Baraque Michel, Summit and inn at High Fens, Belgium.
Baraque Michel is a mountain inn and overnight shelter located in the High Fens region at approximately 674 meters elevation. The building provides rooms for guests and a dining area serving warm meals to visitors and hikers exploring the moorland.
A stonemason built the first structure here in 1811 to provide shelter for travelers facing the harsh conditions of the moorland. Over the decades, the place developed from a simple refuge into a managed inn serving visitors to the region.
The place is named after a craftsman who dedicated himself to helping travelers navigate these highlands safely. The bell mounted on the outer wall served as a lifeline for people caught in harsh weather across the moorland.
The location sits on an exposed plateau and can be windy and wet, so bring weather-resistant clothing when visiting. Several walking trails start from here and branch out through the protected natural landscape, making day hikes possible in all directions.
A memorial cross on the grounds honors a young woman who lost her life during a storm in 1860. This remembrance marks a stark reminder of how treacherous conditions once were for anyone traveling through this region.
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