Challiman

We'll be in Belgium Oct 20-24, part of the time in the Ardennes, and wondered what the fall foliage would be like. Also, how hilly is the area around Bastogne? Any other useful info is welcome. We do have a guide for two days for the WWII sites. Thanks!

Challiman

Oh come on, I know you Fodorites, somebody out there knows the answers? Pretty please?

MyriamC

It's slightly hilly around Bastogne and there are a lot of woods. But don't expect fall foliage to look anything like in New England! The Ardennes have a lot of pine trees that stay green year round.

BTilke

Ditto to what Myriam said.

Also, if you want to go for a hike in the Ardennes forest, take a quick look around to see if any signs are posted regarding whether you're in boar hunting territory.

flanneruk

It's not just a question of deciduous/coniferous trees. Very few deciduous trees at this latitude in Western Europe have the leaves that get the North American reddish tones just before they fall - and the autumn leaf season is typically a lot longer and a lot less predictable than in eastern North America.

So from about now, often until early to mid December, you get constant subtly changing spectrums of straw to orange to brown leaves, with a good sprinkling of evergreens. Undramatic for many casual visitors (outside a few arboretums, there's little leaf-peeping in Western Europe) - but hugely satisfying if you live surrounded by it. The woodland in front of this desk, for example, has been almost monotonous since May: but its colours will be changing every day for the next three months.

Challiman

Thank you Myriam, BT, and Flanner. I was having trouble finding info and knew you were out there! We live in the US Midwest, and there can be some very colorful trees here, so I just wondered what we might see in Belgium. I like the idea of a slower change. Unfortunately, ours usually turn and fall off within weeks. And then the work begins!
Counting the days til we arrive!

nytraveler

Europe doesn't have the types of trees - or temp conditions - that make for the 2 weeks or so of incredible colors (from brightest red through oranges and yellows) that you get in the northern US in the fall.

Some trees do change before the leaves drop - but not a lot to look at.