Solo Hiking in Luxembourg: Mullerthal, Eislek, and Escapardenne Trails

Solo Hiking in Luxembourg: Mullerthal, Eislek, and Escapardenne Trails

This is Luxembourg, a country in Western Europe. Compact yet rich in landscapes and experiences. I had never visited before, and I came here on a long-d distanceance hike to explore it by foot. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. I began my journey on the Murhull Trail, one of the most breathtaking hikes I’ve ever done. Located in eastern Luxembourg near the town of Etern, the trail winds through landscapes that feel like they belong in a fairy tale. Known as Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland, it’s easy to see why. Dramatic rock formations, narrow winding paths, most covered forests, mysterious caves, tumbling waterfalls, and woods teeming with plants and life. Every step here felt like uncovering a secret the world had kept hidden. Millions of years ago, this area lay beneath a shallow sea. Over time, layers of sandstone were formed and sculpted by wind and water into the cliffs, ravines, and hidden corners you see today. The Murhal Trail stretches over 112 km passing through several of regions, natural reserves, and UNESCO recognized geological sites offering a variety of roots for hikers of all levels. I chose a couple of more challenging sections and they turn out to be some of the most fun. narrow pages between massive stones, tight squeezes through caves, places where honestly if you carried a big backpack, you might struggle to get through. This one is a little bit crazy. I mean, how do you supposed to fit here? Look at this. [Music] It’s really pretty. [Music] That first day of hiking felt like a beautiful introduction to Luxembourg and to what awaited me on the journey ahead. Green everywhere I looked. Bird song echoing through the forest and a calmness that feels like such a luxury in today’s busy world. It was a long day of walking and my body was tired. It had been a while since I covered such a distance. But strangely, I didn’t feel drained. I felt uplifted, energized, as if I had stepped into a different world, one that opened with promise and gave me a taste of what lay ahead on this 170 km hike across Luxembourg. It’s very pretty. That’s my place for tonight. It’s called Youth Hostel Airport. [Music] The first night on the trail was incredibly restful. After a hearty, nourishing dinner, I fell asleep almost immediately. When I woke up the next morning, I felt rested, alert, and eager for another full day on the trail. This stage would take me from Bareford to Etelbrook, connecting three different routes along the way. I started on the path towards Epaldorf and then made my way through Gillsdorf to Dick and finally continued on to Etelbrook. The landscape was a world apart from Muerhal Trail. Instead of rocky ravines and caves, I walked through wide open fields, stretches of forests, and farmland alive with wildlife. I spotted a couple of deer and even some curious little foxes. It was a quieter, more open and I hiked most of it alone that day. Just over there. See this one? This is deer. She got scared of nature. You’re so cute. Your little ears. I’m following this sign. [Music] So many spider webs here. Cuz the trees are so close from each other. [Music] Sandwich you. I think I’m on my 20th kilometer. A bit hungry. There are not that many stops where you can eat. So, if you’re going to do the same route as I am, make sure you are well prepared with water and food. [Music] This gentleman just saw that I was struggling with uh going up because I’m carrying groceries to the camping site. I actually was talking to myself. I did not realize that he was behind me and I was talking to myself and being annoyed that I have to go the last bit up and I think he heard me. He passed me by. He said hello. Then he came back to me and he said, “Can I help you with your back? It’s another 200 m. You can do it.” Oh my gosh, you’re so nice. And I’m so tired towards the end of the day. I become so grumpy. I don’t know who builds campsites on the hills. They could have built it somewhere in the valley. [Music] I’m staying in this huge tent. Looks so cool. Wow. [Music] Have my keys. It’s called Arctic Tent. This is so pretty. Little kitchen, little table, fridge. This is so lovely. Two little beds. And I guess this is my my bed with a little view. It smells so nice here because everything is made out of natural materials. It smells really, really nice. I guess it’s really cool when you come with kids and the shower. I’m so happy to be here. Wow. I feel like I’m not on a hiking trip, but on a I don’t know, like glamping luxury glamping trip. It’s so lovely. It’s just so so lovely. This place is so so special. [Music] [Music] Just left uh camping at the Brook. Got my breakfast. If you are hiking the Lee trail, it’s a good place to start or to end the hike yesterday. Got a bit nervous because I checked. But usually people do this hike within 3 days and I’m doing it within 2 days. It looks like it’s pretty challenging because of the elevation gain, but I just spoke to the the very kind gentleman at the camping uh and he said that it should be fine, especially with the weather like this. So, yeah. Anyway, nervous, excited. Let’s start the day. the first sign that I’ll be following today. Lee trail and uh I’ve heard that after passing by the soldier just gets up still. This is this is how it gets. I wonder how long it will take me to complete this hike. 30 km says 9 9 hours. So uh I don’t know. We’ll see. Oh wow. On the third day I started the Escarpalini trail. I left the campsite and followed the liberation route Europe hiking from Etelbrook all the way to Gilmule. It was a long stretch 30 km and without a doubt one of the toughest days of the journey. What I didn’t expect was just how hilly Luxembourg is. The trail went up and down again and again with climbs that made my legs burn and descends that tested my balance. It was harder than I imagined, but also full of surprises. Oh wow. Two things you notice when starting liter. First, it is very well marked. [Music] There you fall. You don’t need to check your app map GPS. Every few hundred meters you get a sign. Second, it’s a lot of uphill, especially from the beginning. But when the weather is nice, it’s it’s really really pretty. And actually third thing I have not seen any hiker now and I’ve been hiking probably for an hour. I don’t know, maybe weekends are easier, but hiking June 3rd now and uh Tuesday, June 3rd, no people. So, you’ll most probably will have trail for yourself if you hike during weekday. [Music] [Music] The landscape changes all the time. Forests, fields, roads. Oh, I see a dog. I hope the dog is friendly. It’s barking. It’s just after 10:00 a.m. and I did just over 10 km and uh I think I’m doing good. The biggest climb is in front of me still. So, we’ll see. I hope the dog is friendly. The dog is very friendly. [Music] [Music] somehow. I always thought that Luxembourg is very flat, but it’s not. You have so many little hills, bigger hills, and it’s so green. Someone will ask me, “What is your first impression of Luxembourg?” I will say it is very green and lush very pretty. The Escaparen Lee trail is one of Luxembourg’s great long-d distanceance hikes. It stretches for about 53 km running from Etelbrook to Kotenbach in the north of the country. The name Lee comes from the local word for rocky ridges and that’s exactly what defines the path. Steep climbs, forested slopes, and breathtaking views over the valley of the shore and the wilts. It’s part of a much larger network, the Escapaden trails, which together link Luxembourg and Belgium, crossing borders and landscapes along the way. The Lee Trail can be done in three stages, and while it’s demanding, the reward is incredible. Panoramic viewpoints, quiet forests, and a sense of hiking right through the heart of the Arden. You see on the other side here, and there’s a little flag down there. Passing by camping. I think it’s called the mulin. And it smells so nice. I’m really hungry. Looks like a lovely place. The river just goes around the camping spots. Lovely sound of water running. I think I need to have a little break. [Music] I genuinely cannot stand hiking up. I just become so grumpy and annoyed. Please tell me I’m not the only one. Cuz every time there is a hill, especially towards the end of the day, the time slows down. [Music] This gentleman over there was so sweet. He told me it’s almost 5 4 kilometers to the counting. And I was thinking, look how beautiful, how fast, you know, I realized that when I’m hiking, this is kind of landscape I’m enjoying the most. I see far and wide. And when I I don’t know, it just makes me really calm and happy. And I can walk for hours, hours and hours and hours. I don’t get tired when I’m hiking up or climbing down. Not the grumpiest person. Probably good at hiking alone. Not the nicest person to be around, but I’m hiking up to town. Stop him. [Music] The highlight of today’s hike. Can’t wait to have them as soon as I get to my camping spot. They also probably not the healthiest because they grow just by the road. But honestly, I don’t care because I have not seen and eaten these berries for years. And they always remind me of my dear grandfather who pick them up for me. Made it to the campsite. I’m so happy. I’m so happy. It’s been a long long day. [Music] That’s my little house for tonight. It’s uh called leave number 13. And uh it’s very cozy. Two beds. I’m occupying one. There’s a cute little window overlooking the forest and other huts and has the most amazing view. So cool and so peaceful. [Music] being fed like a queen on this hike. Look at this rice with dumplings and spring rolls. And then for tomorrow, for takeaway, for the hike, I have Poké Ball with tofu, vegetarian. This makes me so happy. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Good morning. Day four on the little trail and uh today I feel very sleepy, so tired. But it’s a beautiful morning. A little bit chilly. On the fourth day, I set off again on the Escaparen Lee trail following the liberation route Europe from Gerbism to Enarang. This stage was supposed to be one of the toughest because of the climb up to Malberi, a narrow rocky ridge like a spine of stone running high above the valley. It’s one of the highlights of the whole trail, but also one of the most demanding. The forecast of the day promise heavy rain, and when I spoke with some locals at the campsite, they advised me to avoid the ridge. Wet rock can turn teachers quickly, and tackling the mold berly alone in the rain could have been dangerous. So, I decided to take an alternative route, following lower paths instead. And I’m glad I did. That detour turned out to be one of the most magical parts of the entire hike. The trail led me deep into pine forests along paths that fell almost forgotten, scattered with fallen trees, maybe from past storms. I walked the whole day in solitude, surrounded only by harsh of the forest and smell of pine, and the soft crunch of the trail beneath my feet. It was quiet, peaceful, and strangely moving. That day became one of the most memorable of my journey. Proof that sometimes the unexpected roots are the ones that stay with you the longest. [Music] Made it to my room. [Applause] And it’s so lovely. Big bed, a lovely view, very quiet. Very small little village. So, so peaceful. Really looking forward to take a shower and rest a little bit. The last two days I continued along the liberation route to Europe following the Escaparan Lee trail from Enchilang to Clef. The rhythm of walking had settled in and the stages felt calmer. A chance to reflect on everything I had seen so far. The weather had been kind and hiking in early June during the weekdays meant the trails were quiet. I spent the hike alone and at every step I felt completely safe. Luxembourg is one of the safest countries in the world with excellent infrastructure, clearly marked trails, and friendly multilingual people. A small surprise came on the last day. A tick had found its way onto me, but luckily it was harmless. But here is a general reminder to check yourself when walking through grassy areas. I spent a night in Clef, a charming town tucked into Green Valley, crowned by its wide wash castle. The castle is home to the family of men exhibition, a remarkable collection of photographs celebrating humanity across the globe. Truly worth visiting if you find yourself in the town. On the final day, I hiked from Clev to Tuave. From there, I took the train back to Luxembourg city. One of the most surprising things for me was that public transport in Luxembourg is completely free. Trains, buses, tramps, it all just works. It felt very unusual to step onto a train without a ticket and simply go. Looking back, the entire experience was truly unforgettable. From the magical Mhal region to the rocky ridges of Escapad and Lee Trail, Luxembourg offered a perfect mix of challenge, beauty, and calm. The trails, the scenery, the people all left a lasting impression. I’m deeply grateful to the Luxembourg tourism board for inviting me to experience this hike. I would highly recommend this country to anyone who loves nature, hiking, and discovering new corners of Europe. Even in a compact space, Luxembourg manages to feel vast, rich, and full of surprises. An experience I won’t forget. [Music]

In June 2025, I visited Luxembourg for the very first time and hiked the Mullerthal Trail, the Escapardenne Lee Trail, and parts of the Éislek Trail – an incredible multi-day journey through forests, valleys, charming villages, and historic sites.

Here’s my 5-day hiking itinerary:

Day 1: Echternach → Scheidgen → Berdorf → Müllerthal → Beaufort
Mullerthal Trail Route 2 & Route 3 + Extra Tour B
Overnight: Youth Hostel, Beaufort

Day 2: Beaufort → Eppeldorf → Diekirch → Ettelbrück
Liberation Route Europe, Partly on Extra Tour B → joined Éislek Pad Gilsdorf → Éislek Pad Diekirch
Overnight: Camping Ettelbrück

Day 3: Ettelbrück → Goebelsmühle
Liberation Route Europe, Escapardenne Lee Trail
Overnight: Camping du Nord

Day 4: Goebelsmühle → Enscherange
Liberation Route Europe, Escapardenne Lee Trail / Éislek Trail
Overnight: Rackésmillen

Day 5 & 6: Enscherange → Clervaux → Troisvierges
Liberation Route Europe, Escapardenne Éislek Trail
Overnight: Hotel du Commerce (Clervaux), then continued to Troisvierges

I used the Komoot and All Trails apps to plan and navigate, but GPX maps are also freely available on the official Luxembourg tourism websites, making it easy to follow the trails.

This adventure was made possible thanks to a partnership with the Luxembourg Tourism Board.

🔗 Useful Links

Mullerthal region: Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland: https://www.visitluxembourg.com/destinations/mullerthal

Éislek Pad Gilsdorf: https://www.visit-eislek.lu/tour/eislek-pad-gilsdorf-1

Éislek Pad Diekirch: https://www.visitluxembourg.com/tour/eislek-pad-diekirch-1 https://www.visit-eislek.lu/tour/eislek-pad-diekirch-1 (it’s better to use the link in yellow referring to the official Website from Visit Éislek)

Escapardenne Lee Trail: https://www.visit-eislek.lu/tour/european-stage-trail-escapardenne-lee-trail

Éislek Trail: https://www.visit-clervaux.lu/en/eislek-trail https://www.visit-eislek.lu/escapardenne/the-eislek-trail (it’s better to use the link in yellow referring to the official Website from Visit Éislek)

Train timetable & public transport: https://www.mobiliteit.lu/en/