Trail Report – Jalhay Black Extratrail
On Wednesday, June 4th, Ilse and I took on the black Extratrail in Jalhay. We were blessed with perfect running conditions: the morning started off sunny, and later, some clouds rolled in just in time to keep the temperature pleasantly cool.
Our trail backpacks were fully stocked with water, sports drinks, gels, and energy bars, ready for whatever the trail would throw at us.
The route itself was truly beautiful, offering stunning views and varied terrain. If we had to mention one minor downside, it would be the relatively high number of paved sections. However, after tackling some intense forest paths, those paved stretches near the end actually came as a bit of a relief.
The stretch between kilometers 30 and 34 turned quite technical, not exactly “runnable” anymore, but that was also the most scenic and rewarding part of the whole route. We took the opportunity to pause for photos and soak in the views.
Including our breaks, it took us about 4 hours and 13 minutes to complete the trail. Sure, it was challenging at times, but above all, it was an incredibly enjoyable experience.
We’ll definitely be back to explore more trails in the Ardennes!