Pleasure tour 12: "The great Vennrunde" Mont Rigi - hiking in East Belgium

Hiking trails & Routes

Pleasure tour 12: "The great Vennrunde" Mont Rigi - hiking in East Belgium

Moderate

4.6

(1674)

7,021

hikers

Pleasure tour 12: "The great Vennrunde" Mont Rigi - hiking in East Belgium

02:18

8.69km

80m

Hiking

Welcome to the roof of Belgium. The Signal de Botrange is officially the highest point in the country. A huge high moor stretches around the summit with the High Fens, which is perfect for exciting hikes. After just a few meters you will reach a viewing platform from which you can enjoy a fantastic view of the heath and moorland.

Special landscapes require special measures: As early as the Middle Ages, efforts were being made to find passable routes across the moor, which represented a dangerous and almost insurmountable obstacle for travellers. At that time the idea of building wooden walkways on posts was conceived. Such paths are still used today in order to be able to enter the moor safely and in a way that protects nature. They lead you dry-shod over the moor and ensure that you can fully enjoy the surrounding landscape.

The turning point is at the Baraque Michel, an old inn that for many years has offered shelter and guidance to brave travelers in the barren terrain. Here you can also stop off excellently. The hospitable landlord seems to speak all languages and will happily serve you an invigorating meal. The way back to the Signal de Botrange is again characterized by the Venn with its rich microcosm of rare plant species.

by Ostbelgien

Last updated: June 12, 2024

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

354 m

View of the High Fens from the Signal de Botrange

Highlight • Viewpoint

As part of a hike, you should also visit this viewing platform. A wonderful view opens up beyond the Walloon Fens, including in the direction of Kalterherberg. When the weather is clear, you can even see the steeples of the village church in Kalterherberg.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4.52 km

Baraque Michel

Highlight • Mountain Hut

Baraque Michel (the German name Michelshütte is no longer common today) is an inn (674 meters) belonging to Jalhay in Belgium, located in the High Fens, which was founded in 1811/1812 by Michel Henri Schmitz, a stonemason from the Rhineland. In 1812, a Michel Schmitz built a hut here. According to legend, he was fulfilling a promise after getting lost in the Fens and vowing to build a hut if he was rescued. After his death in 1819, his family expanded it into an inn for travelers. Every evening, they rang a bell to guide lost people. It can still be seen today on the long side of the building.

Showing Translation

Tip by

8.63 km

Baltia Hill – Highest Point of Belgium

Highlight • Summit

Built in 1923, this hill marks the highest point in Belgium (Botrange signal - 694 meters). At six meters high, it also allows visitors to reach the symbolic altitude of 700 meters.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.69 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.05 km

3.38 km

230 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

4.84 km

2.26 km

1.25 km

209 m

103 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (690 m)

Lowest point (630 m)

Weather

Friday 9 October

12°C

6°C

49 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 24.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

July 2, 2026,Genusstour 12: „Die große Vennrunde“ Mont Rigi – Wandern in Ostbelgien

Got wet in the drizzle through the moor 😋

Showing Translation

November 2, 2024,Die große Vennrunde 02.11.2024

This time the whole group was in the Venn. It was quite interesting, but in the long run the walking on the wooden walkways is boring.
The view over the huge area of the Venn was impressive, though.

Showing Translation

July 2, 2023,🇧🇪BEL - À travers les Fagnes

An all time classic at any season of the year. The high Venn is a place to disconnect and enjoy tranquility in pure nature. A place which is quite unique from its topography in Europe.

October 16, 2025,Die große Vennrunde von Botrange

The tour started out very well, with beautiful views of the High Fens, but then it took me too much time through the forest and overgrown paths, and I no longer had a view of the High Fens. There are more beautiful paths.

Showing Translation

September 11, 2025,Die große Vennrunde von Baraque Michel

Cool and sunny, Baraque Michel is permanently closed

Showing Translation

July 19, 2025,Photohike Mont Rigi 🇧🇪 • Hohes Venn • Sommer • Morgenrot

📖 More about the tour in the blog:
photohikers.de/post/photohike-mont-rigi-stege-ins-hohe-venn

Showing Translation

September 20, 2023,Die große Vennrunde Genusstour 12 🇧🇪 Ostbelgien 🔁 Rundtour ✅️geologische Highlights 🍀Flora 🦗Fauna und 👨‍👩‍👧Familienfreundlich 🚫Hunde

It's a shame that the weather changed again this morning and we were missing the sun, then the round would have been so nice again. But we still really enjoyed it.

Starting from the Signal de Botrange, we hiked to the viewing platform of the Walloon Fens, from where you can enjoy an incredible panoramic view of the heath and …

Showing Translation

April 21, 2025,🇧🇪„Die große Vennrunde“ Mont Rigi – Wandern in Ostbelgien

A nice final walk before heading home. Not too many footbridges through the Fens, but you're still alone early in the morning and hardly meet anyone else.

Showing Translation

May 13, 2022

Welcome to the roof of Belgium. The Signal de Botrange is officially the highest point in the country. A huge high moor stretches around the summit with the High Fens, which is perfect for exciting hikes. After just a few meters you will reach a viewing platform from which you can enjoy a fantastic view

Translated by Google •