Since 2022, there have also been Belgium a Stoneman route for mountain bikers. With their video "Stoneman Story #3 - Trailrausch auf dem Stoneman Arduenna", the makers want to show what bikers can expect on the excellently signposted MTB tour through the Belgian Ardennes.
At dawn, our gaze wanders over the High Fens: As if through a window into the past, we look back into prehistoric times: in front of you lies the oldest raised bog in Europe. Emerging during the last ice age, 10,000 years ago, the High Fens plateau between the Weser and Warche rivers covers more than 4,500 hectares. We tear ourselves away from this captivating magic of the last perfect wilderness and dive deep into the colourful forests of the East Belgian Ardennes. Like the teeth of a saw blade, the elevation profile of the Stoneman Arduenna winds rapidly through the vast foothills of the Rhenish Slate Mountains. Trail down, ramp up. The constant ups and downs drive the pulse up and the lactate into the legs.
Plenty of water
It babbles, it gurgles, it rushes: the flowing water is omnipresent along the route. Small rivulets, and later wild torrents, run like a finely branched network through the valleys of East Belgium as energising lifelines. Rivers such as the Rur, Warche, Soor, Our and Weser all originate in the High Fens and roar merrily through the region's gorges.
The Stoneman Arduenna takes you on a journey to the point where the national borders simply blur in the lush greenery. It's hard to tell where Belgium ends and Germany and Luxembourg begin. The Europe Monument was inaugurated here in 1977 to commemorate the idea of a united Europe.
A trail rush through the Wolfsbusch
Gnarled old oaks, mighty beeches and huge spruces rush past us. Our gaze is fully focussed, our concentration is at its highest level and our adrenaline is pumping. We glide along the trails of the Stoneman towards Malmedy - into the Wolfsbusch, a very special trail spectacle through one of the largest forest massifs in the region. We hurtle over roots, rocks and washed-out forest floor. We have our destination firmly in sight. With the Signale de Botrange in front of us, we are heading towards a brilliant finish.
Who rides the Stoneman Arduenna?
Everyone, from trained mountain bike cracks to families of three generations. Because the Stoneman is not against the stopwatch. Here, everyone is their own benchmark. Whoever conquers the course in one day can call the Stoneman gold trophy their own. You can also take more time. If you conquer the Stoneman in two days, you will receive your silver trophy, in three days bronze. All finishers are united by the triumphant feeling of punching the stamp card on the last summit: Done!
The Stoneman Arduenna in East Belgium opened its doors again on 15 April 2022. As the opening party had to be cancelled in 2020, we will make up for it with a big party in Bütgenbach on 10 and 11 June 2022.
More information about the Stoneman Arduenna
The Stoneman Arduenna can be cycled every year from around mid-April to mid-September. Starter packages are available from as little as 15 euros at the official issuing offices and the numerous accommodation partners or can be booked online. The Logis partners are fully prepared for bike guests and make it possible to get on and off the bike along the circuit. Further news and background information about the mountain bike adventure in East Belgium can be found at www.stoneman-arduenna.com
