Full Escapardenne Trail
Duration: 10 days
Trails: T3 trails
Distance: 15 - 20 km per day
Ascent per day: 500 - 1000 m ascent per day
> Complete 3 trails at once
> Start in Luxembourg and end in Belgium
> A true escape on foot in the Ardennes
The best and most beautiful trails of Europe are not expected to be found in one of the smaller countries. However, this is nothing but the truth, in Luxembourg and Belgium you will find three of the ‘Leading Quality Trails - Best of Europe’, namely the Lee Trail and the Eislek Trail. These two hikes together are called the Escapardenne Trail. This 159 kilometer long hike is divided into the relatively short Lee Trail. This hike is only 53 kilometers, which can be hiked in 3 days. The remaining 106 kilometers are part of the Eislek Trail.
The Escapardenne Trail leads you through the dense forest landscape of the Luxembourg and Belgium Ardennes, encountering quiet river valleys and following bits of railroad tracks. You will find a compelling history, and the dream of Willem van Oranje is vividly told. You can even cross a via ferrata on this route, if you dare. With a lot of height meters, this route is intended for adventurous, experienced, athletic hikers and nature lovers.
Itinerary
Day
1
Arrival in Ettelbruck
Today you will have to make your way to Ettelbruck. Here, you will spend the night preparing for your Escapardenne Trail adventure.
Hotel Herckmans (Ettelbruck)
Day
2
Ettelbruck - Bourscheid-Moulin
Duration: 06:30 h
Distance: 17.8 km
Ascent: 600 m
Descent: 570 m
Lowest Point: 200 m
Highest Point: 470 m
The starting point of the Escapardenne Lee Trail can be found at the bus station in Ettelbruck. From here you hike toward the Patton monument, a general in the U.S. Army during World War II. The trail leads you along the edge of the plateau toward Erpeldange-sur-Sûre, or, Erpeldingen an der Sûre, which you hike through. You continue on your way and arrive at the Predigtstuhl, from where St. Willibrord preached to forest workers on the other side of the river after he failed to do so in the village. A steep climb is followed by stunning views of Gringlee. Make sure to bring non-slip shoes if the weather is bad. After a final, steep, descent you will arrive in Bourscheid-Moulin, where you will find your accommodation for tonight.
Cocoon Hotel La Rive (Bourscheid)
Day
3
Bourscheid-Moulin - Lipperscheid
Duration: 07:55 h
Distance: 21.5 km
Ascent: 750 m
Descent: 550 m
You continue the first part of this hiking day along the Sûre, on a nature trail, along the railroad. You leave the villages behind and start climbing. As you hike along the forest path, you pass Bourscheid, and get a view of Napoleonsknäppchen. This tree was planted in 1811 in honor of the birth of Napoleon's son. The route continues to Dirbach, a small village nestled between the cliffs.
You continue your way along the Sûre and a bit along the railroad, passing the Goebelsmühle train station. The path leads you further between the forest's thorn, with beautiful views of the Schlinder valley. Just before you arrive in Hoscheid, you hike over Crête rocheuse de Molberlee, a unique mountain camp trail that is home to many rare animal and plant species. Non-slip shoes are also recommended here, especially if it has been raining.
Sporthotel Leweck (Lipperscheid)
Day
4
Lipperscheid - Kautenbach
Duration: 06:45 h
Distance: 18.5 km
Ascent: 580 m
Descent: 760 m
Today you hike through the village of Hoscheid before descending into the valley of Lëtschbaach. After an ascent with several hairpin turns, you continue to the Chapel of St-Michel. The chapel is not open to the public, but you can peek inside through the peepholes in the doors. The trail crosses the road CR 348, then you descend to Hoflee and cross Gëischelterbaach. The trail officially turns right, but we recommend turning left first. This is because here you will find Hockslay, where you have a beautiful panoramic view of the surroundings. Now this is a perfect place for a picnic. After you have fully enjoyed your time here, hike down the same bit again, and then continue with the last part of the route. Here you will be treated to beautiful views of Kautenbach, the end point for today.
Hotel Huberty Kautenbach (Kautenbach)
Day
5
Kautenbach - Clervaux
Duration: 08:45 h
Distance: 24 km
Ascent: 820 m
Descent: 660 m
Lowest Point: 260 m
Highest Point: 470 m
At the station of Kautenbach you will find the starting point of the Escapardenne Eislek Trail. You start right away with a tough first hiking day, so make sure you leave on time. Soon, after a steep climb, you have a beautiful panoramic view of Kautenbach. Soon you pass the campsite of the same name. After this, the trail leads you past Schüttburg, a castle 85 meters above the valley of the Clerve. The trail continues in the direction of Lellingen over which you have beautiful views just before you descend. You walk a short distance along the railroad track, and this gives you the opportunity to also take a look at Lellingen itself. You continue along the Geeslay rock and walk past the villages of Wilwerwiltz and Enscherange.
You continue on forest paths towards Drauffelt, then walk through the Irbich valley. A little further on you have the first beautiful views of the St. Mauritius Abbey of Clervaux, which is getting closer and closer. After a descent you will reach the overnight location for tonight, in Clervaux.
Koener Hotel & Spa (Clervaux)
Day
6
Clervaux - Moulin d'Asselborn
Duration: 06:50 h
Distance: 19.6 km
Ascent: 480 m
Descent: 470 m
Lowest Point: 370 m
Highest Point: 500 m
Today you leave Clervaux behind, and follow the trail towards the mysterious forest of Beischend. Along the route you will find several memorials, such as a plane shot down by "Friendly Fire" or the Cinqfontaines, and an old monastery built at the beginning of the 20th century.
The Troine River is one of the last Luxembourg rivers you will see along the way. It is almost completely in its natural state. Following the path to the source of this river, the mill of Asselborn appears on the horizon. In this mill, in addition to a hotel and restaurant, you will find an art gallery and mill museum. In addition, you can witness the operation of the water mill.
Domaine du Moulin d'Asselborn (Moulin d’Asselborn)
Day
7
Moulin d'Asselborn - Houffalize
Duration: 06:40 h
Distance: 20.4 km
Ascent: 230 m
Descent: 300 m
Lowest Point: 340 m
Highest Point: 510 m
Leaving the Asselborn mill, the trail follows the valley until it reaches Barteshaus. This is an old farmhouse, located in the center of the picturesque village of Hoffelt, in the heart of the Luxembourg Ardennes. Here you will find the remains of the canal between the Meuse and Moselle rivers, an idea of Napoleon.
After about 8 kilometers of walking you pass the border between Luxembourg and Belgium! Here you directly find La Ligne des Crêtes, the old railroad line between Bastogne and Gouvy. A little further on you pass the entrance to the canal tunnel between the Meuse and Moselle rivers. This tunnel was never completed because Belgium became independent in 1830. You continue your way through the woods and pass Le Moulin Lemaire before arriving in Houffalize, formerly an important center for leather tannery and milling.
Hotel du Commerce (Houffalize)
Day
8
Houffalize - Nadrin
Duration: 08:15 h
Distance: 23.5 km
Ascent: 580 m
Descent: 600 m
Lowest Point: 270 m
Highest Point: 440 m
You leave Houffalize via a steep path in the old part of the town and soon you are back in the forest. You cross the Petit-Eau, a tributary of the Ourthe. After a steep climb, you'll reach Nabiselle, a plateau with beautiful views.
A little further on you will have to cross the Ourthe via a footbridge, above a small weir. Then you have a beautiful panoramic view of the Barrage de Nisramont reservoir, where the western and eastern Ourthe merge.
You pass Laid Tier, and a little further in the route, you can make a choice in the route. You can choose to follow the route as we have described it, but you must be focussed. Should it be rainy or already getting dark, at this point it is better to choose the descent.
You pass the Nisramont dam complex, built in 1958. Just before you reach Nadrin, you will find Le Hérou, a 1,400-meter-long rock face that rises almost vertically along the Ourthe River.
La Fermette Blanche (Nadrin)
Day
9
Nadrin - La Roche-en-Ardenne
Duration: 06:55 h
Distance: 18.8 km
Ascent: 580 m
Descent: 670 m
Lowest Point: 220 m
Highest Point: 440 m
From Nadrin, for the first part, you have the choice of which path to take. If you keep to the right, you follow the path as we describe it here. Are you looking for something more challenging? Then keep left, which will lead you to a via ferrata and you will climb Le Hérou by means of chains hanging along the rock. If it is raining, it is wise to keep to the right, and thus skip this challenging section.
You start with a fast and steep climb to get to Le Hérou, from where you also have an immediate steep descent, to the foot of the rock. The trail leads you further through the forest, until you pass Le Cheslé. This is a Celtic camp near the village of Bérismenil, and was a former refuge for the inhabitants of nearby villages. A little further on you pass the propeller monument, where a propeller from the B17 that crashed during World War II.
You continue walking through the woods, along streams and with beautiful views of Maboge, and the end point of this hike, La Roche-en-Ardenne.
Hotel Beau Rivage (La Roche-en-Ardenne)
Day
10
Departure
After breakfast, our services and your Escapardenne Trail adventure will be over. Have a safe trip back home!
Included
Excluded
FAQ
What and Where Is the Escapardenne?
Do I Do the Lee Trail or the Eislek Trail?
What Is the Best Season for the Escapardenne Trail?
Getting to and From the Escapardenne Trail
Book Now
Contact our Trekking Expert
Justa Atema
Just for You
