Bourscheid Castle in all its glory

Car park at Bourscheid Castle.

(S/E) From the car park, cross the road carefully to reach the side of the castle. With your back to the path leading to the castle, turn right onto the descending dirt track. At the fork, keep to your right and walk until you reach the junction with a path on your right.

(1) Turn right and head downhill. At the junction, keep left. Walk downhill until you reach the railway tracks and come to a fork.

(2) Head up to the right until you reach the road. On your left, climb the escarpment with a view over the Sûre Valley. Head back down and turn left along the CR308. Carefully walk down this busy road until you reach the path climbing the escarpment on your left.

(3) Take the path and climb up to Fuusslee, where there is a viewpoint overlooking the castle. Follow the path and descend to the road. Cross with care and take the path opposite, which turns left and passes in front of a house. At the road, continue to the right and head down to the Sûre. Cross it and, on the other side, continue to the left.

(4) A few metres further on, cross the N27 with care and take the path with the green gate. Head uphill, keeping to your left if you’re unsure. Pass the bench at a viewpoint overlooking the castle ruins and continue uphill until you rejoin a path.

(5) Continue to the left and turn immediately right, ignoring the path leading towards the gate. Climb the winding path. At the top, continue to the right and discover the Gringlee viewpoint. Continue along the dirt track between the meadows to the crossroads.

(6) Turn right. The path curves to the right, becomes a track and descends. Keep to the right at the wind turbine. Pass the viewpoint over the Sûre Valley and Bourscheid Castle.

(7) Continue to the left. Walk down to the road. Cross with care and continue straight ahead. Return to the road, cross again with care and continue straight ahead. Pass to the left of the building and continue down the slope, keeping straight ahead. Leave the woods and pass an open area on your right with a bench.

(8) View of Bourscheid Castle on your right. The path becomes a road and enters Michelau. Walk down to the crossroads and turn right. At the N27, turn right and follow the road to a car park near the railway bridge spanning the Sûre.

(9) Use the pedestrian crossing on the railway bridge to cross the Sûre. Head down to the right and, at the bottom, turn right. Go under the bridge and, before the house, turn right. Go round the house and continue along the dirt track. At the junction, turn right then immediately left at the^first forest track you come to. Go under the tree trunk lying across the path and follow this disused track.

(10) Continue uphill, following the path which changes direction as it crosses over a stream. Pass the last fallen tree trunks, ignoring the hairpin bend to your left, and continue climbing the grassy path.

(11) Step over the pile of branches on the ground as best you can and turn around. A magical view of the ruins of Bourscheid Castle rewards you for this long climb. Continue to the wide forest track and turn right. At the fork, keep left. Discover more views of the castle as the track winds round the bends. Walk to the edge of a meadow at the bend in the forest path.

(12) Take the path on the right just before the entrance to the meadow. At the fork, keep left. Cross the metal footbridge and head right until you reach the road. Cross carefully and continue straight on, heading uphill. At^{the first} path, turn right and ignore the entrance to the campsite. The road becomes a dirt track. Head downhill until you reach the road again and return to your car park (S/E).

Difficulty: the climb along the Sûre to the Gringlee viewpoint (between (4) and (6)). The other climbs are more gradual, but the final one from (9) to (11) is quite long and littered with fallen trees.

Bourscheid Castle: open to visitors. More info HERE.

Benches: at (1), on the climb after (4), at (7), on the road after (7), at (8).

Picnic table: at the Gringlee viewpoint after the (5).

From October to December, please be aware of hunting dates

During

Bourscheid Castle: it was extended in four stages, the last of which was completed in 1430 with the construction of the great enclosure and its numerous turrets. Abandoned in the 19th century, the imposing castle eventually fell into ruin.