Eyneburg Castle: The only surviving hilltop castle in the Eupen region was originally the seat of the “Van Eyneberg” knightly family. It is also popularly known as “Emma Castle,” as legend has it that Emma, a daughter of Charlemagne, met her lover Einhard here. The individual parts of the complex date from very different eras: The keep was built in the 14th century, and the castle’s core between the 15th and 17th centuries. The complex took on its current form at the end of the 19th century. In recent years Eyneburg Castle has established itself as a venue for medieval festivals. Since 2024 the castle complex has been undergoing restoration and is set to be reopened to the public.
Kelmis, Casinoweiher Reservoir: The route offers a beautiful view of Kelmis, with the Casinoweiher reservoir in the foreground. The reservoir was constructed to wash mined ore. The area around the reservoir and the former tailings pile is characterized by unique vegetation and is now under strict nature conservation. Extremely rare calamine flora grows on the heavy-metal-contaminated soils.
St. Rochus Chapel: At the confluence of the Lontzener and Grünstrasser streams stands a small chapel whose origins date back to the 16th century, dedicated to Saint Rochus, the patron saint of plague victims. In the 17th century, at the behest of King Philip of Spain, communal land was sold to fund the appointment of a vicar. He held daily services either in the chapel or on the mine grounds. The 400-year-old linden tree by the chapel is said to protect people as the “Tree of Life.”
Göhl Valley: Between Kelmis and Moresnet the hiking trail follows the course of the Göhl river. This small river originates in the Belgian forest between Köpfchen and Lichtenbusch and flows into the Meuse after 53 kilometers.
Moresnet: Spanned by the massive Göhltal Viaduct, Moresnet is a charming village whose architecture is dominated by traditional fieldstone houses. The village, with St. Remigius Church at its center, was first mentioned in writing as early as 888. In earlier centuries Moresnet was home to at least three manor houses: Schimper Castle, Alensberg Castle, and Bempt Castle. They date back to a time when knightly families ruled over their own small fiefdoms. Bempt Castle is the only surviving building from that era.
Pilgrimage Trail: This pilgrimage route from Aachen-Preuswald to Moresnet has been widely traveled since 1863. According to tradition, a farm boy was cured of epilepsy here by venerating a statue of the Virgin Mary. Passing by many wayside crosses, the route leads to the pilgrimage church, Moresnet Chapelle. Every Wednesday pilgrims walk this route, which is also part of the European Network of St. James to Santiago de Compostela.
Neutral-Moresnet Border Stones: About 400 meters past the railroad crossing you reach the former border of Neutral-Moresnet. Hidden among the bushes on both sides of the Procession Path are the area’s former boundary stones XVII and XVIII. Additional stones can be found along the path all the way to the Three-Country Point, where the route follows the historic border.
Three-Country Point: Because the borders of three countries meet here, this location has become a tourist attraction, drawing more than 800,000 visitors from around the world each year. The Vaalserberg, where it is situated, is the highest point in the Netherlands, at 322.5 meters above sea level.
Today the Three-Country Point also symbolizes the connections between the residents of the tri-border region and European integration.
Royal Forest: In 1611 part of the forest area was placed under the direct jurisdiction of the Dukes of Burgundy and marked with elaborate boundary stones.
Defense Trench: After walking a short distance along the Moresnet Pilgrimage Trail you cross the border into Germany, where you’ll once again encounter the Aachen Landwehr in all its splendor, complete with a rampart, an eagle stone, and century-old border beech trees. An information board explains the background.
Kelmis: The town was first mentioned in writing in 1280, at that time under the name “Kelms.” The name derives from the Latin term “calamine,” referring to the zinc ore galmei, which is found here in large quantities. Thanks to its mineral resources, the town developed into the center of Belgian zinc mining in the 19th century. With a population of approximately 11,000, Kelmis is now the second-largest municipality in the German-speaking region of Belgium, after Eupen. The Vieille Montagne Museum, located about five minutes from the Casinoweiher Reservoir, offers further information on local history and the history of Neutral-Moresnet.
