Paddling allowed
- Flow
- 7.3 m³/s
- Level
- 0.45 m
- Water
- 12.4 °C
Measured on 28/10 at 13:52 · Public Service of Wallonia
Paddling prohibited
- Flow
- 5.8 m³/s
- Level
- 0.39 m
- Water
- 11.9 °C
Measured on 28/10 at 13:52 · Public Service of Wallonia
Paddling allowed
- Flow
- 5.2 m³/s
- Level
- 0.73 m
- Water
- 10.0 °C
Measured on 28/10 at 13:52 · Public Service of Wallonia
Paddling allowed
- Flow
- 3.4 m³/s
- Level
- 0.31 m
- Water
- 13.1 °C
Measured on 28/10 at 13:52 · Public Service of Wallonia
What Kayak Ardennes offers
The site brings together three things you need before paddling a river in the Ardennes: the state of the water, detailed routes and kayak hire.
- Official readings. River flow, water level, temperature and navigation status for each river come from the measuring stations of the Public Service of Wallonia (SPW).
- Routes. Distances, durations, skill level required and a day-by-day run-through for the Semois and the Lesse.
- Kayak hire. Kayaks and canoes, with life jacket, paddle, waterproof barrel and shuttle. Every price is on the prices page.
Choosing your river
Each river has its own character. Open the page of the one you are interested in to see its live reading.
| River | What to know |
|---|---|
| Semois | Calm water (grade I) and winding meanders through the Semois Valley National Park. Suits beginners and families. |
| Lesse | Light rapids (grade I-II) between cliffs and forest, on the Gendron – Anseremme stretch. |
| Amblève | Fast water (grade II-III) near the Coo waterfalls. For experienced paddlers only; the run depends on dam releases. |
| Ourthe | Continuous readings of river flow and navigation status. |
| Meuse | A navigable waterway, tracked for its measurements. |
Two canoe trips to consider
On the Semois, four runs of 7 to 17 km start from Alle-sur-Semois or Poupehan. The shortest, from Alle to Vresse, is a good first outing. Full details are on the Semois routes page.
On the Lesse, a single 12 km route links Gendron to Anseremme, on the edge of Dinant. It takes about three hours. Everything is covered on the Lesse to Dinant route page.
How to read the water levels
Whether a river is open or closed follows the navigation thresholds set by Walloon regulations (Walloon Government decree of 19 March 2009). It is never an estimate made by this site. The paddling rules page explains these thresholds and what each status means.
Paddling in the National Park
The Semois Valley is Wallonia’s first national park, designated in December 2022, and contains a Natura 2000 site. A few rules apply to everyone:
- paddle quietly so you do not disturb black storks or otters;
- take all your rubbish with you, even if it is biodegradable;
- swim and stop only in permitted areas;
- never approach wildlife.
Before you book, compare the options and amounts on the prices page.