Trail Festival du Barrage

Under its new name, the Trail Festival du Barrage, the event returns on Saturday 19 September 2026 with a fresh new approach and an expanded sporting programme for trail running and outdoor enthusiasts. This unique weekend will take place in the heart of the Parc naturel des deux Ourthes, around the impressive dam of Nisramont, one of the most beautiful natural sites in the Belgian Ardennes. For the first time, the event will be held on a Saturday rather than a Sunday so that everyone can enjoy it to the full without having to rush home.

The Trail Festival du Barrage will offer a range of distances so that beginners and experienced trail runners alike can find a challenge to suit them.

Over 95% of the routes will consist of off-road terrain, featuring technical trails, rocks, tree roots, challenging climbs and fast descents. This promises to be a thrilling and memorable experience for all trail running enthusiasts.

A relatively new and very popular format, the trail-kayak-trail event is run in pairs. Teams tackle a course comprising 7 km of trail running, 4 km of kayaking and 9 km of trail running, exploring the Parc naturel des deux Ourthes both on land and on water. This format is proving hugely popular, but we only have 300 places available for pairs.

As well as being a sporting challenge, the event is also a social occasion. From 4 pm, shorter distances are available, mainly for local participants. All proceeds from the jogging d’Ortho (3.5 km, 7 km or 11 km) will be donated in full to the children at the neighbouring primary school. Participants and spectators will then be invited to enjoy a lively after-race party with music, food and drinks until late in the evening. Great atmosphere guaranteed!