The route to and from the Royompré waterfall is a fun, but technically challenging ride. After all, the road quality of some Walloon hill roads can vary greatly locally and that certainly demands your attention in the route to the waterfall. So it is best to divide your attention because the surroundings themselves will also demand your attention because of the beautiful views while you pass some hilltops.
After the waterfall, the route offers you good roads with long and fast bends and the weather is fully enjoyed in a different way while you pass famous places.

The route starts and stops in Tienen, the 'sugar city'. Everything around Tienen is therefore dominated by this 'addictive' substance that so many enjoy. You drive on the last part of the route past the factory and you can visit the sugar museum in the center if you wish.

The first part takes you through the typical Flemish agricultural landscape to the crossing over the Maas (rp19). The Maas is a 925 km long river that finds its source in France and eventually runs into the sea in the Netherlands. However, not without first creating a beautiful landscape along its banks. You will also notice this during this route where you also come along the main tributaries of the Meuse (Amblève (rp 40) and Ourthe (rp 21 & 42).

You can make a first stop in Esneux, along the Ourthe river (rp 20). Café BelleVue indeed offers you what it promises… a magnificent view of not only the Ourthe, but also of Chateau 'Le Fy', a fairytale castle, completely restored by a Dutch millionaire broker, that is proudly displayed on top of the hill . Unfortunately not to visit but the view alone will take your breath away, and certainly when you realize that it is private property. From a king then….

Between route points 26 and 30 you should not only pay attention to the beautiful surroundings, but also pay attention to the road. This section is very narrow and (in 2020) the road quality was rather 'challenging'. If desired, a first alternative can be found via the more northerly located Pepinster and Ensival and then drive back south to the route. A second alternative is to reconnect with the route thv rp30 in Banneux (just after rp24) via Theux, Marché and Sassor.

Finally, you will arrive at rp 34 at the destination of the trip, the Royompré waterfall in Jalhay. This waterfall was created when the road that the Hoëgne ran over was concreted. This created a unique, particularly photogenic location; after all, it is not always possible to just stand on top of a waterfall with a vehicle… It is possible here.
Unfortunately, the location is already shared too much and this does not always attract equally respectful people. The locals thus see with regret that 'strangers' here try to take the umpteenth shot of their vehicle with a lot of noise and display while the water splashes in all directions. Moreover, the bridge leads to a field where camps are set up in the summer and these youth movements are not always charmed by reckless drivers who do not treat the location with the necessary respect.

The best time to visit this location is therefore out of season and preferably not on a sunny weekend day when the nearby (and usually quiet) beach is used by the locals to relax. But if you treat both the local people and the environment with respect, you will certainly be given that one photo opportunity that you can look back on with pride.

Mind you, there is not (yet) a cafe or other place in the short vicinity of the waterfall. There is a picnic area, so if you bring your own picnic, you can enjoy the location directly from the parking / beach.

The town of Spa is located about ten kilometers after the Royompré waterfall. Where the world famous bottled water comes from. The route turns in Spa itself to the right and away from the busy center, but at rp 37 you can make a stop if desired and without obligation by turning left. You can drink or eat in one of the many occasions, visit one of the sources or even take a gamble in the casino if you happen to have a tuxedo in your top case.
Just after Spa you will pass a selection of petrol stations. These are the last ones on the route itself, so if necessary, you can also quench the thirst of your courageous steed.

The route then leads you through fun, sometimes surprising roads to Rémouchamps. If it is too busy in Spa (chances are very high) then Rémouchamps 13 kilometers away is an excellent and slightly quieter alternative. For example, an artisan ice cream on the banks of the Amblève tastes particularly good in Rémouchamps (rp 39), especially after a visit to the caves of Rémouchamps where you can take the longest underground boat trip in the world (700 meters).

If you continue the route you will pass the Ourthe for the second time on rp 42, as well as the Amblève and the Meuse, a lifeline for tourist Wallonia. You drive along the Ourthe for a moment and then pass a number of brightly curved bends and nice long roads under the wheels.
When you pass the Maas again at rp 46, it is time to look up a terrace at rp 47 'Le Tambour'. Pleasant terrace, spacious parking and last stop on the route.

You will notice it when you approach Tienen back. The landscape area disappears and suddenly you find yourself in an environment that clearly radiates industrialization, also in residential construction. Shortly afterwards you will pass the Tiense sugar factory (rp 63) on the Tiense ring.

In the center of Tienen you can easily find an opportunity to end the ride with a snack and / or a drink and, if desired, you can also visit the sugar museum on the market.

The ride deserves 4 stars for me. If the poor road quality didn't throw a spanner in the works between points 26 and 30, the route would have definitely been worth 5 stars. The Royompré waterfall location (rp34) is beautiful, the places you drive through are even famous (Spa rp37) and some views are breathtaking (Castle Le Fy rp 21). But also the roads to and from the Royompré waterfall are great fun, offer more than enough variety and outside the nice technical bends you will also find wonderfully elongated stretches where that 'motorbike feeling' completely captures you.

You will therefore be able to look back on a pleasant ride on the Tienen market and - who knows - also on a beautiful photo taken at the Royompré waterfall.