Stage 30. Butgenbach (BE) to Hellental (DE)
Stage 30. Butgenbach (BE) to Hellental (DE)
Bütgenbach (Province Liège) is located in the German-speaking eastern part of Belgium and has more than 5,500 inhabitants. In 1795 Bütgenbach was annexed by the French and in 1815 it became Prussian. In 1920, Bütgenbach was given to Belgium in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles. In 1932 a dam was built in the river Warche and Lake Bütgenbach was created. In the winter of 1944, General Eisenhower was stationed here for a few days during the Battle of the Bulge.
Hellenthal has 8000 inhabitants and the mostsouthern municipalty of Nordrhein-Westfalen and consists of 60 villages. Hellenthal is located on the edge of the Eifel National Park and the Oleftalsperre is one of the largest reservoirs in Germany. The reservoir contains about twenty million cubic meters of water and is fed by the river Olef, a tributary of the Urft that flows through both Belgian and German territory. The dam protects the surrounding municipalities against high water and is used for drinking water extraction. The reservoir is completely surrounded by forests.
Overview map and stats:
| Start: | Butgenbach (BE) |
| Coordinates (DD): | 50.430058 / 6.209715 |
| End: | Hellental (DE) |
| Coordinates (DD): | 50.491701 / 6.434909 |
| Distance: | 24,3 kilometers |
| Ascent: | 363 meters |
| Descent: | 511 meters |
| Elevation map: |
| Path, dirt road, nature trail: | 60% |
| Asphalt, road: | 40% |
| Pdf route map: | Go for download to page here |
| Gpx track: | Go for download to page here |
| KML file: | Go for download to page here |
- Pdf files are excellent for viewing.
- Gpx tracks can be uploaded to many devices, so you always know the direction to follow or your position.
- KML files can be uploaded in Google Earth. As result you get a detailed satellite view. You can even follow a videotour, which is a linear walk-through the stage.
Some highlights:
Wirtzfeld has 400 inhabitants and is located on the stream Holzwarche a tributary of the river Warche and flows into Lake Bütgenbach.
Krinkelt-Rocherath is the a reference to two villages in Belgium that became the scene of some fierce fighting between American and German troops in the first days of the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, read more…
Specific info:
Sleep suggestions:
Interesting websites:
