Walking in the East of Belgium in our vacation (part 2): Up and down around Reinhardstein castle in the Warche valley

 

I had enjoyed my solitary evening walk very much a few days before and when one of the next days, the boys decided to stay home and play there, I left again for another walk on my own. 

This time I choose an itinerary that we hadn't done anymore for at least 7 years because it is too challenging when highly pregnant/ carrying a baby on your belly/ pushing a stroller for your toddler etc.  I drove to the parking lot near the Robertville lake power dam and left off in the very steep Warche vally on the "dry" side of the dam.    It is only 5,5km long and just recently renewed with signage so easy to follow, but you must conquer quite some height differences. 

It doesn't take long on the narrow high path on the top of a steep hill, before you are rewarded with a first view on the Reinhardstein castle hidden in the valley.  It will not be the only time you get to see it and by the end of your walk you pass the castles entry gate. 

The road first winds up and down on top of the valley towards the viewpoint "Nez de Napoleon", a remarkable rock.  From there it is possible to stay "high" and walk through the fields towards the town of Walk.  Or you can continue along the valley for another splendid view to the river deep down...to all of a sudden start the firm (but not scary) descend all the way down. 

non stroller accessible trail

Once at the bottom of the valley you reach the Warche that you must follow counterintuitively a little bit downstream (opposite your destination) to cross a nice little bridge that leads you to the wide, gentle walk/bike road along the Warche. 

There is right away a wide open point (with picnic tables) that forms the confluence of the Baheyon (flowing down out its own magnificent valley south of Ovifat) and the Warche creeks.   Because the walk needs to follow the Warche you must cross a little bridge across the Baheyon again to be able to follow the Warche upstream. 

crossing the Warche (downstream of the Baheyon confluence)

The confluence of the Baheyon into the Warche

Crossing the Baheyon creek

Climbing up gently again along the Warche

The climb is for a long time very nice and gentle.  But when you approach Reinhardstein ,the arrow all of a sudden points up to a small zigzag path across a clearcut.  Wow, taking pictures is a good excuse to catch some breath. 

On that top across the valley I was at the start of the walk.  Out of the bottom of the valley I just climbed

Once I arrived at Reinhardstein, I walked routinely back towards the power dam and my waiting car. 

Tasty and well deserved. I really enjoyed doing this walk and it's challenging but quite feasible yet I think I wait a bit longer before dragging the little men along.