Kalterherberg to Sourbrodt and the Kreuz im Venn

An easy tour with an E-MTB; also perfectly doable with a regular Mountainbike.

From Kalterherberg, roll down to the Kalterherberg Station. Take the RAVeL (Vennbahn) to Sourbrodt Station. The railtracks are running parallel to the tarred bicycle way. At one point, the bicycle trail leaves the railtracks, just to join them about a kilometer further up. This detour was made to protect breeding whinchats (Braunkehlchen) along the railtracks.

In Sourbrodt, follow the coordinates to the 'Russian Cross'. During WWII, Russian prisoners lived and worked at the site.

Continue into the Hohe Venn (Hautes Fagnes). Make sure to drive off the main trail to the Venn-Aussichtspunkt. From here, the view goes unobstructed across the moor to Signal de Botrange, the highest point in Belgium.

Follow the Hill Valley to a ford. Here turn right and up - easy for those with an e-bike, a little slow for those who rely on their muscle alone. Follow the coordinates, and do not go up to the top of the 'Pannesterz', but take a left turn in the direction of the Kreuz im Venn. The Cross sits on a rocky outcrop, which is called Richelsley. Below is a Statue of Mary, a place of worship for many local people. You can walk (or drive) around the Richelsley, and can climb to the top of the Richelsley, well secured by ladders.

You could go down from the Cross directly into the Rur valley - but the first few hundred meters would be for very experienced MTB riders only. So we return for a couple of hundred meters, and take an easier trail down. Some riders may still prefer to push their bike for a few meters, at the steepest inclines.

Soon you cross the RAVeL. You could follow the RAVeL back to the Kalterherberg station (if you started your trip there). If you came from the center of Kalterherberg, we recommend to follow the road to the Norbertus Chapel, and continue on forest roads along the Rur to Kalterherberg.