Description
On the Vennquerbahn, a branch of the Vennbahn, follow the south shore of the Bütgenbach reservoir. The Vennbahn itself leads to higher pastures north of the lake.
Between 1930 and 1932, the Italian engineer Boldo had a 23 m high dam built in the Warche valley to generate electricity via a turbine producing 2 million kWh annually. Since the 120 ha large lake is not used for drinking water, all water sports are possible. Here you can swim, sail, and pedal boat to your heart’s content in summer. The route starts on the RAVeL L45a. Between trees and bushes, you can guess the lake. Behind the lake, at the height of the railway viaduct spanning the Warche valley, the landscape opens up.
After a few kilometers, the Vennquerbahn merges with the Vennbahn, which you follow for about 5 km along the municipal border of Weywertz. Passing cows and meadows and so few houses they can be counted on two hands, after 13 km you reach a village called Berg. Here, the view of the lake opens up now and then. At the eastern end of the reservoir lies Wirtzfeld. You leave the village center on your left. One last hill and you cross the Holzwarche and the Warche, both supplying the reservoir with water.
Tip: If you cycle at Kn 17 towards Kn 93, you will see the dam of the Bütgenbacher lake after 400 m. You can walk across the 140-meter-long wall to the other side.
Follow the cycling junctions: 18 > 17 > 16 > 15 > 14 > 46 > 45 > 44 > 87 > 93 > 99 > 19 > 18
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
630 m
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Lowest point
524 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
It is a safe route with hardly any traffic, as you only pass through one village center (Berg).
Recommended equipment
Bring drinks, as you won't pass any café unless you cycle on Kn 93 or Kn 17 or Kn 99 towards Wirtzfeld.
Information and additional links
Tourism Agency East Belgium VoG
Hauptstraße 54
4780 Sankt Vith
+32 80 22 76 64
[email protected]
www.ostbelgien.eu
BE 0715 454 578 - RJP/RPM Eupen
Contact details
Departure
Bütgenbach, at the old station at the end of Seestraße
Arrival
Bütgenbach, at the old station at the end of Seestraße
Itinerary
Follow the cycling junctions: 18 > 17 > 16 > 15 > 14 > 46 > 45 > 44 > 87 > 93 > 99 > 19 > 18
Difficulty level
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Difficulty Medium
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Distance
33.4 km
- Duration
2.23 h.
- Positive altitude difference
276 m
- Positive altitude difference
276 m
Circular walks
Viewpoint(s)
Catering points
Difficulty level
- CountryBelgium
- RegionRégion Wallonne
- ProvinceVerviers
- DepartmentBüllingen
