Description
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.
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.
Follow the cycle route nodes: 38 > 27 > 25 > 24 > 51 > 52 > 53 > 54 > 84 > 85 > 63 > 72 > 38
Advice
A small forest museum has been set up behind the brasserie at the visitors’ centre “Haus Ternell”.
Details
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Difficulty Medium
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Physical condition
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Experience
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Landscape
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Highest point
655 m
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Lowest point
478 m
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Best period for this activity
January
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February
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March
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April
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May
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June
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July
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August
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September
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October
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November
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December
Safety instructions
Ride carefully on public roads.
Recommended equipment
- Helmet
- Sportswear
- Sturdy shoes
- Roadworthy bike
- Drinking bottle
- Sunglasses
- Rain protection
Information and additional links
East Belgium Tourist Agency npo
Hauptstraße 54
4780 Sankt Vith
+32 80 22 76 64
info@ostbelgien.eu
www.ostbelgien.eu
BE 0715 454 578 - RJP/RPM Eupen
Contact details
Departure
Küchelscheid, Am Breitenbach 35
Arrival
Küchelscheid, Am Breitenbach 35, next to node 38
Itinerary
Follow the cycle route nodes: 38 > 27 > 25 > 24 > 51 > 52 > 53 > 54 > 84 > 85 > 63 > 72 > 38
By public transport
<a href="http://www.belgiantrain.be">www.belgiantrain.be</a>
<p><a href="http://www.letec.be">www.letec.be</a> </p>
<p> </p>
To park
Free parking at "Railbike", Am Breitenbach 35, 4750 Leykaul
Difficulty level
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Difficulty Medium
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Distance
34.8 km
- Duration
2.32 h.
- Positive altitude difference
276 m
- Positive altitude difference
288 m
Circular walks
Difficulty level
- CountryBelgium
- RegionRégion Wallonne
- ProvinceVerviers
- DepartmentBütgenbach
