The gîte
- Up to 12 guests
- 5 bedrooms
- 3 bathrooms
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Spacious living room
- Billiard
- Jacuzzi
- Terrace
Hiking
From the gîte, the Fens as far as the eye can see
The Similaun gîte is an ideal base from which to explore the largest peat bog plateau in Western Europe. Right from the doorstep, a network of marked trails takes you to the Malmedy Fen, the Signal de Botrange — the highest point in Belgium at 694 m — or the wooden boardwalks of the Polleur and the Fagne wallonne.
Whether you are a Sunday walker looking for a two-hour loop or a seasoned hiker ready to tackle twenty kilometres, you will find a route to suit you. In winter, when the snow comes, the cross-country ski trails of Xhoffraix and Botrange are just a few minutes away by car.
On your return, the gîte’s jacuzzi will reward your tired calves.
Nature
A living reserve, to respect and to savour
The High Fens cover nearly 4,500 hectares of peat bogs, moorlands and forests, protected since 1957. A rare and fragile landscape, where the morning mist drifts over tall grasses and where every season transforms the horizon: the purple of the heather in August, the gold of the larches in October, the hushed silence of the snow in January.
Black grouse, wildcat, black stork and many other species can be spotted by enthusiasts with a pair of binoculars. Photography lovers will find here a quality of light unmatched anywhere else in Belgium.
The Botrange Nature Centre, ten minutes from the gîte, will provide you with maps, advice and exhibitions to prepare your outings.
History
A land shaped by the centuries
The Malmedy region is a crossroads of stories. The former principality-abbey of Stavelot-Malmedy, founded in the 7th century by Saint Remacle, was for a long time an independent enclave at the heart of Europe. The cathedral of Malmedy and the abbey of Stavelot still bear witness to this monastic past.
Closer to our time, these hills were the theatre of the Battle of the Bulge during the winter of 1944-1945. The Baugnez memorial, just a few kilometres away, and the many sites of the remembrance trail invite visitors to a moving act of memory.
And then there is the Cwarmê, the carnival of Malmedy, listed as intangible cultural heritage of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation: four days of masks, music and Walloon traditions, every February, unique in the world.
Gallery
Who we are
Bienvenue chez nous! That is our philosophy. We are a Fleming, a Walloon and three loveable dogs who love nature and hiking. That is why we settled in this wonderful region.
Etienne, an agronomist by training and a mountain guide, is the biggest nature lover of the household. He regularly laces up his hiking boots or slips into his cycling gear, and enjoys sharing his knowledge of the local flora and fauna with anyone willing to listen. With his nickname Saint Bernard, he is a perfect guide, for young and old.
Jill is the foodie. A caterer by profession, she has a passion for local products — and this is the ideal region for that. She loves sharing her passion through her cooking or over a visit to a local producer.
Together with Teddy, Fitz and Arthur, we welcome you to our home!
Services
On request, our partner Jillicious prepares catering meals delivered to the gîte: ideal to enjoy your stay to the fullest without standing behind the stove.
Depending on the season, we also offer guided walks (on foot, by bike, on snowshoes) and excursions to local breweries, Reinhardstein castle or Bütgenbach lake.
Booking
Book the Similaun gîte through the platform of your choice, or contact us directly for any tailored request.