The park's name refers to the union of two distinct river branches, the East Ourthe and the West Ourthe, which meet at Engreux.
The terrain includes the 'Grand Bois' and the 'Bois de Saint-Jean', which are remnants of ancient Ardennes forests.
The park serves as a protected ecological corridor for the European beaver (Castor fiber), which has been successfully reintroduced to the Ourthe basin.
It contains the ruins of the Feudal Castle of La Roche-en-Ardenne, which overlooks the river valley within the park's administrative territory.
The area is home to specialized flora including the Sundew (Drosera), a carnivorous plant found in the park's protected peat bogs.
The Natural Park of the Two Ourthes (PNDO) covers approximately 76,000 hectares in the Belgian Ardennes, encompassing the municipalities of Houffalize, La Roche-en-Ardenne, Tenneville, Bertogne, and Gouvy. The park is defined by the confluence of the East and West Ourthe rivers, which shape the rugged valley topography. Its landscape is a mosaic of steep forested hills, heathlands, and traditional agricultural plateaus. The region acts as a conservation site for protected habitats, including peat bogs and alluvial forests. Several marked hiking trails utilize the river paths and remnants of the region's industrial past. The park headquarters are situated in Houffalize, providing centralized information for regional tourism and ecology. It is an officially recognized natural park under the Walloon Region’s environmental framework.
The viewpoint at Le Hérou, offering a dramatic clifftop panorama overlooking a meander of the Ourthe River.
Carry a physical map or GPS device, as mobile signal is inconsistent in the deeper river valleys.
Wear waterproof footwear even in summer, as riverbank trails are frequently muddy.
Visit the PNDO Maison du Parc in Houffalize first to check for temporary trail closures due to forest management.
Do not attempt to swim in the Ourthe river, as currents and hidden rocks create dangerous conditions.
Strictly adhere to marked paths to protect fragile bog ecosystems; keep dogs on leads to prevent disturbance to local wildlife.
