L2 Trail: Hiking Larochette and Meysembourg Castles

9km loop trail linking Larochette and Meysembourg castles.
Starts directly at the Tourist Information Office in Larochette.
Parking available e.g. on Chemin J-A Zinnen. Bus stop “Larochette Spuerkeess”.
Plenty of eating / drinking possibilities nearby.

Many hikers and tourists in Luxembourg will be long-familiar with the picturesque ruin of the Château de Larochette, perched on a rocky bluff overlording the narrow streets and terraced houses of the village below. But for most, the romantic towers of the Neo-Renaissance Château de Meysembourg, discreetly hidden in the forest, will be much less familiar. This trail allows you to enjoy superb views of both, as well as typical Mullerthal woodland scenery.

Starting directly at the elegantly converted railway station that now houses the local tourism office, follow the clear and frequent L2 signs on a quiet street leading out of Larochette. At the edge of the village, at an ornate stone chapel in the rocks, the trail pivots to the right and into the woods.

You could argue that nothing much happens for the next few kilometres; the path rises ever-so-slightly in a mostly straight and orderly fashion through rather plain forest all the way to a picturesque pond. Castles are not typically noted for their stealth, but you’re now only a stone’s throw away from the imposing Château de Meysembourg, lurking enticingly just beyond the trees. Just walk a little further and – all of a sudden! – there it is, looming over you in all its mildly-menacing fairy tale majesty.

Once a medieval stronghold (dating way back to the 12th century), Château de Meysembourg saw battles, royal drama, and several rebuilds before donning its fancy Neo-Renaissance outfit in 1880. It’s still in private hands, so you can’t visit it and there are precisely zero tourist facilities of any kind around (unless you count a picnic bench). Meysembourg is therefore simply a lovely spot to rest, enjoy a home-prepared sandwich and contemplate the flamboyant centuries of privileged lives living in such a place. You will, of course, also try to get some better views for the camera, but this isn’t easy; it is well-hidden by the mature trees surrounding it, and I’m fairly confident that the owners have no intention of changing this anytime soon. Why would they?

Having exhausted all viewing possibilities, its time to do an almost 180° turn and head back on the other side of the lake towards Larochette again. The path continues to rise slowly and curve gently for several kilometres, passing a fitness trail and all the way back to the entrance of the “Birkelt” mega-campsite on the outskirts of Larochette. Pass the campsite and enter the forest… and the views over the better-known of today’s castles begin to come thick and fast.

Hugging the edge of the cliffs bordering the Birkelt plateau, this classic Mullerthal-style path leads to Verluerekascht viewpoint. From here, Larochette sparkles like a jewel nestled in its verdant valley, crowned by its majestic castle ruins.

You’re almost back at the starting point now – almost directly above it, in fact – but to get down there you’ll have to navigate the only section of any technical difficulty on the trail: a steep winding staircase through a narrow canyon in the sandstone rocks. It’s an unexpectedly exciting end to what otherwise is a calm and quiet hike through Luxembourg’s castle heartland, a trail where history and nature intertwine in timeless elegance.