Discover Kelmis: Mining History, Trails and Nature

Kelmis combines traces of its mining past with walks, nature experiences and opportunities for active days. Those planning a trip with children or wishing to combine culture and exercise will find various options here: the RAVeL Line 39B runs from Moresnet to La Calamine, while historical paths and walking routes bring the region’s history to life. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether you would prefer to focus on industrial heritage, landscapes, swimming or shared discovery tours.

Experience Kelmis’s Mining History

The history of mining shapes several sights. At the Vieille Montagne Museum, both the history of Neutral-Moresnet and the history of mining take centre stage. The Park Villa was built around 1843 as the director’s residence for the head of the “Agence de Moresnet” of the “Vieille-Montagne” company. The Penning Houses provide another historical highlight: they are among the oldest surviving houses in La Calamine.

Traces of this past are also visible in the landscape. The Casino Pond and the Altenberg spoil heap are remnants of 19th-century ore mining. A footpath leads across the spoil heap. Specialised plants have become established in the heavy-metal-rich soils, including the calamine violet (Viola calaminaria). In spring, wild daffodils bloom along the Gueule around Kelmis. This makes it possible to combine the region’s industrial past with a glimpse of its distinctive natural environment.

Trails for Different Holiday Days

For a shorter exploration, the 2.5-kilometre “Souvenirs, souvenirs” walk is a good option. The La Calamine Historical Trail runs through the centre of the former mining settlement and uses 15 illustrated panels. They compare historical views with present-day perspectives. Those who would like to explore the town’s history in greater depth can plan these stops as a separate activity.

The neo-Gothic Church of the Assumption of Mary was built between 1862 and 1865 and adds a cultural dimension to Kelmis. Families may also enjoy the “Au pays des pensées calaminaires” trail: it begins at the Casino Pond in La Calamine. Its name refers to the distinctive plant life of the heavy-metal-rich soils and makes the walk a combination of landscape and regional history.

Choose a Holiday Apartment to Suit Your Trip

Kelmis is well suited to a trip where the same type of excursion does not have to be on the agenda every day. You can devote one day to mining history, set aside another for a walk or family trail, and also consider including the RAVeL Line 39B in your plans. If water and exercise are important to your trip, the Galmeibad has a 25 x 15 metre swimming pool with six lanes. The pool is officially approved for competitions.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Kelmis, it therefore helps above all to make a clear decision about the pace you want for your trip: would you like to explore culture and local history in greater depth, prefer short routes to a walk, or combine different interests during your holiday? The available themes can be combined flexibly without restricting the trip to just one sight.

Discover More Places

If you would like to expand your trip planning beyond Kelmis, you can also explore the pages on Hergenrath and Neu-Moresnet. This gives you additional guidance for making your choice in the surrounding area without losing sight of Kelmis’s distinctive trails, landscapes and historical themes.

For the higher-level travel overview: Liège.

More Destinations

More places in the same destination:

Grâce-Hollogne, Herve, Lincent, Anthisnes, Sankt Vith, Malmedy.