Watervallen van Coo

Why the Watervallen van Coo are worth the visit

The Watervallen van Coo are considered the largest natural waterfall in the Ardennes. That is relative: with a drop of around 15 metres, Coo is no Niagara. But for Belgium this is impressive, and there is plenty to work with photographically. The Amblève splits here into two arms that come together in a rocky basin. The sound alone puts you in the right frame of mind immediately.

The surroundings are green, wild and compact. You do not need a long walk to get close. That makes Coo accessible, but also busy in high season.

Light and seasons

Spring is the best time if you want to capture the water at its most powerful. Snowmelt and spring rainfall produce a full, churning flow. In the early morning the light is soft and the chances of tourists appearing in your frame are smallest.

Autumn tells a different story. The surrounding slopes turn orange and yellow, and the contrast with the white foam of the water is striking. Overcast days actually work better here than full sun: harsh shadows in a gorge are difficult to expose for.

Compositions and viewpoints

With a wide-angle lens, say 16 to 24mm on a full-frame body, you can capture both the fall and its surroundings. A longer shutter speed, somewhere between half a second and four seconds, renders the water silky smooth. Use a tripod, because you will not get this sharp handheld. A neutral density filter helps during the day to keep the shutter speed long enough.

There are several viewpoints. From the plateau above the fall you look down onto the flow. From the valley floor you look up and see the rock face as a backdrop. That lower viewpoint gives a rougher, more dynamic image. Experiment with both.

Practical information

You can park in the village of Coo, a few minutes' walk from the waterfalls. In summer it gets busy, especially at weekends. Arrive early, before 9 o'clock, or come during the week. No permit is required for photography as a visitor. The area around the waterfalls is publicly accessible. Watch out for slippery rocks near the water, especially after rain.

Sources and further reading

• Toerisme Ardennen (VisitWallonia)
• Gemeente Stavelot
• Wikipedia: Coo (waterval)