Description
Over 130 km in length, this walk goes right through the middle of some magnificent woodland and meadow landscapes from the north to the south of Eastbelgium. On the walk, you experience the diversity of landscapes in the region: the Hertogenwald, the High Fens, the reservoir landscape at Bütgenbach and Robertville, the Our valley. What is original about this walk is that it is designed by themes. The focus is on cultural highlights, the discovery of different regions and the rich history that goes with them. Each individual day of this walk thus has a really special character all its own!
Included in the price
- 6 overnight stays with breakfast in 6 hotels
- 6 evening meals
- 6 packed lunches
- hiking maps + descriptions of the route
- baggage transport
- return by taxi to the starting point
- documentation
Day 1: Eupen – Robertville (27 km)
In Eupen this fascinating tour lasting several days starts by going through the moor of the High Fens. Right behind the old industrial buildings (Hütte/Wetzlar) of this former clothworking town, the GR 573 runs along the Hill into the large state forest of Hertogenwald. The path winds its way up through the very varied river valley to the Naturparkzentrum Ternell, some 640m above sea level. On the way, big blocks of stone and breathtakingly beautiful vegetation adorn the steep sides of the valley. On the plateau of the High Fens you follow a wide forest trail. On the way, an old stone cross commemorates a tragic event that occurred in 1839. Via lanes cut between the trees, you reach the headwaters of the Rur and finally the Naturparkzentrum Botrange. The 'final lap' of this first crossing of the Venn runs via a hiking trail to the destination in Robertville.
Day 2: Robertville – Büllingen (26 km)
With one of its backwaters, the reservoir has its northern boundary very close to the place it got its name from, the town of Robertville. The walk goes along the southern shore of the lake, which wends its way through the valley. This mixture of being very close to the water while experiencing quaint trails and tranquil spaces is very delightful. Of course, that does make it rather tempting to sit down here and take a rest there, but taking one's leave of this charming lake is made a little bit easier by the knowledge that there's another reservoir in Bütgenbach to gladden the hearts of all those hikers who love water. To get there, just follow the easy paths along the unspoilt Warche. By contrast, good footwear is called for on the section from Plattenberg to Weywertz, because there's coarse gravel to be tackled there. On the dam wall of the lake at Bütgenbacher, in the valley of the Warche, the reservoir lies at your feet in the truest sense of the word, over the whole of its length. Don't hikers often wish for beautiful trails that run right close to the water? Well, nothing could be easier than that! In between, there's a conservation area with flora of the kind that you seldom get the chance to admire. At the end of the reservoir, the Warche then wends its way through the meadows to Büllingen.
Day 3: Büllingen – Schönberg (26 km)
Between Büllingen and the hamlet of Buchholz, the hiking trail GR 56 is guided not only by the natural course of the Warche, but also by a former railway line, the Vennbahn. In some sections the route runs parallel to the Vennbahn or right on it. But what is it that makes walking on such tracks so special – not only for railway-lovers? Is it the fact that these lines are silent witnesses of a turbulent past? Or is it the astonishing rapidity with which nature reclaims territory thought to have been lost? Whatever it is, these railway lines seem to have something mysterious about them. Our imagination can invent stories – and indeed, on the subsequent walk through remote valleys and silent woodland that does become a real – and thoroughly agreeable – possibility.
Day 4: Schönberg – Burg-Reuland (20 km)
"Do you actually realise what a paradise you live in?" That is how the Belgian King Balduin I expressed his enthusiasm for the charming landscape of the Our valley when he visited Schönberg. That was in 1967. And as far as that landscape is concerned, nothing whatsoever has changed. But perhaps the king's statement has even more significance today than it did then! In the naturalness of this landscape, both mind and spirit can find peace. In the villages along the route, there are little chapels and historical edifices to be seen again and again. Whatever happens, sufficient time should be scheduled for a visit to the castle ruins, which date from the 12th century. Every year, a castle festival is held here on the second weekend in July, attracting numerous visitors.
Burg-Reuland – St. Vith (15 km)
When this walk begins, it's the views that make a strong impression. You become aware of the sparse settlement of the region, but also of the many natural habitats that offer animals and plants a safe retreat. For the hiker seeking recreation, of course, these are perfect conditions for undisturbed landscape experiences. While you're going along, always remember to keep your eyes peeled, because sometimes it's the little things to the left and right of the trail that you remember the longest. The churches, chapels, shrines and statues of the Virgin Mary at the side of the route endow this stage with a spiritual character and thus invite visitors to set out on a pilgrimage.
