Barvaux (train station)

Acces points: entry/embarkation: Aire de Hotton - exit/disembarkation: Aire de Barvaux Juliénas

Navigability: kayak.environnement.wallonie.be - Ourthe

Take the train from Liège or Marloie station to Melreux-Hotton station. Walk 2.4 km to the entry point in Hotton (near the dam) where you can inflate your SUP board, kayak, or packraft. You could also enter closer to the station near the railway bridge, but please note that this is not permitted, and local fishermen may not appreciate it.

The route is approximately 30 km of paddling to the exit point in Barvaux (left side before the bridge). Along the way, there are several official entry and exit points where you can take breaks. In Barvaux, you can catch a train towards Liège or Marloie. The exit point is about 800 meters from Barvaux station. If you’d like, you can continue paddling an additional 5 km to the exit point in Bomal, which also has a train station.

This route is part of a series of station-to-station paddlers along the Ourthe River, between the Nisramont dam and Poulseur. In principle, you can combine any of the various routes mapped along this stretch of more than 100 km. The main obstacle is that you must disembark between Hampteau and Hotton. Except for the starting points at Filly and La Roche-en-Ardenne, all towns along the Ourthe have a train station. There are numerous campgrounds along the way, making the Ourthe ideal for multi-day trips. In principle, you are allowed to continue paddling past Poulseur to the confluence with the Meuse River. However, this last stretch beyond Poulseur is less scenic and has more boat traffic.

Be sure to check navigability, entry points, dams, and obstacles on Kayak Wallonia before you set out. For train departures and arrivals at various stations, visit SNCB. For bus schedules, refer to TEC. Expect an average speed of approximately 5 km/h in low water and 9 km/h in high water conditions.