We have picked the best spots for you! As you know, stags bellow from approximately mid-September to mid-October. It’s the perfect time to go the Ardennes and (re)discover this mysterious yet fascinating spectacle. In Belgium, the Saint-Hubert massif, the Anlier forest, and the areas around Han-sur-Lesse and Stoumont are among the places where your chances of hearing the call of the stag are highest.
On this page you'll find the 2026 dates for the call of the stag, our listening spots identified province by province, tips to follow so as not to disturb the animals, and a selection of guided outings with our partners. With each of them, Ardennes étape clients get an exclusive benefit.
Where to hear the call of the stag in the Ardennes? The best spots and our top tips for 2026 excursions and guided tours
Namur province
The call of the stag in Han-sur-Lesse at the Domain of the Caves of Han
Choose between an evening or morning visit at the Domain of the Caves of Han. In the evening, travel through the park in a safari car by moonlight to watch stags demonstrating their power to attract females. If you prefer to listen to the stags bellow in the morning, lace up your walking shoes to stealthily observe the king of our forests.
Practical information:
- Language: French + Dutch
- Dates: Dusk visit: 18/09, 19/09, 20/09, 25/09, 26/09, 27/09, 02/10, 03/10, 04/10, 09/10, 10/10, 11/10/2026
- Dusk visit with meal: 18/09, 19/09, 25/09, 26/09, 02/10, 03/10, 09/10, 10/10/2026
- Morning visits: 19/09, 20/09, 26/09, 27/09, 03/10, 04/10, 10/10, 11/10/2026
- Special morning visits for children: 19/09, 26/09, 03/10, 10/10/2026
- Duration of the experience (excluding meal): For dusk visits: 1h45. For morning visits: 3h30. For morning visits for children: 1h30
- From 4 years old for safari-car visits and 6 years old for morning visits
- Price: Dusk visit: without meal: Child (4-11 years): 25 euros. Adult: 32 euros. With meal: child (4-11 years) 40 euros. Adult: 60 euros. / Morning visit: Child (6-11 years) 28 euros. Adult: 35 euros. / Visits explained to children: Child (4-11 years): 21 euros. Adults: 30 euros
- Meal: Optional in the evening (check the menu on our partner's website). Breakfast in the morning (included in the price)
- Booking terms: Booking and payment in advance with the code VISEX26ARE.
- More info? Right here!
Special offer for Ardennes étape privilege clients: As an Ardennes étape client, enjoy a preferential rate for your visit (15% discount), excluding the meal, by mentioning the code VISEX26ARE when booking.
The call of the stag in Houyet
The Houyet Tourist Office offers you guided nocturnal walks to listen to the stags' rut. The programme is also a treat for the taste buds, as you'll be able to enjoy a mulled wine after your walk!
Practical information:
- Language: French
- Dates: 16/09, 18/09, 23/09, 26/09, 10/10/2026
- Duration of the experience: 2h30
- Location: Houyet or Ciergnon
- From 6 years old
- Maximum 20 - 25 people
- Price: 9 euros
- Booking terms: Booking by email: info@tourismehouyet.be
- More info
Special offer for Ardennes étape privilege clients: As an Ardennes étape customer, receive a 1 euro discount per adult on presentation of your Activity Pass.
The call of the stag in Bièvre from the Symbiosa park
The Symbiosa park welcomes you for a guided walk to listen to the stags' rut in the Bièvre region. Located right in the heart of nature, the park is the ideal starting point to immerse yourself in the forest and enjoy this grandiose spectacle!
Practical information:
- Language: French or English
- Dates: By reservation from 15/09 to 31/10/2026
- Duration of the experience: 2h
- Location: Starting from the park
- Minimum 4, maximum 12 people
- Price: 50 euros per person
- Booking terms: Booking via our partner's website
- More info
Special offer for Ardennes étape privilege clients: As an Ardennes-étape customer, you'll enjoy a local drink upon presentation of your Activity Pass
Liège province:
The call of the stag in Theux: A VIP tour with a keeper at Forestia
Head to Forestia park where you’ll meet up with a keeper for a VIP evening. What’s on the programme? A short introduction before heading out to observe the king of our forests, followed by a question and answer session and, of course, a good meal at Forest’Bar for those who want to indulge themselves.
Practical information:
- Language: French
- Dates: 11/09, 17/09, 18/09, 24/09, 25/09/2026
- Duration of the experience (excluding meal): 2 hours
- From 8 years old.
- Price: 19.50 euros per adult / 17.50 euros per teenager / 13.50 euros per child
- Meal: Optional (several menus available).
- Booking terms: Booking and payment in advance via our partner's website
- More info? Right here!
Special offer for Ardennes étape privilege clients: As an Ardennes étape client, benefit from a preferential rate (EUR 2 discount per person) by mentioning the code ARDENNESETAPE when booking. (select the "no subscription" option when booking online).
The call of the stag in Stoumont: follow Vanessa
Vanessa is a nature guide who is passionate about her region and its hidden treasures. With her, it’s all about improvisation! Depending on what you’re looking for, she will plan an evening just for you, finding the most beautiful spots to listen and observe.
Practical information:
- Language: French and English
- Dates: By appointment and subject to availability from 15/09 to 5/10/2026
- Duration of the experience: about 2 hours
- From 10 years old. Minimum 8 people and maximum 15 people per group
- Price: 15 euros per adult and 10 euros per child
- Booking terms: Contact Vanessa at +32.(0)499457204 or vanessa.autunno@gmail.com
Special offer for Ardennes étape privilege clients: As an Ardennes étape client, enjoy homemade tapenade toasts at the end of the experience upon presentation of your Activity Pass.
Luxembourg Province:
The call of the stag in Anlier: follow your guide in the Anlier forest
Head for one of the most expansive forests in the Ardennes, where the Tourism Office will take you to the heart of the forest to listen to the call of the stag. Begin your evening with a guided nature walk, starting from Fauvillers. After that, savour some regional delicacies before continuing your evening with a walk in the woods to listen to the stags bellow.
Practical information:
- Language: French + Dutch (depending on the chosen date)
- Dates: 11/09, 12/09, 16/09, 18/09, 19/09, 23/09, 25/09, 26/09, 27/09/2026 (in FR) - 11/09, 16/09, 18/09, 25/09, 26/09/2026 (in NL)
- Duration of the experience: 5 hours (from approximately 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm)
- Location: Fauvillers
- From 10 years old
- Maximum 12 people
- Price: 35 euros
- Meal: Included in the price (tasting of local produce)
- Booking terms: Booking via info@capsureanlier.be or on +32.61 21 80 05
- More info
Special offer for Ardennes étape privilege clients: As an Ardennes étape client, receive a great perpetual calendar from the Maison du Tourisme upon presentation of your Activity Pass.
The call of the stag in Saint-Hubert or Anlier: a personalised walk with Olivier
Olivier will take care of your every need in this experience that is tailored to your wishes. The choice is yours! Together, you can create your itinerary and explore the forest of Anlier, Saint-Hubert or Fauvillers. Observe and listen to the stag and deer, as you get to know these fascinating animals.
Practical information:
- Language: French + Dutch
- Dates: By appointment and subject to availability from 10/09 to 30/09/2026
- Duration of the experience: 4 hours from 6 to 10 pm or from 5 to 9 am
- Location: Anlier forest or Saint-Hubert forest
- From 12 years old. Minimum 4 and maximum 10 people
- Price: Flat rate of 120 euros per group
- Booking terms: by email o.delmee@gmail.com or by phone 0496 21 67 66
- More info
Special offer for Ardennes étape privilege clients: 1 free local aperitif in the forest (alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage) on presentation of your Activity Pass.
The call of the stag at the Baraque Fraiture: a big hike with Cairn Outdoor
Right next to the Baraque Fraiture, Julien takes you on a 20 km walk so you can enjoy everything autumn has to offer: scents, atmosphere, colours, ... and this unique experience: listening to the stags' rut. Set aside a full day for this extraordinary walk!
Practical information:
- Language: French + English
- Dates: 26/09, 03/10 and 10/10/2026
- Duration of the experience: 1 day
- Location: Baraque Fraiture
- From 12 years old. Minimum 3 and maximum 8 people
- Price: from 69 euros
- Evening meal and aperitif included (option to bring a midday snack)
- Booking terms: via our partner's website
- More info
Special offer for Ardennes étape privilege clients: Enjoy 10% off this activity with the promo code "BrameCairn10" and upon presentation of your Activity Pass.
Where to stay to hear the rut? Our holiday homes in the Ardennes
We even have houses where you may be able to hear the call of the stag from the patio. Choose a holiday home on the edge of the forest or close to a clearing. That would be a true Ardennes experience!
Our top tips for the best experience:
- Wear dark, warm clothes and bring a raincoat if needed
- Stags have a very strong sense of smell: don’t wear perfume
- Wear your walking shoes
- Don’t forget your binoculars! Stags are observed from a distance
- If you wish to take photos, turn off the flash
- Don’t take a torch, it might scare the animals away. Your eyes will adjust to the dark
- Leave your four-legged companion at home
- Shhh! Be quiet while listening to the stags bellow so that you don’t scare the stags or deer
- Finally, don’t forget to share your photos and experience with us! We can’t wait to hear your feedback.
Frequently asked questions about the call of the stag
Why does the stag call?
It is thanks to the power of his roar that the king of the forest will seduce his chosen one. A stag will sometimes have to excel to face competitors and get the favours of the females he wants. Often he will have to impose himself physically by removing his opponents.
Deer fighting is violent and some loose parts of their antlers during combat. So it is no coincidence that their antlers are at their best in rutting season. They are usually 70 to 90 cm long and have sharp tips. The fights are impressive, the deer antlers clash violently and resonate in the distance.
What does the sound of the stag sound like?
Here's a little preview of this extraordinary spectacle:
What time is best to listen?
The best times are dawn and late evening.
How long does the deer rut last?
The deer rut takes place from mid-September to mid-October in the Ardennes, with a peak generally in late September.
