Perlenbach-Kreuz im Venn-Rur-Monschau-Perlenbach 20.6 km

Beautiful hike in the Eifel in and around the valleys of Rur and Perlenbach, with among others the picturesque town of Monschau, the rock formation and Holy Mary cave at the ‘Kreuz im Venn’, the Reichenstein convent, the viewpoints at Ehrensteinsley and Teufelsley, and the Perlenbach reservoir. The hike was inspired by, but is slightly different than, another hike on Wikiloc: “Monschau Jahrhundertweg 19,3 km” (http://nl.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=5765870).
The walk starts at the parking strip on the B399 next to the Perlenbach Dam (see waypoint); there is no parking fee here unlike in and around Monschau. You first climb the wooded hill west of the valley and then find your way around various paths on the edge of the pastures on the top of the hill and the woods on the valley slopes. You pass the Hasselbach valley on a little bridge (see waypoint). A little later you descend a little into the Rur valley and have a view partly obstructed by trees of the Reichenstein convent, which you will visit later on during the hike (see waypoint). You pass the outskirts of the village of Kalterherberg before descending to the Rur valley. Here you walk a short stretch on the Vennbahn (see waypoint), a former railway now converted into a cycling path before climbing in the direction of Belgium via Ruitzhof hamlet (see waypoint). Here you have a nice view towards Kalterherberg. From here, you slightly ascend into Belgium into wood of the Hohes Venn/Hautes Fagnes. Here you will find the rock formation with the big cross at the “Kreuz im Venn” (see waypoint). At the foot of the rock formation there is a Mary statue (see waypoint). From here you descend towards the Reichenstein convent (see waypoint), a Benedictine monastery in the Rur valley. Here starts a beautiful and sometimes muddy track along the Rur river bank, which you follow for about 2.5 km, before making the ascent to the viewing point at Ehrensteinsley (see waypoint). After viewing the scenery here you make for the picturesque town of Monschau (see waypoint). You make a small loop through the touristic center and then follow the Eifelsteig route out of the town on the south side of the river. You have beautiful views of town here, among others at Kierberg viewpoint (see waypoint), before you descend to the Burgau parking lot. From Burgau, you climb out of the valley on the wooden slope along the Eifelsteig route towards Perlenbach Dam. On the way there, you will find two other rock formations/viewpoints at Teufelsley and Engelsley. Shortly before the dam, you will follow the Perlenbach river on a short loop.
Especially on the stretch besides the Rur, it was quite muddy, so you would need waterproof shoes. On the route, you can only find catering in Monschau.