Naturpad Conzefenn Weiswampach

A gentle and varied 8km stroll through varied landscapes.
Boardwalks, butterflies, bees, wildflowers and quiet corners galore. Perfect for a slow wander with a camera in hand.
Car park (free) at 33 Weilwerdangerstrooss, 9990 Wäiswampech.
Nearest bus stop: Weiswampach “Ennischt Duarref”.

Weiswampach. It’s just about as far north as you can go in Luxembourg, so many of us will need a pretty good reason to go there. Luckily, this family-friendly nature-filled trail is exactly that reason. Let’s take a tour.

The Naturpad Conzefenn starts by the edge of the eastern Weiswampach Lake (yes, there’s a western lake too; you’ll visit it later). If you’ve ever been to Echternach Lake, this will feel familiar: a calm body of water surrounded by parkland and wooded hills, with resident ducks and geese honking their displeasure at your intrusion into their calm, watery world. There are pedalos for hire, a swimming area, and a posh-looking hotel under construction at the far end. It’s a undoubtedly pleasant spot on a summer’s afternoon, and the trail loops nearly halfway around it before striking out into wilder countryside.

Two main things stand out in the first half of the walk. First, the trail passes through local wetland (the fenn or venn in the name, like “fen” in English) via a series of picturesque wooden boardwalks. Second – and surely related – there’s an overwhelming sense of being close to nature: a fox darting across the path in a rusty blur, the constant merry buzzing of bees, fat ripening raspberries begging to be picked, a constellation of butterflies, and the pink sea of fireweed in full bloom. Yes, walking this trail in midsummer is a joy.

Given how dominant the fenn landscape is early on I had expected it to continue. But gradually, it gives way to more typical Éislek scenery: forest, fields, and all the soft, shady places in between. Still a great place for a hike, just less distinctive.

Among the more open sections, a curious crackling sound began to rise – faint at first, then louder, until it turned into a symphony of tiny pops.

POP! pop! PoP! pop pop! POP! At first I was baffled. Then I noticed what was lining the path.

These are broom seedpods. You probably know the plant better in spring, when its yellow flowers create a blaze of colour across the Éislek. But in summer, it puts on a different show. The black pods dry in the heat until – pop! – they explode, flinging seeds like nature’s own tiny popcorn machine.

At this point, the Naturpad Conzefenn also follows an “Arnica Trail”, marked to highlight spots where this rare and striking yellow flower can be found. I didn’t see any on my visit (too late in the season?), and before long I had arrived at the western of the two lakes. This one is a bit wilder – more ducks, no pedalos – and signals the beginning of the end of the route, which circles back easily to the parkland where it all began.

A summary?

Forest bathing is a growing phenomenon, but this trail goes one better. This is nature bathing. Go on – make that trip to Weiswampach and take the plunge.