Welcome to Wallonia | Explore one of biking’s best kept secrets with 1300km of great riding routes

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Ever heard of Wallonia? It’s the southern half of Belgium, and as far as motorcyclists are concerned, the more exciting half. It’s home to the Spa-Francorchamps race circuit, classic racing at Gedinne, famous World War II landmarks like Bastogne, and the Belgian Ardennes.

Wallonia’s white lines trickle through forests, wander beside meandering rivers, cut between cliffs and race across the high plateau. Flanked on each side by rich, dark tarmac, they pull you out of countless corners, pin balling you forwards, sunlight piercing the canopy and strobing your visor.

What sets Wallonia apart from other motorcycling destinations is that whatever direction you choose to go, there’s always something great at the end.

You can ride through the history books, following lines of advancing tanks from the Battle of the Bulge, past the fortresses and citadels that make up Wallonia’s well-used defences.

Expect to eat delicious potato tartiflette, Trappist beer, and copious amounts of chips and mayonnaise – the Belgian fast food of choice. Find chips at any local friterie – the equivalent of a British fish’n’chip shop.

So why not make 2024 the year you visit Wallonia? Head over between June and September for fantastic weather. October is for risk-takers: the whole area turns into a leafy golden spectacle, but there’s a higher chance of rain.

Good weather for the weekend? The region’s only a short hop across the Channel with Le Shuttle. From there it’s only a 90-minute ride to Tournai at Wallonia’s western edge. With this fast crossing you could be cruising along Ardennes river valleys within four hours.

Best routes to explore and things to do in Wallonia