Fondry des Chiens, also known as the Grand Canyon of Belgium, is a unique natural phenomenon in our tiny country. The distinctive rock formations were created by (rain)erosion, a natural process that started millions of years ago. Nature is wonderful, isn’t it?
The rock formations take up a length of about 100 meters and a height of 20 meters. Not only is this a viewpoint for tourists, but it’s also home to a diverse range of fauna and flora. It is definitely a highlight in Belgium.
Getting to Nimes
The nearest train station from Nismes is in Couvin. From this station on you could take a bus that takes you to the town of Nismes. If you choose to come by car you can easily park right next to the tourist office, which offers free parking!
Getting to Fondry des Chiens
There are several ways of getting to the rock formations. The easiest way is parking right next to the rock formation. But… how does this saying go? It’s about the journey, not the destination. Seeing Fondry des Chiens can easily be combined with a beautiful hike. Nismes offers many hiking trails. Most of them start next to the church of Nismes. In this table, I’ve summarized the most popular hikes to Fondry des Chiens:
| Red Square ‘le Fondry des Chiens’ | 4 km | 1h30′ | Map |
| Yellow Square ‘La Roche aux Faucons’ | 7,5 km | 2h40′ | Map |
| Green Square ‘Le tienne aux Pauquis’ | 8 km | 3h | Map |
| Red + White Square ‘Les Abennets’ | 9 km | 3h30′ | Map |
All trails entail different distances and unique features. There is no need to worry about finding your way as the signs are well visible on your route. My friend and I hiked the 9 km trail (red + white flag: Les Abennets) and ended our trail with our visit to Fondry des Chiens. Feeling satisfied and tired, we decided to spend some time in the town of Nismes (which of course, included drinking Belgian beer 🍺).
The professionals at the tourism office of Nismes will gladly assist you with more information about the routes (free map!), the ‘what to do’s’ and a public toilet.
There you go, some inspiration for your next trip to Belgium! 🇧🇪 Kind reminder: always stay respectful towards nature & heritage sites. Keep your dog on the leash, don’t litter, and stay on the path. ✌️
Peace and love!
