Question 1

Les aires de bivouac sont-elles gratuites ?

Accepted Answer

Oui, l'accès est gratuit mais la réservation est obligatoire.

Question 2

A quelle heure faut-il quitter l'aire de bivouac ?

Accepted Answer

Au plus tard à 9h.

Question 3

Peut-on rester sur l'aire de bivouac en journée ?

Accepted Answer

Non. La présence sur l'aire est interdite en journée.

Question 4

Peut-on faire du feu ?

Accepted Answer

Non. Le feu est interdit, mais l'usage d'un réchaud est autorisé.

Question 5

Où se trouvent les aires de bivouac ?

Accepted Answer

Elles se situent le long du GR16, à proximité de Sainte-Cécile, Cugnon, Dohan et Botassart. Les coordonnées exactes sont communiquées après réservation, quelques jours avant le départ.

Question 6

Combien de personnes les aires de bivouac peuvent-elles accueillir ?

Accepted Answer

9 personnes au maximum sont autorisées par aire de bivouac.

Question 7

Y a-t-il un abri sur chaque aire ?

Accepted Answer

Non. L'aire de bivouac de Cugnon ne compte pas d'abri, mais dispose de 4 emplacements pour tentes. Les trois autres aires de bivouac sont quant à elles bien équipées d'abris couverts.

Question 8

Que faire si une aire de bivouac est complète ?

Accepted Answer

Choisissez une autre aire de bivouac ou une autre date. Vous pouvez aussi opter pour un camping ou un autre hébergement disponible sur le territoire.

Question 9

What are the main objectives of the Semois Valley National Park?

Accepted Answer

The Semois Valley National Park has set itself two major objectives: to preserve the nature and heritage of the 29,000 hectares of the area, and to promote them by developing sustainable tourism.

Question 10

What are the differences between a National Park, a Nature Park and a Nature Reserve?

Accepted Answer

A national park differs from a nature reserve, which is defined as a nature protection tool that allows exceptional targeted areas to be placed under protected status.It also differs from a nature park. Unlike a national park, a nature park also includes towns and villages, as well as economic and built-up areas. As for its actions, they are aimed at the sustainable development of human activities in relation to resources and the living environment. A Nature Park can therefore include a National Park and nature reserves within its boundaries.The Vallée de la Semois is unique in that it nestles in the heart of two areas already recognised as Nature Parks and active over larger areas: the Southern Ardennes and Gaume Nature Parks. These will continue their activities in the future, and are a definite force for the development of the National Park, if only through the pooling of existing strengths and expertise.

Question 11

Will access to the Park be restricted? Will we still be able to walk, pick flowers and mushrooms, chop wood and hunt in the Park?

Accepted Answer

As a general rule, access to the territory of the National Park remains free and accessible to human activity.The National Park does not impose any new legal or regulatory constraints, other than those already in place in the Walloon Region (e.g. Nature Conservation Act, Forestry Code, hunting legislation, etc.).Each owner or manager remains free to opt, on a voluntary basis, for certain additional restrictions, such as placing their plot of land in a strict reserve, for example, to ensure the natural regeneration of plants or the peace and quiet of animals.

Question 12

What are the advantages of a National Park?

Accepted Answer

Recognition as a Wallonia National Park confers a series of benefits on the area, its inhabitants and visitors.Firstly, it provides additional human, technical and financial resources for the conservation, preservation, development and promotion of nature and biodiversity.Secondly, this label will help to optimise the Semois Valley's tourism potential, both nationally and internationally. It will encourage the development and professionalisation of services and infrastructures for reception, accommodation and catering, educational activities and sustainable leisure activities. It will also help to improve residents' quality of life, modernise the sustainable transport network, encourage soft mobility and accessibility for people with special needs, stimulate local economic activity and create jobs.Finally, it will help to develop scientific knowledge about this natural heritage, in favour of a more resilient natural environment (biodiversity, water, forests, climate, etc.).

Question 13

Is an excessive influx of tourists to be feared?

Accepted Answer

Reconnecting with nature is increasingly sought after by visitors in search of authenticity and rejuvenation. These visitors are likely to bring socio-economic benefits to the area they visit, through the creation of hospitality and service activities and the development of appropriate infrastructures.However, care must be taken to avoid the excesses of mass tourism (tourist pressure on certain areas, incivilities, rubbish, etc.).The Semois Valley National Park project provides for the controlled management of tourist flows.

Question 14

Who finances the Semois Valley National Park?

Accepted Answer

The Semois Valley National Park has a budget of just over €18 million, 80% of which is financed by the Walloon Recovery Plan, itself subsidised by European funds. The remaining 20% is provided by partners in the territorial coalition (including the municipalities and WWF-Belgium).The CGT (Commissariat Général au Tourisme) has also granted a subsidy to the national park to develop sustainable tourism in the area.

Question 15

Who manages the Semois Valley National Park?

Accepted Answer

The Semois Valley National Park is a charitable foundation with its own board of directors. The day-to-day management of the park and its activities is carried out by an executive committee and a coordinator. Around 40 project managers are responsible for carrying out the actions defined in the park's operational plan.A scientific committee will also be set up to guide the work of the project managers, as will a citizen's committee to enable local residents to make their voices heard.

Question 16

How were the actions planned as part of the National Park defined?

Accepted Answer

The actions to be taken to preserve nature and develop sustainable tourism in the National Park area have been defined thanks to the expertise of a group of professionals working in the two nature parks behind the project, as well as members of the territorial coalition and the general public.The Semois Valley National Park is a fundamentally collaborative project, driven by local players and residents.

Question 17

When will the actions planned as part of the Semois Valley National Park be carried out?

Accepted Answer

The operational plan for the Semois Valley National Park sets out 75 actions to be completed by 2026. Work has therefore begun and will continue until that date.A master plan has also been drawn up to set out longer-term prospects. Other actions will be launched once the 2026 deadline has been reached.

Question 18

What can you do in the Semois Valley National Park?

Accepted Answer

The Semois Valley National Park is first and foremost a natural area that you can enjoy on foot, by bike, on horseback or in a canoe... The park will not be setting up any attractions based on heavy infrastructures that have too great an impact on nature. Instead, we are going to develop a network of guides and river guides who are ambassadors for the National Park, and whose high level of expertise will offer real added value to visitors.In addition, a series of devices will be installed to enable everyone to observe nature and learn more about the area, while respecting the environment and local life.

Question 19

Is there entry to the park and is it free?

Accepted Answer

The Semois Valley National Park is an open natural area (with the exception of certain integral reserves). There is therefore no entrance fee to pay for access to this exceptional area. However, a charge may be made for some of the activities offered by the park.

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