Crossing borders on foot: discovering the stunning Escapardenne Eislek Trail in Belgium and Luxembourg

ME.ACTIVE - On both sides of the Belgium-Luxembourg border, in the midst of the Oesling, you will discover 106 kilometre (66 mile) of trails leading you from small discrete discoveries – an ancient cross, dry stone walls, streams… - to vast views!

by Hanan

Set out on a bold course to get away from the daily routine, escape from it all and dream about wide open spaces to be discovered on foot. 

Gossamer mists, peaceful dairy pastures, the fleeting appearance of a deer, a freshly mown meadow filling the air with a pleasant fragrance – a wealth of impressions and images will ensure that the memories of your 'escapade in the Ardennes' will stay with you. The Eislek Trail received the label “Leading Quality Trails - Best of Europe“ that was developed by the European Ramblers Association (ERA).

Check out my hiking trip along the Escapardenne Eislek Trail through the Belgian and Luxembourg Ardennes.

La Roche-en-Ardenne

I just left La Roche-en-Ardenne in Belgium, the starting point of the Escapardenne Eislek Trail. The next few days I will hiking for 106 km (66 mile) from here to Kautenbach in Luxembourg.

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Read also | 'Hiking through the untouched beauty of Belgian Luxembourg: a journey from Melreux to La Roche-en-Ardenne'

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ABOVE: La Roche-en-Ardenne, Belgium.

Day one

21.5 kilometre (13.4 mile) I did on day 1 of my hiking trip. I walked from La Roche-en-Ardenne to Nadrin. Where I slept on some campsite. I had a lot of climbs with on the top some amazing views, like in the next photo. In the background you can spot Maboge.

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ABOVE: Maboge, Belgium.

Day two

The 2nd day of my hiking trip along the Escapardenne Eislek Trail I did 24.5 kilometre (15.2 mile). I hiked from Nadrin to Houffalize. I had a lot of rain sometimes and that made it was very slippery on all the climbings I had to do. The most of times it was forest and mountains with halfway some magnificent views on Lake Nisramont and the Ourthe river.

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ABOVE: Lake Nisramont, Belgium.

Day three

30.5 kilometre (19 mile) I walked day 3 on the Escapardenne Eislek Trail. I crossed the border and I'm now in Luxembourg. The whole way from the Belgian Houffalize to Troisvierges in Luxembourg was a landscape with slightly sloping hills and amazing summer weather. The next picture is taken in the valley of the Trëtterbaach river close to Sassel in Luxembourg.

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ABOVE: Valley of the Trëtterbaach river, Luxembourg.

Day four

Taking a little break and enjoying from all the wonderful views and the lovely weather on my hiking tour. Day 4 I have 28 kilometre (17.4 mile) Luxembourg ground under my hiking shoes. I walked on the Escapardenne Eislek Trail from Troisvierges, via Clervaux to Wilwerwiltz. The next photo is taken in the late afternoon when I saw from the top of the mountain my destination Wilwerwiltz on the other site of the valley.

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ABOVE: Siebenaler, Luxembourg.

Day five

My last and 5th day of hiking on the Escapardenne Eislek Trail I left already the campsite at 7 o'clock in the morning. I just had to do a half day walking from Wilwerwiltz to Kautenbach to finish the complete hiking trail. 16,5 kilometre (10.3 mile) I walked my last day. It was the first time in 5 days I noticed it was very foggy in the morning. But I like this, because it makes the nature even more beautiful to take pictures from.

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ABOVE: Wilwerwiltz, Luxembourg.

Kautenbach

After 5 days hiking throught the mountains of the Belgian and Luxembourg Ardennes I reached the small village Kautenbach, also my end destination. The Escapardenne Eislek Trail was 106 kilometre (66 mile), at the end I walked something like 120 kilometre (75 mile) during these 5 days because I did some extra point of view. What I go to miss this already.

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ABOVE: Kautenbach, Luxembourg.

When I completed this hike along the Escapardenne Eislek Trail, I felt a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. The stunning landscapes and challenging terrain pushed me almost to my limits, but the rewards were more than worth it. I already can't wait to plan my next hiking adventure and discover even more of the world's natural beauty. If you're looking for an unforgettable outdoor experience, I highly recommend hitting the trails and exploring all that nature has to offer. Trust me, once you've experienced the thrill of hiking, you'll be hooked for life.

BELGIUM | LUXEMBOURG | ME.ACTIVE |
HIKING

INFO
Escapardenne Eislek Trail
www.escapardenne.eu

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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

15 September 2017
​updated 17 March 2023