Reichenstein has been known for over a thousand years for its Benedictine monastery, which stood on this site for eight centuries before being abandoned and converted into a farm for the last two centuries. A project to convert it back into a Benedictine monastery is currently being carried out by a congregation of Benedictines from Auvergne.
At the end of the Second World War, the borders in this region were redrawn, partially assigning the route of the Vennbahn, the old railway line connecting Aachen to Sankt Vith, to Belgium, enclosing it within Germany with the strange result that the German hamlet of Ruitzhof became enclosed within Belgium!
Circular forest in Reichenstein
A forest walk that crosses the border (a little) into Belgium and (a lot) into Germany. Starting from the Reichenstein stop on the Vennbahn, the hike begins in the direction of Kreuz im Venn and its cave before crossing Ruitzhof, a German hamlet enclaved in Belgium, and then reaching the pretty Rur valley.
Different atmospheres guaranteed depending on the season.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 11.69 km -
Average duration: 4h 05 -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 258 m -
Descent: - 259 m -
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Highest point: 599 m -
Lowest point: 423 m
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Country:
Belgium
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Start/End: N 50.537596° / E 6.198125° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 511 m - Reichenstein stop
- 1 : km 0.85 - alt. 577 m - Kreuz im Venn on the Richelsley rock
- 2 : km 2.62 - alt. 553 m - Ruitzhof
- 3 : km 3.52 - alt. 502 m - The Rur: shortly after entering Germany
- 4 : km 7.89 - alt. 423 m - The Rur: the water level has already risen considerably
- 5 : km 11.35 - alt. 500 m - Reichenstein Convent
- S/E : km 11.69 - alt. 511 m - Reichenstein stop
Notes
If the car park at the starting point is full, you can park your vehicle either in the driveway leading to the convent or in the car park 500 m further along the L106 (towards Kalterherberg).
Worth a visit
Nearby:
- the pretty little town of Monschau (to the north-east, in Germany)
- the Hautes-Fagnes plateau (to the west, in Belgium)
Other walks in the area
Circular from Reichenstein to the Schwarzbach pond via Kreuz im Venn
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13.26 km
+236 m
-240 m
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This cross-border walk on the border between the Hautes Fagnes and Germany between Montjoie (Monschau) and Sourbrodt (Waimes) starts on the RAVeL (Belgian enclave of the Vennbahn) at the former Reichenstein stop near the Reichenstein Convent (Kloster) on the road between Mützenich and Kalterherberg.Discover this pure joy away from the tourist crowds in the Hautes Fagnes.
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+154 m
-154 m
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This hike will delight lovers of the Hautes-Fagnes and wetlands. The highlights include the boardwalks in the southern part of Brackvenn, the trail in the Spohrbach valley, the confluence of the Spohrbach and the Helle (Hill in German) and the border marker trail (at the end of the route).
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+33 m
-30 m
2h 10
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Do you like moorland landscapes? Are you fond of boardwalks? Then you should enjoy this walk! This walk takes you to the Brackvenn moor, near the German border. The walk takes place in the forest, in the moors, along stretches of water... The landscapes are varied and truly delightful.
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+252 m
-254 m
6h 00
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This hike takes you to the heart of a demanding and authentic natural environment, where water shapes the landscape and the wind preserves the memory of places. Former military camps, Germanic-influenced place names and rugged terrain tell a story marked by borders and time.Peat bogs formed after the last ice age, acidic soils and schistose rocks make up the typical landscape of the Hautes Fagnes. Clear streams, dark rivers laden with peat and cold springs accompany the walk.Deep forests, open moors and clearings follow one another, sheltering discreet fauna and specialised flora. A hike that is both wild and soothing, ideal for celebrating a special moment in an unspoilt landscape.
Sourbrodt (Waimes) – The Happy People’s Walk
Visorando member 
3.95 km
+18 m
-13 m
1h 10
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Departure from Waimes (Province de Liège)
A very pleasant, signposted walk starting from the Eau Noire car park. The route is entirely flat and presents no difficulty in the Hautes Fagnes, with part of it on boardwalks.The only downside: depending on the wind direction, you can hear the Spa-Francorchamps route in the distance if it is in operation, as is the case with all walks in the region.
From Ternell to the Walloon Fagne – La Helle
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22.64 km
+392 m
-395 m
7h 35
Difficult
Departure from Eupen (Province de Liège)
Discover one of Belgium’s wildest rivers, the Helle (Hill in German), starting from the old forest house at Ternell, and the Hautes-Fagnes where it rises. A long nature walk over varied terrain: forest paths (deciduous and spruce), dry and wet grassy paths and tracks, boardwalks (over very marshy ground), stony paths, tarmac paths.
Between forests and steppe landscapes in Ternell
Visorando member 
19.22 km
+295 m
-295 m
6h 20
Moderate
Departure from Eupen (Province de Liège)
For those who like to cover a lot of ground, there are various forests (coniferous and deciduous) to explore, as well as the boardwalks and peat bogs of the Hautes Fagnes.
Heading for the Signal de Botrange
Visorando member 5.28 km
+52 m
-51 m
1h 40
Easy
Departure from Waimes (Province de Liège)
Virtual treasure hunt with the TOTEMUS app in search of the highest point in Belgium: Head for the highest point in Belgium
Easy route leading from the Park House to the Signal de Botrange and back to the Park House.
After all that effort, what could be better than enjoying a drink or treating yourself to a light meal?
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