Aerial view of Lake Bütgenbach at a narrow point, a stone arch bridge spanning the water, a small hamlet and forest all around

Lake Bütgenbach

Living to the rhythm of the lake

The lake on your doorstep

Nature Lake Village sits where Lake Bütgenbach begins: on the shore opposite the village, right where several streams feed the lake. From your villa, about 500 m on foot takes you to the water.

So you are not staying in the centre of Bütgenbach but right by the lake: the water on your doorstep, forest all around, and the dam about 3.5 km away.

A lake born of the Warche

Lake Bütgenbach is not a natural lake. It was created between 1929 and 1932, when the Warche, long one of Belgium’s most unpredictable rivers, was held back by a 23-metre-high arch dam.

The dam was built to tame the river and supply water to the industries of Malmedy; since 1933 a power station here has also been generating electricity.

Today the reservoir forms a lake of around 125 hectares, fed by the Warche and the Holzwarche, and has become the heart of the region’s outdoor life.

In winter, the lake is partly drained: the water level drops noticeably and the exposed shores give the landscape a whole different face.

1929–1932
dam construction
23 m
arch dam height
≈ 125 ha
of open water

The lake loop through the seasons

Aerial view of Lake Bütgenbach on a summer day, wooded shores under a blue sky The evening sun draws a golden trail across the lake, a tree frames the sandy beach Aerial view of the gentle hills around Lake Bütgenbach, meadows and forests around the water The mirror-still lake at the blue hour, the wooded shores reflected in it Egyptian geese swimming on Lake Bütgenbach in summer Evening light over Lake Bütgenbach, a tree frames the bay with a boat on the horizon Sunset in warm pink tones over the lakeside path at Lake Bütgenbach Lakeshore in autumn colours under a changing sky Winter walk on the lakeside path, the village on the far shore Quiet bay of the lake under a blue winter sky Golden winter light over the frosted shores of the lake Frosted path down to the water, the bay beyond Winter sun behind bare trees on the lakeshore Frosted reeds in front of the snow-covered lake Snowy path to the bay on a quiet winter day The beach under snow, the village across the lake

A day by the water

The water is about 500 m away on foot, the dam about 3.5 km. In between, the lake is yours to explore on foot, by bike or on the water.

  • Trail marker on the lakeside path, Lake Bütgenbach in the background

    The lake loop

    A trail of about 10 km circles the lake between shore and forest, passing the dam and running right past Nature Lake Village.

  • Cyclists on the RAVeL viaduct, the former railway line near Bütgenbach

    Cycling & mountain biking

    The RAVeL, built on a former railway line, runs through the municipality; the surrounding forest tracks are made for mountain biking.

  • Several stand-up paddleboarders and kayakers on Lake Bütgenbach in summer, the wooded shore behind

    SUP & kayak

    Paddleboards and kayaks can be hired at the VENNtastic Beach, in summer even without booking.

  • Small Optimist dinghies from a sailing course out on a lake

    Sailing & windsurfing

    The Worriken sports centre on the lakeshore offers sailing and windsurfing courses and camps.

  • Summer view across Lake Bütgenbach, the water sparkling in the sun

    Swimming & beach

    The VENNtastic Beach combines 8,000 m² of sandy beach, a supervised swimming area and a children’s bay.

A day at the lake, an evening in your villa.
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