Border Stone Route

From the large Luxembourg road to the small forest path

The major medieval route from Luxembourg through Stavelot to Liège ("The main road from Luxembourg") still ran in the 19th century from Schmiede via Commanster, Mauvaises Pierres, and Poteau, further to Stavelot and Liège. This road was a very important connection during the Ancien Régime and the French period (1795-1815). It was considered the fastest route between Luxembourg and Liège. It was merely an unpaved road, about 8 to 12 meters wide, through a heathland that changed depending on the weather. Therefore, carriers made it wider when it became impassable due to deep ruts.

Decline of the road
From the mid-19th century, the path became less important. The construction of "highways" from 1840 that ran through the valley diverted traffic. These roads were maintained - unlike the "main road," which was hardly passable in bad weather due to its deep ruts.

Where to rest?
Along this important road, resting places (Mauvaises Pierres, Mon Legros, Mon Mâfa) emerged, where both man and beast could catch their breath from the efforts of travel and where the draft animals could be changed. Besides some slopes - especially from Poteau on both sides - it was a matter of forging a path through swampy terrain with cumbersome, often heavily laden freight carts. The main cargo transported was oak bark to the tanneries of Stavelot and Malmedy. This leather and other goods for everyday use were transported to the larger cities. Carriages also traveled along this road.

Source: information board along the road

Eddy&Rita