High Fens fire leaves East Belgium’s tourism sector facing weeks of disruption

Updated 24 August 2026, 09:00 CEST — HIGH FENS

Place

HIGH FENS

Protected peatland plateau damaged by the wildfire and kept closed to visitors.

Why it matters

Protected peatland plateau damaged by the wildfire and kept closed to visitors.

About

The High Fens, which were declared a nature reserve in 1957, are an upland area, a plateau region in Liège Province, in the east of Belgium and adjoining parts of northwestern Germany, between the Ardennes and the Eifel highlands. The High Fens are the largest nature reserve or park in Belgium, with an area of 4,501.2 ha ; it lies within the German-Belgian natural park Hohes Venn-Eifel, in the Ardennes.

View on map ↗View source record ↗

The fire began on 14 August and affected about 3,000 hectares, according to the provincial authorities. The tourism disruption is now extending beyond the emergency itself. De Standaard reported that hotels and restaurants around the reserve had cancelled bookings, including the Domaine des Hautes Fagnes near Signal de Botrange, which closed after being fully booked for August. Christoph Hendrich of the East Belgium Tourism Agency told the newspaper that many operators faced major revenue losses and would need support.

The official tourism agency presents a more differentiated picture. It says most accommodation and attractions elsewhere in East Belgium remain open and accessible, although the High Fens plateau is unavailable. Sections of the Vennbahn and Venntrilogie are closed, the Stoneman Arduenna cycling route has been diverted, and access roads including parts of the N68, N672 and N676 remain restricted. Visitors are advised to contact their accommodation or activity provider directly before travelling.

That distinction matters for a region whose summer economy draws heavily on hiking, cycling and the protected landscape. The fire has removed its best-known attraction at the height of the season, while the closures and images of burnt terrain risk discouraging visitors from destinations that remain open.

The wider uncertainty concerns recovery. The High Fens contain deep peat, where embers persist underground after flames disappear. Wallonia’s environment service warns that weakened trees, hidden hotspots, smoke and exposed wartime ammunition still make the closed area unsafe. Its measurements found no concerning carbon-monoxide concentrations on 23 August, and average air quality over the preceding 24 hours remained good despite a temporary rise in fine particles.

Authorities have not announced a reopening date, a final ecological damage assessment or an overall figure for tourism losses. Fire monitoring and safety inspections will continue, while businesses await clearer information on access, compensation and how much of the autumn walking season can proceed.