The Olef

South of Kalterherberg, on the Belgian side, is the military camp of Elsenborn. Parts of the exercise grounds can be traversed most of the days, except when there are practices going on.

AS we heard no noises, we assumed hat it would be sage to go, but the warning signs were up at the way point Krummer Ast (a red drum on top of a pole). So we had to slightly change plans, but still managed what we had set out minds on: to explore the upper Olef valley, go to Hellenthal, and return via the Olef dam.

It is a long ride, much of it on good forest roads, but there are some more difficult stretches that add that little spice to make the excursion truly memorable.

Our trip has the shape of a figure eight. Leave Kalterherberg via Gut Heistert, to the 'big star' (a 5-way crossing), and follow our GPS through pleasant Belgian country side. JUst shy of the Weiße Stein, turn left, with some heave down and up, to reach the bridge across the young Olef stream. (If you use the the open street map, you will see two shortcuts: one from way point Roppenvenn to Obere Olefbrücke (asphalt); and one a bit further on, a very straight line. We didn't take any of them, and did not regret it!

Make your way up to the Hollerather Knee (basically a parking ground vor vehicles, during the Daffodil season). Following the turn at Eschsiefen, you will follow an abandonned forest road; very pretty and remote, but be prepared for riding through high gras, fallen twigs and branches, and other interesting stuff - for quite a while.

At the junction with the main Bundesstraße (at way point Platishof), make sure you follow the bicycle track past the youth hostel (and not along the Bundesstraße). If you are lucke, the cafe Dressel in Hellenthal might be open. If not, we suggest you take you packed lunch onward to the Olef Dam - where the views are nice and the air is fresh.

A leisurely ride along the Olef lake follows. Be sure to follow our GPS tracks: Beyond the lake is an inconspicuous turn off - take it. After a rickety little bridge (way point Wiesbach crossing), follow the left branch. It is a long, stead, but pleasant climb up to the Wahlerscheidt-Rocherath-Plateau.

Close to the military grounds, the signsposts seem to indicate that one could safely pass, so we did follow our originally planned route. Alas, approaching Kalterherberg, the road of the military camp was closed, and we hat to take the hiker's path below the Bieley (a rocky outcrop in the Daffodil Valley).

What a pleasant surprise! It is indeed a hikers' trail, and you may or may not push the bike for a few meters, but in the evening it makes for a great experience. You pass the memorial of Jajesnica, who hit a mine while travelling with his horse-cart, and you will wonder why on earth somebody thought it a good idea to plant a mine.

With a little more single trail riding, you will return to Gut Heistert and Kalterherberg.