Pleasure tour 16: "The peaks of the Warche" Xhoffraix - Hiking in East Belgium

https://www.ostbelgien.eu/de/fiche/hiking/genusstour-16-xhoffraix ♥️🐈 This pleasure tour on the above-mentioned portal is described as a "challenging hike for experienced hikers" and I can only agree. These 17 km are not easy to walk in terms of the condition of the path, because everything is small, narrow paths and mostly wet and slippery over sticks, stones and roots. This makes this round a very special round and we can only recommend the Warche valley. An additional difficulty, at least at the moment, is the constantly changing climatic conditions. On the hills it feels like 15 degrees in the sun and you take a step into the shade and the ground is frozen. In the valleys it is even below 0 degrees. There is a lot to see on this round and you can tell that from the highlights created. There are quite a few of them. One of the highlights mentioned is the Chateau Reinhardstein, which we were able to visit this year. The Warche valley, the quarry where the stones for the typical Belgian house facades are mined, the forest areas and the course of the Coreu stream. The constant "up and down" passages feel like a mountain tour and the pure nature on the paths reveals something new at every corner. A really beautiful tour that we would do again at any time. It can even be counted as one of the "dream paths" tours, we have rarely seen such beautiful paths. It is certainly even more beautiful in summer. Have a nice Friday everyone 🙋🏻‍♂️ Belgium Collection: https://www.komoot.com/de-de/collection/1342535/-belgien-wandern-in-den-belgischen-ardennen

Today we started from Xhoffraix on the tour, which in German is called “The Peaks of the Warche”. The first few meters go through the village, which, however, has beautiful architecture that is pleasing to the eye. Soon it goes down to the Warche, which you then follow upstream; very idyllic valley. Below Reinhardstein Castle you reach the waterfall, and then the climb follows to the castle, which is privately owned. You then follow the Warche again over the dam wall of the Robertville reservoir, but far above along steep slopes and on narrow paths. These also lead past Napleon's Nose, a rock from which you have a beautiful view of the Warchetal. The path leads up and down to Bévercé, more precisely to the Camping du Moulin there. Now we follow the Warche again, past a quarry and then we go along a stream back up to Xhoffraix. This was a really beautiful hike, great paths, very rich in water, streams often crossed the paths. But the round was varied and a lot of fun (okay, sometimes there could have been a little less mud on the paths 😉).

Dense forests (singletrack), root-rock paths, streams, vistas, Château Reinhardstein, Nez Napoleon, Cascade, Barrage de Robertville... in short, plenty to see and do😃 (even a dip in the La Warche). I followed the "green duck" with a few small homemade twists here and there. Enjoyed apple pie at Du Moulin.

Had to import the plan again because shortly before the end the Garmin stopped working :-)

Wanderlust in the Belgian Ardennes – 17.2 km full of natural wonders 🌿🇧🇪 The circular tour near Xhoffraix immerses you in a world of mossy forests, wild streams, and hidden vistas. Belgium reveals its wild, rugged, and yet magical side here. The Warche Valley immediately captivates us – deeply carved, shady, and vibrant. And then – in the middle of the forest, only accessible on foot – it suddenly rushes down before us: the Reinhardstein Waterfall. With a drop of around 60 meters, it is the highest waterfall in Belgium – a powerful, hidden place that suddenly reveals itself like a secret. 💦🍃 Later, we cross the viaduct at the Barrage de Robertville – a quiet highlight. The view over the narrow valley and the surrounding forests is simply magical. 🌉🌲 Shortly afterwards, the view of Reinhardstein Castle opens up between the rocks and treetops: mysterious, fortified, as if from another era. Built in the 14th century, the fortress has been painstakingly restored and sits hidden above the Warche Valley – a true gem of medieval architecture. 🏰✨ Once at the top, we are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the winding Warche Valley. The path winds its way along the ridges between rocky ridges, meadows, and rugged crests – sometimes exposed, sometimes enchantingly quiet. 🌄🌾 On the descent towards the du Moulin campsite, the landscape opens up – we hike through open pastures, follow a narrow trail alongside the clear Coreu stream, and once again immerse ourselves in the gentle green of the valley. 🌿🐑 At the campsite, we treat ourselves to a short break – with a snack and an ice-cold, non-alcoholic shandy. Just the thing to let the impressions of this day in the Belgian Ardennes sink in. 🍋🧃 ⸻ 🔍 Marking: Green rectangle + 🦆 🎒 Difficulty: Moderate to challenging – good footwear is a must!

My conclusion: A great tour on changing paths with a high proportion of paths and great views! 😃👍 In particular, the hike in the Warche valley is REALLY BEAUTIFUL! The pictures speak for themselves... 👌 Unfortunately, only in the southern section of the tour do you currently have to cross a few clear-cut areas, a rather sad sight. 😞 If you are hiking in this area, I definitely recommend a tour/detour to the Bayonne waterfall (Cascade du Bayhon) - GREAT!!! 👌💦👌You can find impressions from a previous hike here: https://www.komoot.de/tour/70774001 🐻****************************************🐻 👉 Tour template from: https://www.komoot.de/user/ostbelgien "Xhoffraix is one of the few villages on the edge of the High Fens where the climate is often harsh even in summer and the winters are cold and long. Hikers who long for peace and wonderful nature experiences benefit from this remote location. On this extended hike you will explore you the partly deep valley of the Warche as well as the surrounding hills and mountain ranges.Only the first two kilometers are relatively flat, after that it goes up and down constantly. You descend into the Warche valley and hike on natural paths past Reinhardstein Castle, which is well worth seeing, to the dam wall of Lake Robertville. There is a place to stop here if you haven't packed a picnic. It continues above the Warche valley with some impressive vantage points. At Bévercé you finally get back to the shore, then you first pass the campsite with a tavern and shortly afterwards the local quarry. Now one last steep climb awaits you before you reach your starting point in Xhoffraix again." Directions by car: "Jeunesse de Xhoffraix Asbl" car park, Rue de la Tournerie 10, 4960 Malmedy, Belgium 50°27'25.5"N 6°04'17.8"E

A really very nice hike starting from Xhoffraix marked with green rectangles (MDY 22). The height difference is not impressive but the hike is quite sporty. A succession of small ribs not always perceptible on the profile but they are there. You will mainly take narrow paths on the hillside winding between the different panoramas and viewpoints. There are many picnic possibilities, Xhoffraix tourisme has set up covered tables everywhere in addition to the already existing benches. The main curiosities: the Nez de Napoléon, the castle of Reinhardstein, the Robertville dam, inevitably the ridges and the Warche, which is very picturesque and wild in places. Warche's career is also quite impressive. To do for sure!

Quite sporty and superb hike at the end of the season ... 😉 The ridges and forests of La Warche are worth the detour! 👌 We therefore walk along the Warche, the Bayehon and the Robertville lake / dam ... A quick glance at the Warche quarry to finish along the Coreu stream and its ........ drop ! 😰 Rando of the "strolls of dreams" of the cantons of the east marked out duck / green rectangle. At 12.7km turn right! The detour to the chapel of Chôdes is not interesting ... 😏