The start of a new year always brings a familiar sense of anticipation and planning. Not New Year’s resolutions exactly, more like New Year’s ideas. I begin to think once again about trails I have pored over on maps, routes bookmarked but quietly postponed, places that have lingered in the back of my mind for years.
A list begins to take shape. It is not about chasing distance records or ticking off the hardest hikes in the country (although I do still like to challenge myself), it is more about curiosity and satisfaction: trails I never quite completed, classics I have somehow never written up, and corners of Luxembourg I still, somehow, have not explored.
And here it is, a selection from that list – five hikes I genuinely want to walk in 2026, at the right moment, in the right season, and for the right reasons.
Circuit du Lac (West) – 27km – Eislek
I absolutely loved the eastern segment of the Circuit du Lac when I hiked it back in April and somehow never got around to completing the mission. At almost 27km long, this western section is a fair bit longer than its eastern cousin, so I am expecting a solid physical challenge and plenty more spellbinding views over the Stausee.
Similar hikes: Circuit du Lac (East), Eislek Pad Boulaide.
ER1 Erpeldange – 20km – Eislek
The thickly wooded Sûre Valley between Erpeldange and Bourscheid is one of my favourite hiking playgrounds in Luxembourg. I have explored the area on the Lee Trail Stage 1 and the BS4 Bourscheid, but I have never tackled this tough-looking route. With several demanding climbs, plenty of viewpoints and over 500 metres of altitude gain packed into 20km, this is one I expect to feel in the legs the next day!
Similar hikes: Escapardenne Lee Trail Stage One, BS4 Bourscheid.
Mullerthal Trail Route 2 – 35km – Mullerthal
Perhaps the most iconic hike in Luxembourg and, yes, of course I have done it before. But what I have not done is feature it here on Luxembourg Outdoors, and that absolutely has to change.
The last time I completed Route 2 in a single day was at least fifteen years ago, a trail run with friends that turned into a trail hobble once my legs cramped up after 25km. Its shortest variant is still well over 35km long, with more than 1,000 metres of ascent and a relentlessly rocky, unforgiving terrain. This remains one of the toughest single-day hiking challenges in the country, and I’ll be saving my attempt on it for the long daylight hours of May or June. Watch this space.
Similar hikes: Auto-Pédestre Consdorf, Echternach E1.
Natura 2000 Ellergronn – 11km – Minett
I am always on the lookout for high-quality hikes in Luxembourg’s Red Rocks region. There is something deeply satisfying about watching nature reclaim landscapes shaped by centuries of industry, a quiet reminder of just how resilient our planet can be. I have covered most of the Minett Trail by now and discovered the wonderful Minettswee only recently, but this circular loop near Esch has somehow slipped through the net. At 11km it seems very manageable, and shorter variants are available too.
Similar hikes: Minett Trail, Minettswee Tétange
Guttland Trail Biisser Weier – 8km – Guttland
One of my personal mini-projects for 2026 is to complete my collection of Guttland.Trails – only four more to go!
The Guttland Trails is a superb, accessible network in Luxembourg’s often overlooked central region. While routes like the Fuussepad and Raschpëtzer stand out for their historical interest, others such as the Siwe Brécke-Wee and Biisser Weier are simpler, gentler affairs: deep forest and very few distractions: the perfect opportunity to put the phone away and have a digital detox for a couple of hours.
In fact, writing this, I have spontaneously decided that this will be my first hike of 2026. The perfect way to start the year!
Similar hikes: Guttland Trails Fuussepad, Raschpëtzer and Siwe Brécke-Wee.
Thanks for reading, and wishing all of you many happy hiking moments in 2026 and beyond!
Jonny
Luxembourg Outdoors 