Ovelo - The High Fens in the eastern part of the Hertogenwald
The Ovelo-Tours are selected cycling tours that lead through the most beautiful sections of the landscape and over the Vennbahn. Our free brochure contains 8 suggested tours with maps, descriptions and practical information.
Almost 40% of the route follows the Vennbahn itself, affording an unexpected panoramic view of the valley across the German Eifel-Ardennes region. You cycle through dense forests and along the untouched peatland of the High Fens.
moderate
34.8 km
2:32 h
276 m
288 m
The first 12-km stretch along the Vennbahn takes you through German territory. Astonishingly, the 10m wide strip of railway line is Belgian territory, since Germany was made to surrender the cantons of Eupen, Malmedy and St. Vith, including the Vennbahn, to Belgium as a consequence of World War One. Boundary stones still lying alongside the former railway line testify to that. You will not come across any further villages and houses after “Entenpfuhl”. The High Fens are the dominant feature over the next 7 km, or more precisely the areas of the General and Imgenbroich Fens. This conservation area was recently returned to its original state as a result of the “Life” project. Left to their own devices, moors naturally develop into woodland. This peatland was renaturalised by felling the exotic grey alder in vast numbers. The Getzbach has its source here at a height of 600 metres. Several kilometres further on it flows into the Weser reservoir. The only sign of human life in the gigantic Osthertogenwald is the Haus Ternell nature centre, where you can relax over a drink or a snack. The remaining 13 km of the route will take you between tall trees and alongside burbling wild creeks.
Author’s recommendation
A small forest museum has been set up behind the brasserie at the visitors’ centre “Haus Ternell”.
Author
Tourismusagentur Ostbelgien
Updated: November 26, 2019
Difficulty
moderate
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
655 m
Lowest point
478 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Safety information
Ride carefully on public roads.
Tips, hints and links
Ternell: Brasserie-Restaurant Haus Ternell, Ternell 2-3, Eupen, T +32 87 300 048
Konzen (D): Atschi's Imbiss (bei Kn 24)
Küchelscheid: Waffle Time, Railbike, Am Breitenbach 35, T +32 80 685 890.
East Belgium Tourism Agency
Hauptstraße 54
4780 St.Vith
Tel. +32 80 22 76 64
www.ostbelgien.eu
info@ostbelgien.eu
Start
Küchelscheid, Am Breitenbach 35, next to node 38 (505 m)