Bihain: Fagne, Hiking Trails and Local History

If you are considering Bihain as a place to stay, two themes may help guide you: trails through the Fagne and a local history that spans the Battle of the Bulge and mining. When planning, it is worth considering the different routes and historic sites as separate points of interest. This allows you to take both the natural landscape and the area's commemorative heritage into account when choosing where to stay.

Hiking trails of varying lengths

The Circuit du Sacrawé is a 6 km educational circular trail in the Réserve Naturelle de la grande Fange de Bihain. It is marked with a blue cross and runs partly over boardwalks through the Fagne. Its length, circular route and trail markings provide concrete points of reference when choosing a hike. Its educational aspect adds another dimension to the walk, while the boardwalks are a distinctive feature of the route.

A second option is marked hiking trail No. 10. It starts at the car park of the Auberge du Carrefour, runs along the Fagne des Plateau des Tailles and is 12 km long. This makes it easy to compare its distance directly with the 6 km Circuit: trail No. 10 is twice as long. This difference can help you factor the length of each route into your plans. The time it takes to walk depends on your pace and breaks.

Fagne and landscape

The Fagne du Plateau des Tailles is a nature reserve with distinctive vegetation. Its peat bogs regulate water flow into the rivers. This brings the natural area's role in the water cycle into focus alongside its visible landscape. If you are interested in landscapes when choosing a destination, this provides a concrete point of reference: the Fagne is shaped both by its vegetation and by the hydrological role of its peat bogs.

Wartime history and places of remembrance

The 83rd Infantry Division Museum focuses exclusively on the American 83rd Infantry Division. It took part in the Battle of the Bulge and liberated Bihain during the Second World War. The museum includes a railway wagon that was used during the war to deport Jewish prisoners to concentration camps. This testament to the history of deportation adds a distinct and solemn dimension alongside the military history.

The site also includes a memorial garden and a Fortin. The Fortin became an extraordinary memorial honoring 4,430 American soldiers who were killed in the Second World War. The area's history therefore encompasses different perspectives: the division's service, the deportation of Jewish prisoners and the commemoration of fallen soldiers. These subjects can be considered separately when exploring Bihain, without reducing them to a single narrative.

Church, mining and village festival

The Saint-Remi Church is also part of the history of the village of Bihain: it has stood there for eight centuries. Another chapter in the area's history dates back to the late 19th century. At that time, Bihain was known for its mines, where iron ore and manganese were extracted. The church and mining therefore offer two distinct points of reference for the development of the area.

Bihain's village festival takes place every year at the end of July. If you would like to plan your stay around the festival, check the exact event date in advance.

Discover more destinations: Grand-Halleux, Petit-Thier, Fraiture.

For the overview of destinations in the wider area: Vielsalm.