Baraque Michel

Baraque Michel is a village in the municipality of Jalhay, Wallonia's High Fens. It was Belgium's highest point before the annexation of the Eastern Cantons by Belgium in 1919. After the adjacent Signal de Botrange (694 meters (2,277 feet) and the Weißer Stein (691 meters (2,267 feet), it is now the third highest peak at 674 meters (2,211 feet).


The Baraque is an inn that serves as a jumping off place for a variety of excursions. Michel Schmitz of Herbiester (a hamlet near Jalhay) created the Baraque Michel between 1811 and 1813, not only as an inn, but also as a sanctuary for wandering travellers: a bell was rung there during fog, allowing the rescue of over a hundred persons during the 19th century.

The building was also utilized as a relay for postal coaches that ran between the two Prussian towns of Eupen and Malmedy at the time. The direct route passed via Belgian territory and followed the current N68 road.

Several Belgian rivers, all of which are part of the Vesdre basin, have their origins in the area. Gileppe, Hogne, and Helle are the most important.

Location: High Fens, Belgium

Elevation: 2,211 feet (673 meters)