scenic viewpoint
Gileppe Dam
A 19th-century dam near Spa crowned by a 13-ton stone lion, with a 78 m panorama tower and forested Ardennes reservoir views a short detour off the Verviers road.
18 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeBelgiumWallonia
Melen
Wallonia, Belgium · Europe
About Melen
Melen works well as a base: 5 minutes from Barchon, 20km from Ninglinspo Valley.
Melen is in Wallonia, Belgium, with about 3,200 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Barchon, about 4 km away.
Where to Stay in Melen
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Melen?
Within an hour or so of Melen: Gileppe Dam (18 km), Ninglinspo Valley (20 km), Vrijthof Maastricht (23 km), Vaalserberg Drielandenpunt (23 km).
Are there any good drives near Melen?
The nearest famous roads are Baraque de Fraiture, Chimay Street Circuit and Moselle Valley Road (B53).
Where is Melen?
Melen is in Wallonia, Belgium, about 4 km from Barchon.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 3,174
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Belgium
- Region
- Wallonia
- Timezone
- Europe/Brussels
- Coordinates
- 50.6462, 5.7359
Tags
Worth the detour from Melen
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Ninglinspo Valley
Belgium's only true mountain stream, tumbling through the Aywaille woods in a chain of red-rock cascades and natural bathing pools with names like 'Bain de Diane'; the trail starts directly at the Sedoz roadside parking.
20 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Vrijthof Maastricht
A grand cafe-ringed square anchored by two medieval churches in the Netherlands' oldest, most Burgundian city.
23 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Vaalserberg Drielandenpunt
The Netherlands' highest mainland point at 322.4 metres, where the Dutch, Belgian and German borders meet near Vaals.
23 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Valkenburg Marl Caves
Hill-country Valkenburg hides Roman-era marl tunnels, a ruined castle and the Netherlands' only true hilltop drives.
25 km · about 30 min drive
cathedral
Aachen Cathedral (Aachener Dom)
The first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany, built by Charlemagne as his palatine chapel in the 9th century.
28 km · about 35 min drive
racetrack
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Home of the Belgian Grand Prix, featuring the legendary Eau Rouge corner
29 km · about 35 min drive
national park
Hautes Fagnes
Belgium's highest, wildest plateau of peat bog and boardwalk trails, often the snowiest corner of the country.
30 km · about 35 min drive
Driving roads near Melen
5 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
- 18 kmGileppe DamA 19th-century dam near Spa crowned by a 13-ton stone lion, with a 78 m panorama tower and forested Ardennes reservoir views a short detour off the Verviers road.
- 23 kmVaalserberg DrielandenpuntThe Netherlands' highest mainland point at 322.4 metres, where the Dutch, Belgian and German borders meet near Vaals.
- 30 kmSignal de BotrangeAt 694m this is the highest point in Belgium, marked by a stone tower on the Hautes Fagnes plateau.
- 44 kmBaraque de FraitureBelgium's second-highest point at 652 m, a windswept Ardennes plateau crossroads on the N89 with a small ski station and sweeping high-fen scenery.
Driving in Belgium
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.74/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
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