📷 Photo by Mike van den Bos on UnsplashThe Ardennes: Luxembourg and Belgium
Hilltop castles and river towns in the Ardennes forest, from Vianden to Dinant.
- Distance
- approx. 266 km (165 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 40 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 6
- Countries
- Luxembourg, Belgium
- Best time to go
- June–September
- Tolls and vignettes
- None expected
- Updated
- April 27, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 266 km (165 mi) with 6 stops, from Luxembourg to Durbuy. About 3 h 40 min of driving in total. Best time to go: June–September. No motorway tolls or vignettes expected for a car.
More road trips in Luxembourg, Belgium · More road trips from Metz
Photos along the route
Route description
From Luxembourg City, with its casemates cut into the rock and the old quarter of Grund below, drive north to Vianden in the Luxembourg Ardennes. The land becomes forested and hilly, with narrow river valleys.
Vianden Castle, restored from ruins, stands on a hill above the river town; a chairlift runs up the opposite slope for a view of it. Then cross into Belgium and head west to Bouillon, where the castle linked to Godfrey of Bouillon sits above a loop of the Semois river.
Dinant lies below a cliff on the Meuse, with the onion-domed collegiate church and a citadel above the town; it is also the birthplace of Adolphe Sax. From here, kayaking on the Lesse is a popular way to see the valley.
Durbuy is a small medieval town with narrow streets and a topiary park, on the edge of the Ardennes forest. The roads in this region are winding and wooded, and spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons.
Which stops are on The Ardennes?
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Luxembourg
Luxembourg - 245 km
Vianden
Luxembourg - 31 km
Vianden Castle
HistoryVianden, LuxembourgA restored hilltop castle above a river town in the Luxembourg Ardennes.
- 4104 km
Bouillon
Belgium - 566 km
Dinant
Belgium - 650 km
Durbuy
Belgium
How do you drive The Ardennes in 3 days?
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Luxembourg → Vianden Castle · 46 km · 0 h 38 minOn the way: Vianden.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Bleesbruck (7 km); Camping Neumuhle (11 km).
- Day 2: Vianden Castle → Bouillon · 104 km · 1 h 26 minOvernight nearby, for example: Île de Faigneul (4 km); Le Palis (7 km).
- Day 3: Bouillon → Durbuy · 116 km · 1 h 36 minOn the way: Dinant.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Eau Zone (9 km); Camping Le Festival (15 km).
When is the best time for The Ardennes?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
What should you know before driving The Ardennes?
No motorway tolls or vignettes expected for a car.
- Luxembourg: No motorway tolls for cars. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
- Belgium: No motorway tolls for cars. Low-emission zones in Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent; register foreign vehicles. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
More routes for the best months
Practical guides for this route
Themes
Plan this route for your vehicle
Scout adapts this route to your vehicle, your days and your budget.
FAQs
How long is The Ardennes: Luxembourg and Belgium?
3-day road trip of about 266 km (165 mi) with 6 stops, from Luxembourg to Durbuy. About 3 h 40 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for The Ardennes: Luxembourg and Belgium?
We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 40 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does The Ardennes: Luxembourg and Belgium start and end?
It starts in Luxembourg and ends in Durbuy.
Which countries does The Ardennes: Luxembourg and Belgium pass through?
Luxembourg and Belgium.
Where can you camp along The Ardennes: Luxembourg and Belgium?
OpenStreetMap lists 203 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Kockelscheuer, Camping Bon Accueil Alzingen and Camping Krounebierg.
