Eislek Pad Gilsdorf – The Schoofsbësch

8km loop to the magical “Schoofsbësch“, an abandoned quarry converted into a nature reserve.
- (Note: Be prepared to walk at least 9km as you explore the quarry. )
A perfect trail for a unique family picnic.
Park and hike by the church in Gilsdorf. By bus: Gilsdorf “Bei der Schoul” or “Op der Bell“.

Really, there is only one reason why you should put this trail on your to-do list… but it’s a very compelling one.

The Schoofsbësch is one of Luxembourg’s loveliest places: a hidden nature reserve formed from the bones and debris of a large abandoned quarry, lost to time in tranquil woodland. Whilst this place once reverberated with the sounds of heavy machinery, it is now completely silent except for the buzzing of the insects and the soft breeze rustling the leaves and wildflowers.

There’s something utterly reassuring about the way that nature has reclaimed this spot, healing the scars left behind by industry in an astoundingly beautiful way.

You’ll find the quarry right in the middle of this 8km loop… and, like everything good in life, you have to put in a little bit of effort to get there.

From the church in Gilsdorf, follow the sign above along the road rising upwards out of town, then steeper still as you veer off to a path across fields to the left. A brief respite from the gradients can be found via a (very) short detour to the “Grotte de Lourdes“, a pretty and lovingly-maintained chapel on the hillside overlooking Diekirch and the Sauer valley. Rest, meditate and prepare yourself for the final short push up to the plateau.

Once you’ve reached the end of the steep section, that’s it: it’s fairly flat or downhill from now on. It’s always nice to get the tough part over early on in the trail, allowing you simply to relax and enjoy the lush forest scenery.

Look closely at the forest around you here: although the rocks may, at first glance, appear natural, notice that their shapes are a little too square and clean-cut to be the works of Mother Nature. In other words, the signs of quarrying appear long before you actually reach the quarry itself.

And then, the trees part, the ground shifts from leaf litter to a carpet of wildflowers, and you step into the Schoofsbësch.

Quarrying began here around 1870, extracting sandstone that once shaped local architecture and infrastructure. As the activities began to fade out during the 20th century, the forest quietly reclaimed the site. Remnants of its industrial past still pepper the landscape: in addition to the cleaved rocks, you’ll find rusted carts, fragments of railroads, crumbling buildings and concrete obelisks, silent witnesses to nature’s rebirth and the passing of the seasons.

Alongside these remnants, people have also lent a helping hand to the revival of this area. Some quarry buildings have been renovated for forest activities, picnic tables and loungers invite you to rest, and a plaque commemorates the quarrymen. The 21st century Schoofsbësch blends open spaces, history and nature, making it both a rewarding hike and a unique picnic spot.

From the exit of the Schoofsbësch, it is a pleasant 4km stroll through still forest, then down through the fields and streets of Gilsdorf back to your starting point. We had spent so long exploring the quarry that the sun was setting over the Eislek hills as we descended, a testament to the spell that this magical place cast on us. We shall return.