Exploring Luxembourg's natural beauty on foot: a scenic adventure in a hiker's paradise

ME.ACTIVE - If you asked me what my favourite hiking country in Europe is, I would certainly answer the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

by Hanan

It might be a small country, but the nature of Luxembourg can be stunningly beautiful and it offers much more than you could ever imagine. And last but not least, in some parts of the country you only see a few walkers a day, so it's very peaceful. If you want to enjoy silence and nature, you absolutely must hike in Luxembourg.

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​Read also | 'Luxembourg with backpack and platonic love'

Below my hiking and photo report that from my six-day hiking trip in Luxembourg.

Day one

At day one I went by train to Gouvy in Belgium and followed from there the long-distance path GR57 to Troisvierges in Luxembourg. The hike was 17 km (10.6 mile) and I walked almost 5 hours.

I took the next picture at my first hiking day from more to come. ​In front of me you see Belgium, behind my back and the camera is Luxembourg.

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Day two

And in the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir.

My second hiking day in Luxembourg took me from Troisvierges to Clervaux along the long-distance path the Escapardenne Eislek Trail. It was a short walk because I was interrupted by rain, thunder and lightning. So I only walked 14.4 km (9 miles) in 4.5 hours because there were many climbs today and honest, I had lunch too long.

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Day three

What's the longest long-distance walking path you ever hiked?

In 2007 I walked 850 km (528 miles) in 35 days from France to the westernmost point of Spain.

I took the next picture on my third hiking day in Luxembourg. I enjoy the view after a tough climb. I'm here in Luxembourg, but the other side of the valley I'm looking at is Germany. On this third day I walked from Clervaux to Vianden along the international long-distance path E2. In 13 hours I walked 39.3 km (24.4 miles). The entire path is much longer - the path starts in southwestern Scotland and ends in Nice in France on the Mediterranean coast.

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Day four

To walk in nature is to witness a thousands miracles. - Mary Davis.

On my fourth hiking day in Luxembourg I reached Echternach after I left Vianden in the morning. I have a special relationship with Echternach. But more about that later.

This hiking day I decided not to follow a signposted path. I just followed my instinct. I know this area quite well and I trusted that my feet would lead me to the beautiful places that I know. I mainly followed the River Sauer to my destination. I ended up walking 34 km (21 miles) in 10.5 hours.

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Day five

The fifth day in Luxembourg I decided to stay in Echternach for a whole day. In this oldest town in Luxembourg are many historical and cultural things to discover.

It's the place where I came over 40 years ago as a very little boy - when I was still cute - with my parents. They took me to the surrounding mountains and since that time I got the walking microbes in my blood and I fell in love with this beautiful Mullerthal area - they also call it Little Switzerland. Later I also came here with my children, and now that they grew up I still come here.

I can't count the number of times I came here. But the most remarkable hike to Echternach was one from my home town in Belgium. I walkedd 415 km (258 miles) in 17 days with my tent and backpack to Echternach. As I told you before, I have a special relationship with Echternach.

On my way to the next adventure.

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Day six

On my sixth but absolutely last walking day in Luxembourg, I first went by bus and train from the southeast to the southwest.

Bye the way, a day ticket is only 4 euro. You can use every bus and train in the small country. Or 2 euro for a journey of up to 2 hours. It's a very easy way to travel around this small country.

* Latest update: public transportation is now free in Luxembourg.

In the southwest, in Kleinbettingen, close to the Belgian border, I started walking again - I took the next photo here - te end with my hiking shoes in Arlon in Belgium, the country where I started 6 days earlier. ​It was only a short 4-hour walk, 13.3 km (or 8.3 miles).

The end is near, but behind the horizon there will be a new beginning.

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Vianden

One of the highlights during my six-day hike in Luxembourg was definitely the Castle of Vianden.

The castle was built between the 11th and 14th century on the foundations of a Roman castle and a Carolingian refuge. This castle palace is one of the largest and finest feudal residences of the Roman and Gothic eras in Europe.

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Echternach

One of my favourite places to be in Europe: the market square in Echternach. This town was one of the highlights during my six-day hike in Luxembourg.

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Watch also | 'The lake of Echternach in winter'

Echternach is located near the border with Germany and is the oldest town in Luxembourg. The town grew around the Abbey of Echternach, which was founded in 698. But you can also find the ruins of a Roman villa in Echternach and it's the perfect place to start hiking.

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A misty view

As I stood and watched the mists slowly rising this morning I wondered what view was more beautiful than this. - Hal Borland.

A view to Echternach. In the middle of the town you see the abbey. The Abbey of Echternach was founded in the 7th century by Saint Willibord. For three hundred years, it benefited from the patronage of a successions of rulers, and was the most powerful institution of Luxembourg.

To honour Saint Willibord who established the abbey there is in Echternach an annuel Roman Catholic dancing procession. It's held every White Tuesday. It's the last such traditional dancing procession of Europe.

The procession is inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.

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As I reflect on this hiking trip in Luxembourg, I'm filled with sense of wonder. The stunning scenery, the challenging hiking paths and the sense of accomplishment I felt at the end of each day made it an unforgettable experience. But this is just the beginning of my hiking journey the next years. there are countless trails and hidden gems waiting to be discovered in different parts of the world. I can't wait to lace up my boots, hit the trails and see where my next adventure takes me.

LUXEMBOURG | ME.ACTIVE | HIKING

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POST BY
Thierry Hanan Scheers
With a backpack  and hiking boots Hanan travels around the world. Destination? Somewhere, nowhere and everywhere.
backpacker and storyteller

PHOTO
Thierry Hanan Scheers

30 August 2019
updated 17 March 2023