Clervaux and the Irbich Valley

A climb from Clervaux to a superb view of the abbey bell tower and the valley, then a route mainly through forest, finally returning along the Irbich river on country roads or dirt tracks.

You can shorten the walk by continuing from (6) to Drauffelt station (6 km in total) and returning by train (free on the GDL).

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.06 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 323 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 320 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 479 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 352 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking on Place de la Libération in Clervaux.

(S/E) Return to the N18 and turn right towards Marnach. Just before the bend, take the path on your left that crosses the road. Cross the N18 with caution and take the steps opposite. Turn right and cross the small cemetery. Go through the gate and climb up. At the top, head straight ahead towards the house.

Yellow diamond sign

(1) The road turns right and becomes closed to motor vehicles but open to bicycles. The climb is steep. Leave the forest. Once you are further away from the forest, turn around and enjoy the view of the bell tower of Clervaux Abbey and the surrounding countryside.

(2) At the bend, go straight ahead onto the dirt track. Walk to the intersection on your left. Further on, ignore the path on your left and continue straight ahead. The path begins to climb.

(3) At the fork, take the path on your left. Then, at the signpost, continue straight ahead.

(4) At the three-way junction, keep right. Continue climbing.

(5) At the intersection, keep left. The trail continues uphill.

(6) At the intersection, turn left. Ignore the path on your right and leave the trail.

Without markings

Continue straight ahead until you reach the multiple intersection.

(7) Take thesecond marked path on your left, almost directly in front of you.

White sign on blue background

Ignore the path on the left, then the one on the right, and descend to the road. Change of signposting.

CFL signpost

(8) Go straight ahead and cross the bridge over the Irbich. Go up.

(9) At the fork, turn left and leave the signposting.

No signposts

Walk along the road for 800 m, ignoring the paths on your right, until you reachthe third one. (If you have crossed the stream, you have gone too far.)

(10) Continue along this dirt track, keeping the stream on your left at a distance.

(11) Ignore the path going uphill on your right and continue straight ahead until you reach the road. Turn left.

CFL signpost

Cross over the stream.

(12) Ignore the path on your left and continue on the road turning to the right. Go uphill. A road will come back on your left; continue straight ahead. Pass some houses, go downhill and you will come to a crossroads.

(13) Cross at the pedestrian crossing and take the stairs. At the road, after the car park, head towards the chapel opposite. Take the path downhill to the right of the chapel until you reach the X-shaped intersection with a signpost. Abandon the signposts.

No signposts

(14) Take the path downhill opposite, towards Clervaux centrum. You will come to a road in front of the gates of the Hôtel du Parc on your left.

(15) Take the steps opposite and descend to the road. Turn left. At the N18, cross carefully to reach the car park and head left towards the no-entry road.

(16) Take this road, following the river, the Clerve, and the back of the houses. Further on, pass behind the statue of the soldier on your right and return to Place de la Libération, either by taking the pedestrian walkway starting in front of the statue or by following the river, passing behind the buildings. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 352 m - Parking at Place de la Libération - Abbaye de Clervaux
  2. 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 399 m - Road closed to motor vehicles
  3. 2 : km 1.05 - alt. 463 m - Dirt road in bend
  4. 3 : km 2.3 - alt. 469 m - Path on the left
  5. 4 : km 2.92 - alt. 410 m - Three-way junction
  6. 5 : km 3.19 - alt. 447 m - Bench
  7. 6 : km 3.95 - alt. 458 m - Intersection
  8. 7 : km 4.16 - alt. 456 m - Multiple crossings
  9. 8 : km 4.96 - alt. 354 m - Route
  10. 9 : km 5.49 - alt. 398 m - Fork to the left
  11. 10 : km 6.16 - alt. 363 m - Path on the right
  12. 11 : km 6.69 - alt. 377 m - Path along the stream
  13. 12 : km 8.05 - alt. 395 m - Bench
  14. 13 : km 9.1 - alt. 423 m - Pedestrian crossing
  15. 14 : km 9.41 - alt. 398 m - X-junction
  16. 15 : km 9.52 - alt. 377 m - Stairs
  17. 16 : km 9.66 - alt. 360 m - Parking and no entry
  18. S/E : km 10.06 - alt. 352 m - Parking at Place de la Libération - Clerve (rivière) - Luxembourg - Affluent de la Wiltz

Notes

Paid parking from Monday to Friday, March to October only.

Country roads mainly used by bikes and pedestrians, and occasionally by foresters or farmers, so very quiet.

No drinking water on the route.

Bench: at (5), just before arriving at (6) and at (12).

Picnic table on the climb between (8) and (9).

You can continue to Drauffelt (total: 6 km) from (6) by following the yellow diamond signs, and then return to Clervaux by train. Trains are free for everyone in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Public transport timetable

Worth a visit

Saint Maurice Abbey in Clervaux: shop and prayers, the monastery is not open to visitors, accommodation available for men only.

Clervaux Castle: Battle of the Ardennes museum, The Family of Man exhibition, museum of model castles.

Notre Dame de Lorette Chapel: near the station.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 1 review

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
NFCB
NFCB

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, highly recommended.

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