This is the second of three stages from Heerlen to Spa. From there we will follow the GR5 to the Mediterranean Sea.
A nice hike through the sloping landscape of the border region. The first kilometres follow the river Geul, then the trail bends to the south-west and leads through the centre of Eupen to the edge of the Ardennes.
Today we walk from Cottessen near Epen to Baelen near Eupen. It’s nice to wake up at a place we’ve walked past dozens of times before. Now we are here on day 2 of our way to Nice!
We slept well on our new airbed and we like the tent very much. We wake up with a cup of coffee, pack our 2 backpacks and leave around 9.30 am in southern direction. After barely 200 metres, we hit the first milestone: we’re walking into Belgium, the first border of our hike, lol! The weather is great, so we take off our coats and put on our hats. It’s another magnificent hike through the hills of the Borderlands. For us it’s mostly known territory, but the further we get, the more we walk along new paths.
With its 24 km, the stage is about 7 km longer than yesterday and we are starting to feel it towards the end. The backpack starts to weigh heavier and the shoulders become more sensitive. When we arrive at the campsite, it looks a bit run-down and closed. Fortunately, there is a friendly lady watering plants and the campsite turns out to be open after all, and a real gem! We can put up our tent in an idyllic forest, at the edge of a small river.
We make a cup of coffee and then it’s time to shower, cook and sleep… we are curious what tomorrow will bring!
