Randonnées Thil (Meurthe-et-Moselle)

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.

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.

Famous for its Witches’ Festival, Fillières also offers lovely walking trails. This one combines a walk through the forest with country lanes. It runs alongside the River Crusnes and offers you peaceful spots to recharge your batteries in the heart of nature.

Famous for its Witches’ Festival, Fillières also offers lovely countryside and woodland walking trails. This walk through the woods will let you discover the charms of the Crusnes through the seasons. The path is currently impassable due to fallen trees. Forestry work is not yet complete.

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.

Set in a very pretty rural setting with lush green valleys and a traditional village.

A beautiful walking route amongst the old stone buildings, tunnel fountains and the countryside. Although described as a walking route, this route can also be tackled by mountain bike (in which case, adjust the starting point due to road signage; see description).

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!

This route straddles a linguistic border, the one that divides Belgian Lorraine into two cultural zones. To the west lies the Gaume, characterised by Gaumais, a Lorraine dialect of Latin origin. To the east, the Pays d’Arlon is characterised by a Germanic dialect, Moselle Franconian. The place-names, sometimes Latin and sometimes Germanic, allow you to trace the course of this cultural boundary.

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.

This circular walk starts from the village of Œutrange and takes you to the peaks of the Moselle hillside to the Notre-Dame du Chêne oratory.

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).

A pleasant, family-friendly route, mainly through the forest. It follows the "Beerenweg" trail, which allows you to discover the flora and fauna of this wood.

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.

History of Northern Lorraine. From Hayange, the "Cradle of Iron," to Neufchef, the Iron Mines Museum Circular 10 km loop through the forests overlooking the "Fensch Valley".

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.

A lovely walk passing through Volkrange, Beuvange-sous-Saint-Michel and back via Nilvange along shaded paths. A few steep climbs for experienced walkers.

Set off from Clairefontaine Abbey towards the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and discover the Stengeforter-Steekaulen Nature Reserve, the former Steinfort dam on the River Eisch, and the Plateau des Sorcières State Nature Reserve.

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

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.

From the Plateau des Trois Glands and the Vauban fortifications, descend into the lower part of the old town and escape via a panoramic lift. Then head to the historic centre from the Bock plateau and follow the corniche path to the Plateau du St-Esprit. Discover the Place de la Gelle Fra and then venture onto the footbridge suspended under the Adolphe Bridge. If you feel like it, head to the former ARBED building, now the headquarters of SpuerKeess. Finish your escape with a short tram ride to the Hamilius Forum, from where you can easily reach the Place d'Armes, the Grand Ducal Palace and Place Guillaume. The latter two squares offer a wide range of cafés and restaurants to suit all budgets.

A circular route mainly through woodland, following an old forest road (closed to traffic) in the Moyeuvre-Grande State Forest, starting from the Tréhémont farm and passing through Moyeuvre-Petite. The final climb up to the plateau and the Tréhémont farm is quite a challenge: fairly steep and long.

Forest hike from the Tréhémont farm and stables, following part ofthe GR®®5F trail, the Justemont trench to the Tivoli Pond, the Mal au Ventre spring and the Oubli spring, then returning via bridle paths through the Moyeuvre-Grande national forest.