June. Long days, warmer weather and the perfect time to try some of Luxembourg’s more challenging loop trails.
These five hikes will get you working up a sweat while showcasing some of the very best scenery Luxembourg has to offer.
(Note that I haven’t included the brilliant Escapardenne Lee Trail here (because it’s not a loop), nor have I covered the Mullerthal Trail loops (because these are very well-known already). But these are, of course, highly recommended as well.)
Boots on? Extra bottle of water in the rucksack? Let’s do this.
Felsenweg 2, Beaufort – 22km – 800m elevation gain
One of the Mullerthal’s more brutal tours, this packs the physical challenge of the better-known “Mullerthal Trails” (all over 35km) into a more compact 22km. Starting in Beaufort, Dillingen or Bollendorf, you’ll tackle three significant hills, squeeze through some wonderfully rocky passages and boulder-hop across the glorious Hallerbaach river. Don’t miss the spectacular Köppeglee viewpoint (pictured above)! Highly recommended.
More info here.
Eislek Pad Hoscheid – 11km – 550m elevation gain
If you are a fan of flat, even surfaces, this hike is not for you.
This trail takes you on a tour of a quasi-mountainous landscape just a short hop away from Ettelbruck, culminating in a lung-busting ascent of this country’s most famous “lee” ridge – the Molberlee.
It may be just over 600 metres long, but, my goodness, the Molberlee is arguably the best half-kilometre of hiking trail anywhere in Luxembourg. The comfortable world of forest and streams seemingly disappears under your feet, leaving only an exposed, narrow slate ridge and wind-beaten bushes for company. Upwards you climb, quickly, towards the level of the surrounding hills, rising brutally some 140 metres at an average gradient of well over 20%.
Every time I walk on this ridge I think to myself: Is this really Luxembourg?
More info here.
Nat’Our Route 5, Vianden – 13km – 450m elevation gain
One of my favourite hikes in Luxembourg, this trail starts with a brutal climb up to a lofty viewpoint overlooking Vianden Castle. Catch your breath and grab a drink at the well-positioned café, then continue past Falkenstein Castle and finally – the highlight of the tour – the exhilarating Lätgesbierg ridge on the Luxembourg-Germany border (pictured above). Sure-footedness required on this one.
More info here.
Circuit du Lac (East) – 17km – 600m elevation gain
A demanding and deeply enjoyable loop starting from the picture-perfect village of Esch-sur-Sûre. This trail, as the name suggests, does a tour of the eastern section of the Lac de la Haute Sûre / Stausee, crossing the pontoon bridge at Lultzhausen before circling back to the village once again. There’s nothing technically difficult here, just lots of ups and downs, each one seeming to demand a little more from your legs before rewarding you with another wide-open lake view.
The longer western section of the trail (27km) is at the very top of my to-do list as well; looking forward to it!
More info here.
EP1 Erpeldange – 20km – 600m elevation gain
For that perfect taster of hiking in the Eislek, this trail has everything you need and more. Broom-covered hillsides, castle views, serene forest, two unusual viewpoints and, of course, some challenging sections. In particular, the few kilometres out of the pretty village of Michelau towards the Priedigstuhl will have you gasping for oxygen, and at 20km long this one also will test your endurance.
It may not be jam-packed with photo opportunities, but it is simply an enjoyably demanding hike, one that you’ll feel in the legs the next day.
More info here.
Take enough water, start early if the heat is building, and don’t underestimate these trails just because it’s “only Luxembourg”.
There is plenty of bite in these hills. Stay safe out there.
(c) Jonathan Orr 2026
Luxembourg Outdoors 