Differdange walks

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.

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.

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).

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.

Set off to discover Luxembourg, its old town, its cobbled paths high up for changing panoramic views, cross a park surrounded by Vauban fortifications. Climb to the top of the Rock Bock and descend towards the old town.

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

2nd stage of Extra Tour D of Mullerthal. You will mainly walk on wide paths, notably at the “Gatter”, the 500ha private forest of the Grand Ducal family accessible to the public since 2009. Bourglinster Castle will be your final point.

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.

A beautiful circular starting from the village of Contz-les-Bains to the summit of Stromberg, which overlooks the Moselle and faces Sierck and its medieval castle.

Route along the Moselle canals.This easy, popular walk will take you along the canal and the Moselle, passing by the Argancy dam, then back via Ennery and Ay-sur-Moselle, along the Moselle.

Circular hike around Lake Haute-Sûre and Pont Misère. Between trails and viewpoints, a concentration of the best paths and trails with a more substantial distance.

A walk starting from Warnack and passing through Strainchamps, Hotte, Bodange, Wisemback and Radelange. Part of the route is in Luxembourg. The walk is mainly on forest paths with little tarmac.

Il s'agit d'un parcours réalisé dans le cadre d'une marche IVV, et qui peut être suivi à n'importe quel moment de l'année.

Water is omnipresent in Norroy-le-Veneur: wash houses, Fontaine aux Chênes, Moulin aux Prés. The fortified church and Highland cows are also worth a detour.

This hike is rated as very difficult if done in a single day, but it is possible to complete it in two or three days with bivouacking. It is advisable to start near Consdorf and stop before Lauterborn to sleep; there are some beautiful spots. 

Rammelay, Schelmelay, Goldkaul, Goldfralay and Eulenburg are the names of some of the rocks you will encounter along the way. Erosion has created bizarre shapes in the rocks, which can sometimes be compared to enormous heads.

Discover spectacular caves and rock formations on a challenging trail to the Grotte de l'Enfer (Hell's Cave) and a gentle return along the Black Ernz.

Narrow crevices, caves and impressive rock formations are on the agenda for this hike in Luxembourg's Little Switzerland.

Starting from Michelau station (free parking, free access by train or bus from anywhere in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg), the walk heads south, crosses the Sûre (a river similar to the Ourthe and Semois in Belgium) and climbs up the right bank, following its course along a forest path, a small country road and a slightly steep trail.

Ten kilometres from Metz, enjoy this walk along the banks of the Moselle through woods, orchards and vineyards.

Hike starting from the ruins of the medieval castle of Beaufort and heading into the forest with rock formations, viewpoints and streams along the way.

Circular passing along the Saint-Rémy ponds, the La Maxe greenhouses and the EDF thermal power plant.

The V50 cycle route (Luxembourg - Lyon) crosses the Messine conurbation, running alongside the Moselle from La Maxe to Augny. Like the author, who set off from Lorry-lès-Metz, it is easy to join the route and follow it to Blénod-lès-Pont-à-Mousson, between ponds and wetlands, riding mostly on dedicated cycle paths. Then you cross "Little Lorraine Switzerland" on quiet roads to rejoin the Moselle at Liverdun, nestled in one of its beautiful meanders. Following the river along the V533 greenway, you soon come into view of Toul Cathedral, the first stop on the journey.

Trail leading through chasms, caves and crevices to viewpoints on vertiginous rocky plateaus.

A superb walk in the woods of Châtel-Saint-Germain and Rozérieulles. Walk through the enchanting ruins on the heights of Châtel, pass by the Jeanne d'Arc and François de Guise Fortified Groups built by the Germans, and admire the magnificent Hêtre des Batailles (Battle Beech) and a few graves from the 1870 war.

Enjoy a breath of fresh air on the heights of Mont Saint-Quentin, starting from the Col de Lessy. Cross the plateau to the Saint-Georges farm, then Vazelle, and return via Lessy

Loop around Mont Saint-Quentin, starting from Col de Lessy, through the villages of Lorry and Vigneules, via Ferme Saint-Maurice, Notre-Dame du Gros Chêne and Châtel-Saint-Germain.

All along the Saint-Hubert Canyon, which climbs towards the forest, you can admire beech trees clinging to the rock faces. One of these beech trees received the jury prize in the 2022 remarkable trees competition.

This short, easy walk starts in Saint-Julien-lès-Metz and takes you through the green spaces on the western edge of Metz. Following the Ruisseau de Vallières stream, you will pass through the Vallières and Corchade neighbourhoods before arriving at the bucolic village of Vantoux. After visiting the 12th-century church in Mey and its traditional village, you will return to Saint-Julien-lès-Metz through fields with beautiful views of the Metz metropolitan area.

Set off to explore Banibois, in the heart of the woods crossed by the stream of the same name. This walk will take you through hundred-year-old oak trees, majestic beech trees and spruce plantations. You will also enjoy vast meadows on the edge of the woods.

The walk starts in Glatigny, a village "cursed" for Jews following a false accusation of murder of a Jewish merchant on a 3-year-old child in 1669. The latter was rehabilitated in 2009 with the installation of a commemorative plaque: it took 340 years for the village to restore dialogue and respect between the different faithsThis route then passes through the Lorraine villages of Cheuby, Sainte-Barbe, Gras and Retonfey, where you can admire farms, castles, calvaries and wash houses.