Eifelsteig Stage 2: Roetgen - Monschau

• Trails Closed Due to Wildfires in the Hautes Fagnes : Starting August 14, 2026, several trails in the Hautes Fagnes will be temporarily closed due to a major fire. The closures affect, in particular, the Signal de Botrange, Mont Rigi, and Baraque Michel areas. Check local information before your hike and respect all closures until the trails officially reopen. https://www.ostbelgien.eu/fr/actualites/fiche/2026-08-14/incendie-dans-les-fagnes? This route is stage 2 of the Eifelsteig, a long-distance trail through North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. This specific section starts in Roetgen and ends in Monschau. The path leads from the Gateway to the High Fens across the Belgian border and through the unique high moor landscape of the High Fens. Hikers follow the historical Vennbahn railway line through spruce forests and open heathlands before descending into the narrow Rur Valley to the medieval cloth-making town of Monschau. Overnight stays are available at hotels and guesthouses in Roetgen or Monschau; wild camping is prohibited in the nature reserves. Potable water is accessible in the towns, but a supply should be carried for the long stretches through the moor. Both locations are connected to the regional AVV bus network; schedules are found at https://www.avv.de. The Eifelsteig is a 313 km (194 miles) quality trail from Aachen to Trier, typically completed in 15 stages.