Attractions and Places To See around Kelmis - Top 20

Kelmis offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor opportunities. You can explore the Vaalserberg Three-Country Point, which is the highest elevation on the mainland of the Low Countries and offers panoramic views. The Casino pond and Altenberg conservation area, relics of 19th-century ore mining, are popular excursion destinations, especially from May to September when calamine flora blooms. For more active pursuits, the Rocher du Casino provides a small climbing area with 33 routes, and the nearby High Fens-Eifel Nature Park offers extensive hiking trails.

Yes, Kelmis is rich in history. The Vieille-Montagne Museum documents the history of zinc ore mining and the unique past of Neutral Moresnet. You can also visit the St. Rochus Chapel, first mentioned in 1646, or see the protected Pennings houses. The region also features numerous boundary stones in the Preuswald, including 14th-century 'Eagle stones' that marked the former Aachener Reich.

The Vennbahn Cycle Path is a prominent long-distance route that follows a former railway line, crossing borders multiple times and integrating relics of the old railway. It's well-developed and paved, suitable for cyclists and even skaters. For more specific cycling adventures, you can find various road cycling routes around Kelmis, such as the 'Gileppe Hill – Route de Borgoumont Climb loop from Hergenrath' or 'Vennkreuz Speed Section – Eupen Reservoir (Wesertalsperre) loop from Hergenrath'. Discover more options on the Road Cycling Routes around Kelmis guide.

Absolutely. The Vaalserberg Three-Country Point is a great family destination, featuring a viewing tower, a labyrinth, and restaurants. The Epen Fulling Mill, a renovated historical waterwheel mill, is also open to the public on specific days with explanations from volunteers, offering an educational experience. Additionally, the region near the Three-Country Point boasts playgrounds, an indoor swimming pool, an educational farm, and a giant maze.

For breathtaking vistas, head to the Vaalserberg Three-Country Point, which offers panoramic views from its observation tower. The Baudouin Tower on the Belgian side provides even higher views from its 50-meter-high glass elevator. Additionally, the Kelmis Panorama Board, situated in an elevated position, offers beautiful views of the village and its surroundings, complete with an aerial photograph to help identify landmarks.

You can explore the region's past through dedicated trails. The Industrial Educational Trail is a 7.5-kilometer walk that highlights locations important to calamine mining, featuring information columns about the village's industrial history. There's also a History Trail that winds through the former mining village, illustrating its evolution through the ages.

The area around Kelmis offers diverse hiking experiences. You can find mountain hikes, such as the 'Göhl Tunnel – Vaalserberg Three-Country Point loop from Plombières' or 'The Geul River and Surroundings – View of Vijlen loop from Epen'. The High Fens-Eifel Nature Park also provides numerous trails with scenic views of rolling hills and dense forests. For more detailed hiking options, refer to the Mountain Hikes around Kelmis guide.

Yes, the St. Lambertus Church stands as a beautiful example of Gothic-style architecture in Kelmis. Nearby, in Hergenrath, you can find Eyneburg castle, a notable historical site that adds to the region's architectural heritage.

The Rollefbach Viaduct is a preserved historical railway bridge, 128 meters long and 24 meters high, that offers a great view of the valley. It's part of the Vennbahnweg, though you'll need to plan a short detour from the main cycle path to fully appreciate its scale and take photos. Another impressive structure is the Vennbahn Viaduct at Kornelimünster, which also spans the Rollefbach valley and is a relic of the former railway line.

Visitors frequently appreciate the blend of history and nature. The unique historical context of Neutral Moresnet and the zinc mining heritage, combined with scenic landscapes and well-maintained trails like the Vennbahn Cycle Path, are often highlighted. The community has shared over 500 photos and given more than 3600 upvotes to the attractions, indicating a high level of satisfaction with the diverse offerings, from historical landmarks to outdoor adventures.

Kelmis is known for its vibrant Carnival celebrations, particularly on 'Rosenmontag' (the Monday before Lent). This event draws thousands of tourists for its lively procession, showcasing a significant cultural tradition of the region.

Yes, there are several gravel biking routes available. You can explore challenging options like the 'Cyclops Stones – View of the Wehebach Reservoir loop from Hergenrath' or the 'Kall Reservoir – View of the Dreilägerbach Dam loop from Hergenrath'. These routes offer a different way to experience the varied terrain around Kelmis. More details can be found in the Gravel biking around Kelmis guide.