Outdoor Centre

Who they are

Outdoor Centre is an outdoor activities company in La Roche-en-Ardenne, in the Belgian Ardennes, centred on the River Ourthe. Its starting point is the Les Merlettes estate, at Val du Pierreux 2, at the entrance to the village; the company has its head office in Nadrin, upriver. Neither its website nor the tourism listings say who runs it or since when it has operated.

As well as hiring kayaks, it prepares tailor-made activities for leisure groups, sports groups, schools and companies, with instructors hired separately, and hires mountain bikes by the day or half day.

Where the Ourthe goes

All descents end at La Roche, and the route depends on the water level of the river:

• From Maboge to La Roche, about 10 km and around an hour and a half. It is the short stretch and the most suitable for families and beginners.
• From Nisramont to La Roche, about 21 km and around four hours, from the Nisramont dam and through the Hérou gorge. Visit Wallonia describes it as suitable for all levels, but it is a long day.
• Lake Nisramont, about two hours, only for groups with a booking or when the river is not navigable.

If the water allows, it also organises the raft descent from Nisramont to La Roche, with paddles, life jackets and helmets included; they ask that you be in good shape. Kayaks are hired with a life jacket and transfer to the starting point. The prices and times of what we list are in the offers on this page.

When you can go down

In a summer drought the level of the Ourthe can drop so far that the authorities ban kayaking, as happened in 2026 from 23 June. So it is wise to phone on the same day or the day before to find out which stretch is open. Visit Wallonia lists it as open all year, but out of season it works mainly by booking.

What to know

The sources do not publish a minimum age or whether you need to be able to swim; with small children, ask beforehand. Dogs are admitted. At Les Merlettes there is parking, bike racks, a play area and a restaurant. Wear clothes that can get wet, footwear that holds the foot and bring a change for the end. As all descents end in the village, the centre of La Roche and the climb to the ruins of its feudal castle are close at hand afterwards.

Booking and languages

You book by phone (+32 84 44 41 12), by email ([email protected]) or from the booking button on its website, which is in Dutch, French, English and German. At present the website gives errors and does not show its pages, so the phone is the safest route. Neither the website nor the tourism listings publish a cancellation policy.