On the European Long Distance Trail E3 through Luxembourg
The European Long Distance Trail E3 runs for several thousand kilometres from the Black Sea through Central and Western Europe to the Iberian Peninsula. Not all parts of the trail have already been completed and marked. The route is planned to start in Turkey and run through Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, France and Spain to Portugal.
This section starts at the border crossing from Germany to Luxembourg, more precisely in Schengen.
This section starts at the border crossing from Germany to Luxembourg, more precisely in Schengen. From there, you hike the first few days mainly on little-travelled asphalt roads and through shady forests. Highlights of this section are, on the one hand, the picturesque vineyards that stretch out on both sides of the Moselle and the Wolfsschlucht (Wolf Gorge) between Echternach and Berdorf.
.The signage is a white or yellow rectangle on a blue background, usually with arrow directions. In forests, you will often only find the yellow rectangle on trees. The paths on the first section consist of asphalt for 90% of the time, then it becomes increasingly more wooded.
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Turn-by-turn directions
Day 1: Schengen - Greiveldange (25.5 km)
.The tour starts at the border between Germany and Luxembourg. After a few kilometres you reach Remerschen. In the middle of the village, you ll go uphill on the left to a hill, across the vineyards already marked by autumn. Always follow the stone steps up to the cross.
You pass the village of Wintrange, where the signpost "Felsberg" sends you back out of the village and up the next hill. At the top, you pass "Saint-Donautius". The route continues up and down the next hill. Always between the vineyards. After about 15 km, you descend through the narrow streets of Remich to the banks of the Moselle.
After leaving Remich, the path leads on boardwalks through the forest - a rest for the feet. Around 1.5 hours later, we arrive in Stadtbredimus, after another hour we ll reach Greiveldange.
Day 2: Greiveldange - Manternach (22 km)
The second stage leads through the commune of Wormeldange, after which it goes for about 20 km along what locals call the "vineyard coast". A good refuge with a fireplace above Ahnen is a good place to take a break. The route continues through a stretch of forest with moss-covered stones, dense deciduous trees and narrow paths, somewhat reminiscent of the Harz mountains. After the first 4 h of walking, you ll pass through Machtum, and after a further 1.5 h, Grevenmacher.
Day 3: Manternach - Ralingen/Rosport (19 km)
Away we go through Manternach. The terrain changes: instead of vineyards there are now various forests in front of us. Around midday, we pass the Syre-Moselle estuary in Mertens, then continue towards Rosport.
Day 4: Ralingen/Rosport - Berdorf (18 km)
Our first destination today is Berdorf. We leave Rosport and walk on narrow forest paths over roots and stones. A short stretch goes over asphalt past pastures. Large, loose stone slabs in places make progress somewhat difficult after 4.5 km we reach Steinheim, after 9 km Echternach. There you can do some shopping and take a longer break. From km 12.5 we walk on the E1. Between Echternach and Berdorf lies the Wolfsschlucht, a scenically beautiful section.
Day 5: Berdorf - Diekirch (29 km)
The route out of Berdorf is very well signposted. At first, we go into a valley, with high cliffs to the left and right of the trail After 7.5 km, we reach Chateau Beaufort. After another kilometre, the familiar signpost (yellow and white square) appears. But we do NOT follow it, because the GR5 will continue to be signposted by the yellow/white dot from here on. From here we continue on paved forest paths. We pass Eppeldorf and reach Gilsdorf. Then we continue to Diekirch.
Day 6: Diekirch - Vianden (30 km)
.The first kilometre goes straight along the road. A little after Diekirch, you turn left onto an asphalt path that winds up to the forest. At the top you can see a few quarries, which is what the Bettendorf region is known for. After 10.5 km we ll reach Longsdorf. Via Bettel we then go to Vianden, where Vianden Castle is worth a visit.
Day 7: Vianden - Untereisenbach - Clervaux (30 km)
.Today we go through Stolzembourg and Untereisenbach to Clervaux.
Day 8: Clervaux - Wiltz (25.5 km)
First you climb up the winding road via stairs and then past the old people's home. The signposting on this section is quite confusing, as the signs change in many places. Past the village of Drauffelt, the trail leads to Kiischpelt and on to Weidingen. From there you hike to Wiltz.
Day 9: Wiltz - Martelange (43.5 km)
After 3 km we reach Roullingen today, soon Büderscheid. After only 15 km, we pass the town sign of Esch-Sauer. On the last Luxembourg stage, we walk along the Sauer to Lultzhausen and Insenborn, pass Bigonville and finally reach Martelange. If this stage is too long for you, you can either split it into two days or take the bus from Esch-Sauer to Martelange. However, the route along the river is very charming.
Note
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
By train to Perl stationGetting there
On the A8 to SchengenCoordinates
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Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
Clothing:
- Three complete sets of clothing (shirt/(functional) Tshirt, underwear, socks)
- long and short outdoor trousers, rain trousers .
- Sturdy and comfortable walking shoes
- Slippers
- wind- and waterproof jacket
- Headgear
- depending on the season, long underwear, gloves, hat, scarf .
Technical:
- Mobile phone
- Camera
- Chargers & Powerbank
- Front light/torch
Other:
- Backpack with rain cover
- Sewing kit
- Second hand glue
- First aid kit
- Pocket knife/survival knife
- Trash bag
- Money, debit card, credit card
- Identification
- Vaccination card
- Storm matches
Camping equipment:
- Tent or tarp with groundsheet, pegs, ropes .
- Sleeping bag
- Isomat
- Gas cooker, crockery and cutlery
- Water filter
Hygiene items:
- Detergent
- Tissues
- Toothbrush & -paste
- Shower gel, shampoo
- Outdoor towel
Catering:
- Cereal bar
- Emergency food for 2 days
- Drinking water (minimum 2.5 l daily)
Localization
Statistics
- 7 Waypoints
- 7 Waypoints
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