Halte Royal d'Ardenne
Halte Royal d'Ardennes
The private train station King Leopold II built for the Belgian royal family now lies abandoned.

📜 The Halte Royal d'Ardennes (the Royal Train Stop of the Ardennes) was a private train stop built for King Leopold II of Belgium, linked to the royal family's summer residence, Château royal d'Ardenne.
Court architect Alphonse Balat designed the opulent residence, completed in 1891.
Guests and royalty used the private train stop to visit the château.
After World War I, it briefly reopened, but after World War II, it suffered further damage.
In 1968, the hotel burned down and the train stop was abandoned.

Why Go

🏰 Impressive ruin with watch tower and stone walls.
🌳 Surrounded by River Lesse, woods, and hills of the Belgian Ardennes.
✨ Dilapidated station looks like something out of a fairytale.
🛤️ Features a special cobblestone driveway spiraling from the platform.

Why Avoid

⚠️ Not wheelchair accessible.
🚶 Requires a bit of a hike to reach the station.
🗺️ Hidden in the woods, GPS recommended.
🌿 Path can be overgrown in the first yards.

🅿️ Parking

Easiest access via golf club road; turn left before "Private" sign.

💡 Tips

Google Maps labels the abandoned train station as "Ruïne van kasteel".
Follow the path down for about 15 minutes to find the train stop.

Last updated 1 day ago

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