Why would anyone build a six-meter-tall tower—basically just a staircase—on top of a plateau?
That was the question that occupied me as I stood on the summit of Signal de Botrange in Belgium. At first it made absolutely no sense. But the truth behind it turned out to be surprisingly logical—and not at all religious, as you might suspect when seeing a solitary stone structure on a high windswept plain.
After visiting Mount Vaalserberg, the highest point in the Netherlands, I had set my expectations very low for the Belgian equivalent—also the highest peak in the Benelux region on the European continent. All I really hoped for was that it would be less crowded and therefore more enjoyable. Vaalserberg had been so packed on that autumn Sunday that it was almost impossible to describe with words.
Between the two summits, I made a small detour to the southernmost point of the Netherlands, Epen, and afterwards the plan was still to check out at least the easternmost point of Belgium.
The day had started in Münster, so the hour’s drive from Epen to Signal de Botrange felt like nothing at all. But it was the final stretch through the highlands that delivered the real wow moment. With raised bogs, low grass- and wood-covered hills, moorland, and forest, the landscape had a familiar Lapland vibe to it. I even took a wrong exit at the last roundabout, distracted by the scenery—one of those classic situations where you instantly wonder whether you should turn around now or hope for a better spot later.
By the time I reached the summit area it was already late afternoon. Clouds blocked the sun and the light was fading, but Signal de Botrange was wonderfully quiet. No kids running around, no music, no circus atmosphere, and no one blocking the view. I had made it to the highest point in Belgium—and, to my amusement, it wasn’t actually on top of the staircase, but at the bottom of it.
But for anyone wanting to break the symbolic 700-meter mark, those extra six meters mattered. After all, the natural high point sits at 694 meters. And, if I’m honest, I couldn’t resist it either. I climbed the steps, admired the windswept plateau, tried for a while to understand the monument at the top, and eventually gave up and continued the journey.
And guess who took the wrong turn straight out of the parking lot?
Yes—one of those days again.