Clemency walks

A route through woods and meadows, from Koerich Castle to Saint-Celse Chapel in Bour, via Septfontaines Castle.

The mines, the mines of yesterday, the iron mines... this is the main theme of this hike.Fond-de-Gras is the most informative site on this subject: it was the station where narrow-gauge trains converged to unload iron ore into standard-gauge wagons bound for the steelworks and blast furnaces of Pétange, Differdange and others in Belgium and Germany.

Lasauvage and Fond-de-Gras are must-see sites for understanding the mining history of this cross-border region.The railway line between Fond-de-Gras and Pétange was built in the 19th century to facilitate the transport of iron ore from the hills to the steelworks and foundries located on the plain.The narrow-gauge network, which can be seen in both Lasauvage and Fond-de-Gras, was used to transport the ore from the underground mine galleries to the transfer points.Fond-de-Gras, formerly known as the Lamadelaine industrial station, has now become a living museum of the region’s mining and industrial past and houses magnificent relics from days gone by. It is also the home of the ‘Train 1900’ and ‘Minièresbunn’ (underground) tourist trains, which operate mainly at weekends and on public holidays from May to September.

As the weather is set to be rainy with thunderstorms all day, I’m sticking to the main roads – even the major routes – to get to my destination for the day, Habay-la-Neuve, as quickly as possible. I’m staying in a hotel in the town. The stop (E) is therefore at my discretion.

A pleasant walk in Gaume, even in gloomy weather, through countryside and forests.The route begins by climbing up to the plateau overlooking Rachecourt before descending into the depths of the Batte valley.After the small reed pond, the route crosses the country ridge before descending to Battincourt, where the playground offers a few benches and a welcome picnic table.In Battincourt, the walk follows the marked "Les Sept Sources" trail in the opposite direction until just beyond the Battincourt ponds.On the way back, the route passes through a lovely arboretum!Please note that some sections, such as the Bois de Pertot, can be very muddy.

Our route to Metz takes us through the heavily urbanised areas of Luxembourg City and along the Moselle valley. Choosing to make the most of the increasingly extensive cycle paths, particularly those along the rivers, makes this route efficient, safe and picturesque.

A gentle walk through a forest with a variety of habitats and landscapes. Ideal for a half-day of exploration!

Gaume, this beautiful hilly region in southern Belgium, is known for its mild climate. However, I have no idea if the area is popular with hikers... There are hiking markers all along the route. It is possible that you will encounter few or no people.

This very natural route takes you on a journey of discovery through the wooded hills on the border between the Batte (Belgium) and Coulmy (France) valleys.Anyone with even a passing interest in the region's industrial history will also discover its mining and steel-making past, highlighted by the Transfrontier Iron Mines Trail and a number of information panels along the route.The trail passes by some of the iron mines that brought prosperity to the region in the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as the Musson slag heap, which over time collected all the slag from the mines on the Musson and Halanzy sides. Now cleaned up, it has been turned into a nature reserve managed by the DNF (Nature and Forestry Division).

This magnificent walk takes you on a journey of discovery through the former mining sites operated by the A.R.B.E.D between Esch-sur-Alzette, Schifflange and Kayl. It is offered by the CFL (Luxembourg's railway company) as part of its Hike & Rail range of hiking trails from station to station and has been slightly modified by us at the start and finish.

After a detour via the Etang de Tattert, you’ll traverse the first Lorraine cuesta – also known as the Sinémurian cuesta – discovering its sandy soil, rocks and steep-sided paths.

Start at the Ermitage de Saint-Léger, continue towards the Trou du Pérou and its waterfall, pass by the Étang du Fourneau David, then the Source Pétrifiante, and finish by crossing the Bois de Saint-Léger.

A walk along the Chiers, on a mainly tarmac-surfaced and easily accessible route. This walk takes you close to former industrial and production sites that are now disused. In the tranquillity of the forest, imagine the hum of activity from days gone by still echoing amongst the trees and the remnants of the past.

From the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, this route heads to Arlon, the capital of the Belgian province of Luxembourg, before passing through the villages of northern Gaume. Away from the main roads, it follows cycle paths, country lanes and tracks reserved for farm machinery, as well as a few rideable footpaths. There are several suggested stops to choose from, so you’ll need to pick a few to complete the stage in a single day!

Chapels to explore in the villages of Parette and Nothomb, a state-owned nature reserve in the Nothomb Valley to cross, and border marker 151 to find in the middle of the woods: this is what’s on offer on this circular walk starting from the village of Nothomb.

Set off to explore the magnificent landscapes between the Ardennes and Lorraine, from the Marais de Grendel Nature Reserve to Colpach Castle with its permanent sculpture trail, Colp’Art.

A peaceful route through woods and valleys. The Anlier Forest covers over 7,000 hectares. It is the largest contiguous beech forest in Belgium. It is here that the black stork has made its grand return to Wallonia, after a century of absence.

Circular in the Anlier forest starting from Habay-la-Neuve, discovering the various ponds used for the forges.

This pleasant walk starting from the village of Parette invites you to discover the idyllic landscapes of the Nothomb Valley. The route descends gradually towards the stream, winding its way through green meadows, country hedgerows and small copses typical of the southern Ardennes. Following the course of the stream, the path offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and allows you to enjoy the tranquillity of this unspoilt valley. The walk then reaches the outskirts of the village of Nothomb, known for its rural heritage and authentic setting. The return journey to Parette takes you up through the hills. After a steady climb, the route reveals magnificent panoramic views of the valley you have just walked through and the rolling landscapes of the Pays d’Arlon. This ascent offers a striking contrast to the intimate atmosphere of the valley floor, before you reach the starting point in the heart of the village.

After reaching the Château du Pont d’Oye, the walk begins with a pleasant route through the woodland, skirting the ponds before moving away from them to join a secondary gravel road. This takes us over hill and dale through the forest up to the heights of Martelange, a border town between Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

We are on the Ardennes plateau, the terrain is not steep, and we can admire the beautiful Ardennes countryside. Basically, we are circling around the relay antenna used to broadcast television programmes. It is a haven of peace and tranquillity. We did it in ideal weather conditions, but you should expect the harsh, windy climate of the Ardennes, where we often have snow in winter.