Route 2: Neutral-Moresnet – GrenzRouten Aachen

Did you know that the border triangle near Aachen was once a four-border triangle? This strange story has to do with natural resources, political intrigue and the defeat of Napoleon. From 1816 to 1919 the territory of Neutral Moresnet existed. On this hike you will follow in the footsteps of this political artifact and discover not only the remains of the formerly flourishing zinc mining industry, but also religious sites and lots of natural beauty. So-called calamine violets, among other things, bloom on the zinc-rich soils.

This tour starts in Kelmis on the corner of Altenburger Straße and Emmaburgerweg, as both Belgian and German buses conveniently stop here. Of course, you can start the route wherever suits you best. For example, the Dreiländereck or Preuswald can be easily reached from Aachen. While in the northern part of the tour you mostly hike through dense forest, in the southern part you can expect open distances and picturesque towns embedded in rolling hills. Overall, like all border routes and the border area in general, this tour is extremely varied.

Between Kelmis and Moresnet you follow the Göhl and discover on its banks the remains of the mining industry that had such a strong influence on this area. The famous railway viaduct is visible from many places in the region and spans the valley near the village of Moresnet. On this tour you get very close to this impressive building, you even walk directly underneath it. In the town itself you sometimes see white flags that are intended to remind you of the former neutral territory. A long climb now takes you to the Vaalserberg, roughly following the former border. From up here there are fantastic views towards Moresnet and Belgium. We then return to Kelmis via Preuswald and Hergenrath.