Trois-Ponts to source and back along the Amblève 120 km

This cycling tour takes you along the Amblève (Amel in German) River from Trois-Ponts to as close to its source you can get on a road bike, and back. The route includes various climbs among which the steep Wanneranval and the Côte de Ligneuville, usually on quiet roads through woods and meadows with great views. The tour is suited for the racing bike. You can find places to eat and drink at only a few places, with the best options in Montenau, Stavelot and Trois-Ponts. You can park at the start on a gravel parking lot at the start of RAVeL cycling path L45. In Trois-Ponts this route connects to another trip along the Amblève from its mouth to Trois-Ponts (https://nl.wikiloc.com/routes-fietsen/pont-de-scay-trois-ponts-and-back-along-the-ambleve-100-km-85314681).
You maybe have a look at the Amblève river which you follow most of the day, and then access the RAVeL cycling path L45 on a former railway line. It starts steep to get up to the railway viaduct level, and then the cycling path takes you on moderate slope to Stavelot and through a tunnel. You then leave the cycling path and cycle down to the river. Here you leave the river to climb the Côte de Wavreumont. At the top you pass the highway A27, and then descend to the hamlet Warche, which is in the Amblève valley where the Warche River flows into the Amblève. The views of the Warche River valley are great going down. In Warche you take a look at the Rocher de Warche, a rock above the valley (access via 40 meters unpaved path). You then return, cross the Warche River and then continue along the Amblève valley through Bellevaux and Lasnenville to Pont, on the way passing the Carrière Dethier, a stone quarry. In Pont you climb the Côte de Ligneuville, a steep and quiet climb out of the Amblève valley. From the top you descend to Ligneuville, where another smooth climb starts along the somewhat busier road to Baugnez. Here you descend to Thirimont and then further towards the river, and then back up to Ondenval. Here you enter the Vennbahn cycling path for a short stretch to Montenau. From here you cycle along the Amel (since you are in the German-speaking part of Belgium) River valley via Iveldingen, Eibertingen, Amel and Mirfeld to Heppenbach. Here you cross the Amel, now only a small stream, three times before you climb the Schwalert. At the top you descend towards the Amel again, near Hepscheid. Here you cycle around the woods where the Amel has its source via the busy N658 and Morsheck towards Honsfeld. Here you enter the Vennquerbahn cycling path for a short stretch, almost immediately leaving it again on a short gravel stretch. You cycle to Holzheim and pass the water divide between Meuse and Rhine and descend all the way to Andlermühle in the Our valley, a nice descent with great views. Here you climb the Steigung von Herresbach back across the water divide to Heppenbach. From here you follow the Amel valley back to Montenau. Here you leave the German speaking part of Belgium again, and cycle along the valley to Ligneuville and then Pont. Shortly after you pass beneath the highway A27 and then follow a road parallel to the highway to Beaumont. From here you descend, ascend, and descend again to Stavelot with views across the Amblève valley. In Stavelot, you make a touristic detour through the center with the abbey and Place Saint Remacle, and two Amblève crossings. After the second crossing you do not take the famous Stockeu climb (unless you feel so inclined), but take the climb which leads you to the foot of the Wanneranval climb, also with some steep stretches. The Wanneranval climb is 1.6 km at an average of 9.5% and the most difficult climb of the day, also the last. In Wanne you make a circuit around the local church, and then take the road which soon descends to Trois-Points. Here you cross the Amblève once more before you are back to the starting point.