The municipality of Kelmis
Between mining history and picturesque walking trails
Kelmis has a rich history that reaches from the depths of the earth all the way to the rooftops of Paris. As far back as the Middle Ages, zinc minerals were mined at the Altenberg to produce brass. Thanks to its coveted natural resources, this small, contested territory became, for 103 years, a unique political and social experiment: Neutral Moresnet, the fourth forgotten country of the Euregion. How the mineral wealth beneath Kelmis ended up on the rooftops of Paris — along with other captivating stories of smuggling, mining and Napoleon's bathtub — can be discovered at the Museum Vieille Montagne.
There is much to explore in the countryside around Kelmis. In spring, wild daffodils bloom along the Göhl river and the Hohnbach valley, setting forests and meadows ablaze with yellow. The high zinc content of the soil has moreover given rise to a remarkable local flora — including the rare calamine violet, found here in Kelmis.
Our tip: follow the educational industrial trail and experience nature and history up close.
Kelmis is wonderfully varied and has something for the whole family: playgrounds, a swimming pool, walking and cycling routes, and much more. From here, you can easily reach multiple attractions: Aachen, Maastricht, Liège, and the famous meeting point of three countries — which was, in fact, once a four border point.
Excursion destinations
Accommodation & Restaurants
Pictures
FAQ
Kelmis is situated in the north of East Belgium, close to the German and Dutch borders. The municipality of Kelmis consists of three villages: Kelmis, Neu-Moresnet and Hergenrath.
Depending on the purpose of your visit, several free parking options are available in Kelmis:
- The parking at the Casinoweiher is ideal for walkers, who want to start out on a hike into the surrounding nature.
- In the centre, near the Park Hotel and opposite on the motorhome parking area is perfect to explore the municipality and enjoy its restaurants and shops.
- At the museum / Tourist Info on Lütticher Straße 278.
Please note that car parks in the village centre are in the so-called “blue zone” – please remember to use a parking disc.
Kelmis has cafés, snack bars, bakeries and restaurants of all kinds. For more information, please contact the Tourist Info.
The Tourist Info is located in the Museum Vieille Montagne, Lütticher Straße 278, and is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 1 pm and Saturday from 11.30 am to 5 pm. You will be warmly welcomed in German, French, Dutch and English and will find a wealth of information on offer. Website: www.tis-kelmis.be
The entire Museum Vieille Montagne as well as the Tourist Info are fully accessible. Streets and paths within the municipality are partially accessible – we are happy to advise you before your visit at the Tourist Info. The Ravel route from Neu-Moresnet and Vennbahn loop no. 12 from Hergenrath offer accessible options. Hergenrath station, with connections to Welkenraedt and Aachen Hauptbahnhof, provides an accessible entry point to the rail network.
The best options for reaching Kelmis by public transport are as follows:
- Take the train to Eupen and change onto bus 396 towards Vaals (via Kelmis).
- Take the train to Welkenraedt and change onto bus 710 or 711 towards Kelmis.
The villages of the municipality are served by bus routes, but the timetables may vary depending on the day of the week. If you are travelling by public transport, we recommend checking your connections on letec.be before setting off.
Please note that bicycles cannot be taken on buses.
Bus routes serving the municipality of Kelmis:
- 396: Eupen – Kelmis – Vaals
- 710: Eupen – Welkenraedt – Kelmis
- 711: Welkenraedt – Kelmis
- 713: Henri-Chapelle – Hombourg – Sippenaeken – Kelmis
- 715: Welkenraedt – Birken – Kelmis
- 717: Verviers – Henri-Chapelle – Welkenraedt / Kelmis
- 728: Hauset – Kelmis
From Vaals in the Netherlands, Kelmis can be reached via bus route 396. From Aachen in Germany, you can reach Kelmis via bus route 24, or by taking the train from Aachen Hauptbahnhof to Hergenrath and then connecting with bus 396.
Yes, in Kelmis directly next to the municipal hall, at the Galmeiplatz (at the motorhome parking area), and in Hergenrath at Aachener Straße, 2.
TEC tickets: via the TEC app, at ticket machines or sales points, or from the driver. SNCB tickets: via the app, at a ticket machine, or at the ticket office.
Several taxi companies operate in the area. Please follow this link for more information: https://fahrmit.be/mobilitaetsloesungen/auto/taxiunternehmen/
Tip: book your taxi in advance to ensure a driver is available.
- Pharmacies: https://www.hospital-eupen.be/Medizin-Pflege/Apothekenverzeichnis
For the out-of-hours pharmacy, please call 0900 10 500 (€0.50/min).
- GPs: https://www.hospital-eupen.be/Medizin-Pflege/Hausarzte-Kontaktdaten For the out-of-hours GP service at weekends and on public holidays, please call 1733 (local rate).
- Emergency number: 112
- Nearest A&E: St. Nikolaus Hospital Eupen
The municipality of Kelmis offers a wealth of things to discover for young and old alike! Here are 3 suggestions that might interest you: at the Museum Vieille Montagne, you can learn more about the region’s eventful past. The viewpoint indicator offers wide-reaching views across the surroundings. A visit to the three border point rounds off your stay – this is where Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands meet.
Kelmis offers you exciting routes with a historical dimension. Pleasure Tour 14 guides you through the typical landscape of the region. On the Kelmis history trail, you’ll learn more about the place’s unique past. The East Belgium castle route combines hiking with cultural highlights and impressive architecture. Moreover, the Venntrilogie also passes through the area, taking you on a journey through 3 different landscapes of the High Fens.
Around Kelmis, you’ll find varied routes for the sporty and active. The MTB tour Lontzen–Hauset–Walhorn takes you through gently rolling terrain, combining nature with a sporting challenge – ideal for those who enjoy being active.