The Éislek Trail is a 104 km long hike starting in Kautenbach and finishing in La Roche-en-Ardenne (BE). Together with the Lee trail (linking Ettelbruck to Kautenbach), they form the Escapardenne, the Ardennes hike. Created in 2009, this hike is part of a programme aimed at promoting the heritage of the Belgian-Luxemburg Ardennes.
You will find various accommodations on the route and you can, if you wish, get your luggage transported between the accommodations.
In a few figures:
. The Éislek Trail consists of more than 50% natural paths.
. and less than 20% of roads are asphalted.
. It passes through 29 natural sites, 44 remarkable viewpoints, 19 villages and 3 towns.
The Éislek Trail is one of Europe's "leadind quality trails"! Route books with all the information are available in the various Tourist Offices in the region.
Difficulty: 4/4
The first stage of this hike is also the longest and one of the most difficult. It is especially its length that places it on this 4/4 scale. But don't worry, as the Éislek Trail is not only for expert hikers, this stage is still accessible for the experienced hiker. However, don't delay in starting early enough in the morning.
Points of interest: Schibberech Castle, surrounded by dense forest. The Kiischpelt, an interesting natural heritage area in the Wiltz river basin. Lellingen, a village listed as a National Monument, known in spring for its Via Botanica and thousands of daffodils. Wilwerwiltz and the legend of the St. Willibrod spring. Enscherange and its mill, the Rackésmillen, under construction to become an inn for hikers. Munshausen, the medieval village and its nature discovery centre Robbesscheier, which welcomes you all year round.
Where to sleep? The stage ends in Clervaux, which has a good number of hotels and camping sites. It is also possible to sleep in Munshausen, at the Robbesscheier and soon at the Rackèsmillen in Enscherange.
Shortening the route: To shorten the route, you can start in Wilwerwiltz or Drauffelt, which have a railway station. Or you can take the train to Clervaux.
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Difficulty: 3/4
This second stage proposes many different landscapes, with a relatively small positive difference in altitude (400 metres). Valley bottoms, dense forests and high plateaus: these 19 km are simply pleasant.
Points of interest: The mythical forest of Beischend. The ruins of a Templar village are said to still exist here. There is also a Rock Cairns, a structure made from stones that hikers come to lay down. There is also the wreckage of the FK 803, a British plane shot down on its way back from a mission in 1945. The graves of the 6 passengers are also located here. The Binsfeld Museum, located 1.5 km from the route, traces the customs of yesteryear. The convent of Cinqfontaines, infamous for having been an assembly camp before the deportation. The typical village of Sassel.
Where to sleep? The Domaine du Moulin d'Asselborn has a relay, rooms and proposes a special package for hikers.
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For more information about the next steps, visit the Escapardenne website.