Hike with 1250 m ascent on both sides of the Warche valley 25 km

I did this hike to prepare my legs and knees for a strenuous climb in the Pyrenees I was planning, with more than 1250 meters ascent and descent (it helped…), and quite steep in places. Apart from ten ascents and descents, the hike also includes two river crossings in a ford (shallow place in the Warche river), the difficulty of which depends on the water level, and some paths which are a bit overgrown (long pants recommended in summer season). Also there is a section through a bike park, where you have to watch out for off-road bikes (although I did not see any on my trip). The trip also includes beautiful scenery such as the Trôs-Marèts canyon, forests, streams, pasture, a hermitage, a cavalry, the center of Malmedy, and the peculiar Bevercé pipeline and the pressure compensation tower at Chôdes, and much more. There is a free parking at the start, behind the Malmundarium. You can find something to eat and drink in Malmedy and at the Camping du Moulin at the Warche river.
From the start you take a path behind the Malmundarium and then climb a path up Livremont. Up in the forest I saw a roebuck. After going up you turn back down to Malmedy passing the Chapelle du Calvaire and going down along the Calvary. In Malmedy you walk past the cathedral and the Malmundarium to the Warche river, where the climb of Rue Outrelepont starts. This steep asphalt road (look back once and a while for a view towards the cathedral) ends after 600 meters and you continue climbing along an unpaved forest road until you get to the Monument Apollinaire. A bit further you reach the highest point at the edge of the village Bernister. You then descend back getting to a small asphalt road, and then descending further towards the Warche north of Malmedy. Here a gradual climb starts along a path that is a bit overgrown here and there. At the end of the path, a steep path takes you back up close to Bernister. You then walk along the edge of the forest and pasture towards Ermitage Saint Antoine. From here you walk towards the bike park, but you take a small path up before that (you might meet off-road bikes here as well although I did not see them). Up at the Route des Planerèsses you descend againg on a track which seems part of the bike park. Down at the drag lift you climb to Ferme Libert, and then a bit further. You then descend for a while to the Trôs-Marèts valley. Shortly after reaching this stream you pass through the ‘canyon’. You climb further above the valley floor before you go back down to the river and then climb away towards Mont. You then descend slowly through pasture and forest and then on a steep forest road back to the Trôs-Marèts river. You then follow the stream all the way down towards the Warche river. Here is the campsite with the restaurant. You cross the campsite to get to the Warche river bridge. Directly after, a steep but wide track takes you up before you go down on another wide forest track to the Warche. Here you have to cross the river on a ford. Watch out you do not slip on the slippery stones… Directly after you encounter the stone quarry Carrières de la Warche. After having had a look you climb again, along a stream and then on steep paths to the Chemin du Raideu near Xhoffraix. Again you descend, now on paths not well trodden. The last part before the Warche valley floor is quite steep with rough stones. Below you cross another ford on the Warche (again, can be slippery) and ascend to the village of G’Doumont with nice views near the village. From the village you take a minor road taking you to a large water pipeline. You almost go down to the valley floor and then climb steeply back to the Bevercé water pipeline. You follow the pipeline a bit. This pipeline ends up at the pressure compensation tower at Chôdes. The water comes from the Lac de Robertville, and drives a power station at Bevercé. You take paths around the tower before you take a look at the concrete tower. You then climb a bit further before you descend on forest tracks through Rond Thier to the cemetery of Malmedy. You follow the minor asphalt road past it back to the start.