The Ardennes are a hilly region — for wheelchair cyclists and handbikers that sounds like a challenge. Fortunately, Wallonia has a unique asset: the RAVeL network (Réseau Autonome de Voies Lentes) — Wallonia's network of car-free routes on former railways, a ~1,400 km network of old rail lines converted into flat, paved car-free cycle paths. For anyone who wants to discover the Ardennes by handbike without the climbs, this is the answer.
In this guide: 5 recommended RAVeL day routes through the Walloon Ardennes, with per-route info on surface, distance and sights along the way. Follows on from our Walloon Ardennes main pillar.
What is the RAVeL network?
RAVeL = former Walloon railways no longer used by trains and converted into cycling, walking and wheelchair paths. Features:
- Fully paved (asphalt or smooth semi-paved surfaces)
- Car-free — slow traffic only
- Flat — railways couldn't handle steep gradients — on average max 2-3% incline
- Signposted with its own RAVeL numbers and kilometre markers
- Free to use
For wheelchair cyclists and handbikers this is one of the best formulas worldwide for nature cycling trips. Comparable to the Dutch national cycle network but with a richer landscape.
Official info + maps: ravel.wallonie.be
🚴 5 recommended RAVeL day routes
Route 1: RAVeL 5 Bastogne → Wiltz (34 km)
Route: from Bastogne (WWII museum) along the RAVeL 5 section towards the border with Luxembourg (Wiltz).
Why suitable for wheelchair/handbike: fully paved, flat (former rail bed), car-free. Landscape: forests and meadows of the Luxembourg Ardennes.
Practical: start at Bastogne War Museum — combine museum visit + cycling. Accessible hospitality in central Bastogne.
Route 2: RAVeL 4 Namur → Dinant (Meuse towpath, 28 km)
Route: along the Meuse valley from Namur to Dinant. Largely a towpath — flat and paved.
Why ideal for wheelchair/handbike: spectacular Meuse landscape, accessible NMBS/SNCB stations at both ends (Namur + Dinant), several accessible refreshment stops along the way.
Practical: combine with Citadelle de Dinant and Collégiale Notre-Dame Dinant. Return by NMBS/SNCB train Dinant → Namur.
Route 3: RAVeL 2 Ourthe valley (variable, 15-50 km)
Route: along the Ourthe valley — choose your own start and end point. For example La Roche-en-Ardenne → Hotton (25 km) or Comblain-au-Pont → Hamoir (18 km).
Why suitable for wheelchair/handbike: flat (riverside), paved, running through one of the most beautiful Walloon valleys.
Practical: combine with a visit to Forge Roussel La Roche-en-Ardenne or Grottes de Hotton.
Route 4: RAVeL 45 Spa → Stavelot → Trois-Ponts (25 km)
Route: through the Amblève valley — start in Spa (spa town), pass Abbaye de Stavelot and end in Trois-Ponts.
Why suitable for wheelchair/handbike: paved, flat (river valley), culturally framed. NMBS/SNCB station Spa is accessible.
Practical: Abbaye Stavelot has accessible exhibitions — plan an hour's break. Return via NMBS/SNCB Trois-Ponts → Spa.
Route 5: RAVeL 1 Namur → Charleroi (Sambre and Meuse, 40 km)
Route: along the Sambre-Meuse valley west of Namur — more urban but fully accessible.
Why suitable for wheelchair/handbike: fully paved towpath, car-free. Biggest advantage: NMBS/SNCB stations at both ends (Namur + Charleroi) — perfect for a one-way ride with a return train.
🚴 Handbike and adapted-bike rental in the Ardennes
For those without their own adapted bike, the offer is limited in the Ardennes themselves. Alternatives:
- Bike Republic Diest (via finding-adapted-bikes) — Flanders-based but offers guided delivery for multi-day rentals.
- Locally per Ardennes town: check with tourism offices in Bastogne, Dinant or Namur for local rentals — the offer changes with the season.
- Province of Liège tourism occasionally lists handbike rental addresses — ask locally.
🚫 What not — warnings
Ardennes cycling routes outside RAVeL: many classic Ardennes cycling routes go through local hills with 5-10% gradients. Outside RAVeL the region is physically challenging — only choose RAVeL or accessible day routes for wheelchair/handbike.
Tunnels on RAVeL: some old railway tunnels have limited light — a bike light is mandatory for your own safety.
Winter: RAVeL paths are not gritted — avoid during frost or snow.
Practical tips for RAVeL days
Best season: May-October — outside this window it is often wet and cold. September-October gives the most beautiful autumn colours.
Combine with NMBS/SNCB: accessible stations in Namur, Dinant, Spa, Bastogne (nearly accessible), Charleroi. See our NMBS/SNCB assistance guide. One-way rides with a return train work excellently in Wallonia.
Break spots: many RAVeL sections have old railway stations converted into accessible cafés or picnic spots — look for these on the map.
Water + sunscreen: RAVeL paths don't always have cover — especially in July-August shade management is important.
For multi-day stays: Namur, Dinant, La Roche-en-Ardenne and Spa have the most accessible hotel infrastructure (batch 4 follows).
Combine with other pillars
- Walloon Ardennes main pillar
- Walloon Ardennes walking routes
- Campine cycling routes — Flemish alternative (flatter, more rentals)
- finding-adapted-bikes — sales + rental
Finally
The RAVeL network is, for wheelchair cyclists and handbikers, Belgium's best nature cycling formula — flat, paved, car-free, and through one of Europe's most varied landscapes. For anyone who wants to discover the Ardennes without risking the climbs: RAVeL is the key.
Our recommendation: start with RAVeL 4 Namur-Dinant (Meuse valley) — the most spectacular quality route in the region, and fully accessible end-to-end via NMBS/SNCB station Dinant.
Have you done a RAVeL trip? Let us know — first-hand info about paved vs. semi-paved, tunnels, and accessible break spots helps enormously.