With the crisp air and vibrant colours of the changing seasons, autumn always brings an inner hankering to pack a bag and hit the trails. We are incredibly blessed with beautiful walking paths right in our local area, but there is something magical about exploring new surroundings. Combine that with a cosy cabin, sweeping nature views, and a touch of local sightseeing in a historic village, and you have the perfect recipe for a mid-week escape before winter sets in.
When planning this type of retreat, I always look for self-catering accommodations that offer a fully equipped kitchen, a comfortable lounge area, and most importantly, a fantastic view. Last year, we headed to Germany to explore the Eifel National Park. This year, I had my eyes set on a familiar favourite: the Ardennes in Belgium.
Finding the Perfect Tiny House in Durbuy
It is no secret that I love using unique travel booking platforms to find hidden gems. It was through Vipio that I discovered a stunning, modern tiny house accommodation located in Petite Enneille, just a stone’s throw from Durbuy.
Managed by Durbuy Insolite, the site features four contemporary lodges designed in a striking modern barn style. It actually felt like a mini version of our own home! Each lodge is fully equipped for a luxurious stay, featuring:
- A functional kitchenette and separate toilet
- Air conditioning and high-speed WiFi
- A king-size bed and a cosy living area with a TV
- A bathroom complete with a shower and a bathtub with a view
- An outdoor deck with seating and a private wood-fired hot tub
The real highlight of this property is the panoramic view overlooking the Grandhan valleys and distant forests. As a beautiful bonus, a number of resident horses and ponies graze right outside the windows, putting on a playful show of galloping and racing each morning and evening.
Day 1: Cosy Check-ins and a Twilight Loop Trail
The journey from our home was a smooth 2.5-hour drive. Because we arrived a bit ahead of the 16:00 check-in time, we took a short detour to the nearby town of Marche-en-Famenne to grab a drink. I had envisioned a lively church square lined with bustling terraces, but that charm is mostly reserved for the summer. On a grey October afternoon, the terraces were packed away, so we headed straight to our lodge.
The accommodation was just as stunning as the pictures. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls perfectly bring the outdoors indoors, creating a wide expanse where nature feels like part of the living room.
Since we planned on hiking every day of our trip, we opened up our Komoot app—our easy go-to subscription for tracking trails—and picked a quick 6-kilometer loop to start. The hour-long walk offered lovely twilight views of the neighbouring village of Somme-Leuze, bringing us back just as darkness fell. There is a distinct sense of comfort in cooking your own dinner on an active holiday, and we spent a quiet evening relaxing inside our glass-walled haven.
Day 2: The Grand 22km Petite Enneille-Durbuy Loop Trail
Our second day was the main event: a challenging 22-kilometer loop designed for serious hiking in the Belgian Ardennes. After a hearty late breakfast, we packed our lunches and set off on a route connecting Grandhan, Petitehan, and the historic center of Durbuy.
The trail offered a diverse mix of scenic agricultural fields, quiet residential streets, and paths tracing the winding River Ourthe. By early afternoon, we arrived in Durbuy and stopped for a much-needed drink at C’est de la faute de maman, a charming cafe tucked right around the corner from the Anticline of Durbuy—the town’s famous geological landmark.
With half the walk still ahead of us and light rain showers moving in, we didn’t stay long. The return leg took us back along the River Ourthe before heading deep into a thick forest. Luckily, the dense canopy kept us dry from the rain. We made it back to the tiny house just as night fell, entirely grateful for the luxury of a home-cooked meal and a warm bath right in the bedroom after a demanding day on our feet.
Day 3: Slow Paced Trails and Wood-Fired Hot Tub Relaxation
Promising to be kind to our muscles on day three, we ditched our original plans for another long trek and opted for a gentler 11-kilometer loop around Grandhan and Grande Enneille. The route led us through dense, quiet forests. Because it’s a lesser-known trail, we didn’t encounter a single soul the entire time—and while we weren’t looking for company, we absolutely loved the stillness. It turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable hike.
We wrapped up by early afternoon to enjoy the outdoor wood-fired hot tub. These tubs require about one to two hours of fire-tending to heat up properly. While I prepped some afternoon snacks, the Dutchman got the fire roaring.
Soaking in the warm water while watching the autumn mist settle over the green valley and watching the horses pass by was incredibly rejuvenating. While we initially thought the steel design might be uncomfortable, it was perfectly spacious and cosy for two adults.
For our final evening, we treated ourselves to a dinner reservation at La Passerelle in Grandhan. It was a wonderful local dining experience:
- Starter: We shared a classic plate of Dutch bitterballen with delicious mustard.
- Mains: Pan-fried sea bass for myself and a perfectly cooked entrecote (rib-eye steak) for the Dutchman.
- Dessert: I ordered the classic Café Gourmand featuring mini desserts which we shared paired with an espresso. The Dutchman preferred his coffee with milk, hence a cappuccino.
I love balancing home-cooked meals with local restaurant visits on holiday. The only exception is usually our summer beach trips, where long days naturally draw us to buzzing outdoor terraces every night.
Day 4: The Most Beautiful Hike Along the River Ourthe
On our final morning, we checked out at 11:00 and drove into Durbuy to maximise our last day. We parked at the Parc des Topiaires parking lot, accessibly located by the River Ourthe right across the Durbuy castle, which offers a convenient flat day-rate of 9 euros—ideal if you aren’t sure how long your walk or sightseeing will take.
From the parking lot, we embarked on a 10-kilometer loop toward Bohon and Barvaux before circling back to town. This turned out to be the most visually stunning route of the entire trip. The stretch directly following the bend of the River Ourthe put the absolute best of autumn’s colours on full display.
We wrapped up the afternoon with small bites and drinks at a local bistro called Sept by Juliette, did a bit of boutique shopping through the historic streets, and started our 2.5-hour drive home. Durbuy is easily one of the most picturesque destinations in Belgium, and its historic streets and this particular hike merit a dedicated post of their own very soon.
All in all, this mid-week escape was flawless. It proved that you don’t have to travel far from home to immerse yourself in a completely different landscape, culture, and atmosphere.
Happy Travels!
With love from Jo
Travel Period: October 2026
Durbuy, Luxemburg, (Wallonia), Belgium