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Kelmis

Top 18 Huts and Cabins around Kelmis

Best huts around Kelmis are situated in a region known for its varied and hilly landscape, featuring woodlands and meadows. This area, located near the Three-Country Point where Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands meet, offers extensive hiking opportunities. Kelmis has a rich history, particularly its connection to the zinc industry, which adds a unique cultural layer to its natural beauty. The municipality provides a blend of historical sites and natural attractions for visitors.

Best huts around Kelmis

  • The most popular…

Last updated: May 3, 2026

Forest Café 't Hijgend Hert

Highlight • Mountain Hut

Boscafé het Hijgend Hert is a household name in the area. In the middle of the Vijlener Forests, it is said, this only mountain hut in the Netherlands. You can …

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De Smidse Inn

Highlight • Restaurant

Very nicely located restaurant (with hotel & apartments), the rustically furnished and from the terrace you have a beautiful view of the extensive hills. The food is really good too.

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Pioneer Spring

Highlight • Natural Monument

Unfortunately there is no drinking water (officially), but the spring still offers refreshment and relaxation. In the outlet there is an Archimedean screw that turns the water up into a trough. Great for the kids to play with!

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Seven Ways Shelter

Highlight • Mountain Hut

As the name implies, 7 forest roads intersect, a refuge and benches invite you to rest 🥪

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Hahner Mill

Highlight • Mountain Hut

The Hahner Mühle is an old water mill located on the Inde. Built from the bluestone or limestone common in this area. It is privately owned and is now used as a hostel that I highly recommend.
hahner-muehle.de

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Popular around Kelmis

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Tips from the Community

Marc BODSON
April 1, 2026, Siebenwege Shelter

A break in the middle of the woods to soak in nature

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Open 365 days a year, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Very good food, very friendly service despite the busy times.

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Large central resting place with various outdoor benches and spacious hut. Suitable for any weather type to take a suitable break.

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3

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Definitely worth a stop here for a bite to eat or a drink

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6

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Pionierquelle Tour 1252 – Aachen – On the black 5 to the Pionierquelle Up and down in the Aachen forest Car park 52076 Aachen, Brückchenweg corner of Monschauer Straße (please also look at the map, the hiking car park is in the forest) Type Round Length 3.5 km Difficulty Easy Elevation Undulating Literature No information On map No information Signage, white five on a black circle Path surface Asphalt and forest paths …

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An 🇧🇪
December 10, 2023, Herberg De Smidse

More than 100 years ago, one of the great-grandfathers of the current owners took over his parents' forge in Epen. His wife – therefore the great-grandmother of the current owners – also starts a shop here. There she sells all kinds of things: from nails, wallpaper and colonial goods to wheelbarrows and fabrics. For a small fee, travelers can sleep in the hayloft. In the evening they eat with the pot with the blacksmith, his wife and the large crowd of children. The Smidse has remained the property of the Bessems family for generations, until today. The inn is often referred to as 'Pension Bessems' on old picture postcards. The 5th generation of Bessems has been at the helm since 2007. They continue the work of previous generations with great enthusiasm.

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Spacious refuge with a forecourt at a large crossroads in the Aachen forest

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Matthias
February 20, 2022, Pionierquelle

When we visited yesterday, the spring seemed to have completely dried up, not even a trickle anymore. We wouldn't have expected this due to the wet weather we've had recently. Hopefully this can be fixed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What unique experiences do the huts and shelters around Kelmis offer?

The area around Kelmis features a variety of unique spots. You can visit Forest Café 't Hijgend Hert, known as the only mountain hut in the Netherlands, offering food, cakes, and an extensive beer list. De Smidse Inn provides a rustic inn experience with views of rolling hills and good food. For a natural and relaxing stop, Pioneer Spring offers a quiet spot with an Archimedean screw for children to play with.

Are there family-friendly huts or shelters in the Kelmis area?

Yes, several spots are great for families. Forest Café 't Hijgend Hert is family-friendly and even has a petting zoo. Pioneer Spring is a natural monument with an Archimedean screw that children love to play with. Additionally, Seven Ways Shelter is a wonderful place for a family break in the forest.

What kind of historical sites can I find near the huts in Kelmis?

The region has a rich history, particularly its connection to the zinc industry. While not directly a hut, Hahner Mill is an old water mill built from bluestone, now used as a hostel, offering a glimpse into the area's past. The Museum Vieille Montagne in Kelmis also details the zinc mining history.

What outdoor activities can I do near the huts around Kelmis?

Kelmis is excellent for outdoor enthusiasts. You can find extensive hiking opportunities through woodlands and meadows. For cycling, explore Road Cycling Routes around Kelmis or MTB Trails around Kelmis. There are also Mountain Hikes around Kelmis, such as the moderate 'Göhl Tunnel – Vaalserberg Three-Country Point loop from Plombières'.

Are there good hiking trails that lead to or pass by these huts?

Yes, the area is well-known for its hiking. Forest Café 't Hijgend Hert is part of the Vijlenerberg Kroegjes Routes, which combine hiking with food and drinks. Many trails, including themed ones departing from the Casinoweiher, offer opportunities to explore the varied and hilly landscape, often passing by natural resting points like Seven Ways Shelter.

What natural features can I expect to see near the huts in Kelmis?

The region is characterized by beautiful woodlands and meadows, with a varied and hilly landscape. You can visit Pioneer Spring, a natural monument. The area is also close to the High Fens-Eifel Nature Park and the Dreilandenpunkt (Three-Country Point), offering breathtaking views and diverse natural settings.

What do visitors enjoy most about the huts and the Kelmis region?

Visitors appreciate the unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance. The huts, often forest cafes or inns, are praised for their idyllic locations, good food, and friendly service. The extensive hiking opportunities through the hilly landscape and the rich history, particularly the zinc mining heritage, are also highly valued by the komoot community.

Are there any huts or inns that offer accommodation near Kelmis?

While traditional wilderness huts are not common, De Smidse Inn offers accommodation in addition to its restaurant services. The region also features various vacation rentals, some of which provide unique, nature-focused stays in characterful holiday homes or even a 'forest hut' experience, as highlighted by regional research.

When is the best time of year to visit the huts and trails around Kelmis?

The region's woodlands and meadows are beautiful throughout the year. Spring and autumn offer vibrant colors for hiking, while summer is ideal for enjoying outdoor terraces at places like De Smidse Inn. Even in winter, places like Forest Café 't Hijgend Hert are open daily, providing a cozy stop after a winter walk.

Are there any hidden gem huts or lesser-known spots worth visiting?

Beyond the well-known spots, the region offers various shelters and resting points within its extensive trail network. Seven Ways Shelter is a peaceful spot in the middle of the forest, perfect for a quiet break. Exploring the numerous hiking paths can lead you to many such serene locations.

Can I find cafes or restaurants near the hiking trails in Kelmis?

Yes, several establishments combine hiking with culinary delights. Forest Café 't Hijgend Hert is a popular choice, known for its food, cakes, and extensive beer list. De Smidse Inn also offers a restaurant with a terrace and good food, making it an ideal stop during your outdoor adventures.

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Find more beautiful huts and cabins around Kelmis by checking out the top ones in these nearby places:

EupenHautes Fagnes-Eifel Natural ParkRaerenLontzenAmelBüllingenWelkenraedtWaimesBütgenbachPlombièresBaelenSaint VithMalmedyStavelotJalhayTheuxSpaLimbourgStoumontBurg-ReulandThimister-ClermontPepinsterTrois-PontsDisonAubelLierneux

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