Ovelo - The High Fens in the Eastern Hertogenwald

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Ovelo - The High Fens in the Eastern Hertogenwald

Walking · Open

Photo: vennbahn reichensteiner viadukt 01 c vennbahn.eu , CC BY ,East Belgium Tourist Agency NPO

Photo: high fens 37551049 , CC BY ,East Belgium Tourist Agency NPO

Photo: high fens 42485173 , CC BY ,East Belgium Tourist Agency NPO

Photo: high fens 42485310 , CC BY ,East Belgium Tourist Agency NPO

Photo: ostbelgien.eu , CC BY ,East Belgium Tourist Agency NPO

Photo: Christian Charlier , CC BY ,East Belgium Tourist Agency NPO

Photo: D. Ketz , CC BY ,East Belgium Tourist Agency NPO

Photo: Dominik Ketz , CC BY ,East Belgium Tourist Agency NPO

Photo: monschau 37551050 , CC BY ,East Belgium Tourist Agency NPO

Photo: Dominik Ketz , CC BY ,East Belgium Tourist Agency NPO

Photo: monschau 37551051 , CC BY ,East Belgium Tourist Agency NPO

Photo: leykaul 37551052 , CC BY ,East Belgium Tourist Agency NPO

Photo: Dominik Ketz , CC BY ,East Belgium Tourist Agency NPO

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 Sankt 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.

Info: A small forest museum has been set up behind the brasserie at the visitors’ centre “Haus Ternell”.

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

Difficulty Medium
Physical condition
Experience
Landscape
Highest point 655 m
Lowest point 478 m
Best period for this activity

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - 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

DD 50.521231,6.206589

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

www.belgiantrain.be

www.letec.be

Please use Google Maps.

To park

Free parking at "Railbike", Am Breitenbach 35, 4750 Leykaul

Go by train, car or by bike

Follow the guide!

Author's recommendations

Map recommended by the author

www.ostbelgien.eu/shop

Difficulty level

Difficulty Medium
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
DepartmentWaimes

Ovelo - The High Fens in the Eastern Hertogenwald

Ovelo - The High Fens in the Eastern Hertogenwald

In the area

Ovelo - The High Fens between the Rur and Warche

Ovelo – From the Weser dam to the Vennbahn

Vennbahn Stage 3 - Monschau-Waimes

Interactive map

In the area

Ovelo - The High Fens between the Rur and Warche

Ovelo – From the Weser dam to the Vennbahn

Vennbahn Stage 3 - Monschau-Waimes