If you love to spend a weekend hiking along rivers and staying in a cozy tree house in Spa, then La Cabane du Bois Dormant is the perfect spot for you! This cabin hidden in the trees is located only five minutes driving from the center of Spa. This area is known for its many sources and rivers and offers plenty of hiking opportunities. But that is not all! It is also home to Schumacher’s favorite racetrack, a fantastic skydiving club and Belgium’s highest point!
This article is in collaboration with Wallonië België Toerisme (Wallonia Belgium Tourism), however my opinion is as always my own.
A weekend at a cozy tree house in Spa
The arrival at La Cabane du Bois Dormant
La Cabane du Bois Dormant is located in Spa, on the domain of a former caretaker’s house of a nearby castle. I could park the car next to the tree house. At the front door of the owner’s house I noticed a small sign saying “Grandma’s Place – Kids Spoiled Here”. I rang the doorbell and indeed grandma opened the front door. She was friendly and guided me to the cabin on her Crocs slippers, explaining she always makes sure the birds and squirrels have enough food. She put more food like nuts and seeds in the open bird house and the squirrel box feeder.
Before entering the tree house she took off her slippers and told me not to enter with my shoes on. Which I liked, since I never wear my shoes inside the house either (especially not after a dirty muddy hike). Inside she put on the heating (but it was not really necessary) and she showed me where everything was, being proud there was an actual real toilet with a flusher (according to her, a lot of these tree houses have “dry toilets”). Then she left and I could start exploring the tree house and enjoying my stay.
The tree house
The inside of the cabin is one open space divided by a central wall. On one side of the wall you will find the sleeping and living area and on the other side, the bathroom. All the furniture and walls are made of wood, which gives its interior a warm cozy look. A lot of African masks and paintings decorate the walls, but I did not get a super exotic feel. Probably because they were also made of wood and in neutral colors, so they blended in well.
In front of the window with a view on the squirrel box feeder stands a dinner table, so you get to see the squirrels while having your own meal. The open bird house in front of the big window offers a view of many different kinds of birds (and also squirrels) stopping by to eat. Even though there is a big TV hanging on the wall, I did not use it, since it was so much fun to watch the birds and squirrels stopping by.
The tree house smells like freshly washed laundry, coming from the bed sheets and towels. The bathroom is spacious, with an open shower, which was not thàt convenient, since I had to watch every move I made to make sure not to flood the whole area around it. But the bed was super comfortable and I did not wake up until the next morning from the sound of the squirrels playing on the roof!
Eating at the tree house in Spa
There is no kitchen at the tree house, but an electric kettle to boil water, a coffee machine and crockery and cutlery are available at your disposal. There are plenty of restaurants in the neighborhood. But I did not try any, since I was too tired and lazy to drive in the evening. I just wanted to put on my PJs and get comfortable. I always take instant noodles from home in case I am in that kind of mood.
Breakfast gets delivered in a picnic basket on your doorstep around 9.00 in the morning by the owner. It contains freshly baked bread, a croissant, freshly made jams like passion fruit and strawberry, charcuterie and cheeses, yoghurt, nuts and muesli, an egg, self-made apple juice,… I really enjoyed having breakfast together with the squirrels.
Location: Av. Peltzer de Clermont 26, 4900 Spa
Book here: La Cabane du Bois Dormant
Activities & Places to visit near La Cabane du Bois Dormant
- The Parc naturel Hautes Fagnes (High Fens): This nature reserve offers plenty of hiking opportunities. Here you find Belgium’s highest hilltops and also the biggest chance of snow during the wintertime!
- Reinhardstein castle & waterfall hike: This hike will take you through the Warche valley and is about 5 km long. You will encounter the medieval castle Reinhardstein and its waterfall (the highest of Belgium).
- Hoëgne Valley: The Hoëgne river is one of the most impressive rivers of Belgium. The river’s source is situated at 660m altitude near Baraque Michel, one of Belgium’s highest points. This walk will lead you along the river’s most fast flowing part.
- La Statte: This is another river hike along the Statte. On your way you will encounter a troll rock and hole, Rocher de Bilisse (a massive vertical rock formation) and the Cascade des Nutons (troll’s waterfall).
- Ninglinspo: one of the most famous hikes in the Belgian Ardennes. Its popularity became its downside though, since it got closed during the Covid pandemic. I drove by recently (Oct 2021) and I noticed a sign saying it was still closed. So do check before going there.
- Trôs Marets: the first part of this hike will take you along the Trôs Marets river. You will even need to use cables at a certain part! The second part will guide you through the woods.
- Les Deux Vallées: This is one of my favorite hikes leading to the third highest waterfall of Belgium; Cascade du Bayehon. You will follow the Bayehon stream until the hike takes you through the peatland and the forest to another stream; the Pouhon.
- Skydiving: At Spa-La Sauvenière Airport there is a fantastic skydive club! If you always wanted to go skydiving, this is the place to do it! The people at this club are absolutely amazing and super professional. They will give you an awesome skydiving experience!
- Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps: This is one of the most beautiful race circuits in the world! If you are a race car lover, make sure to check its schedule to see if you can go to watch a race!
Click on the pink name to get more information!
High Fens 
Reinhardstein 
La Hoëgne 
Rocher de Bilisse 
Ninglinspo 
Cascade du Bayehon 
Skydive Spa 
Spa Francorchamps
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So that is it! I hope you enjoyed this “Tree house in Spa” review and that it will help to plan your own trip! Do not hesitate to leave your comments or questions down below! If you want to help me a little please share this post on Facebook, Twitter or any kind of social media. A small thing for you to do that can make a big difference for me! Massive thanks! If you like the pictures in this article, I suggest to follow my Instagram account where you can find a lot more.
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