Anyone who thinks of Luxembourg thinks of... What exactly? Buying cheap fuel at the ‘Capellen’ gas station or the country you always drive through quickly when you’re driving to Switzerland or Italy? Still, it’s worth staying there for a bit longer, especially if you have a bike on the back of the car.
Destination unknown
It is the beginning of May when I’m driving my camper towards Italy. The final destination is completely open, but the weather doesn’t look too good in the Dolomites. After a brief discussion with Google, I enter ‘Berdorf’. A small village in the southeast of Luxembourg. After just under four hours, I park the camper at camping ‘Bellevue 2000’ and take my bike out of the rack for a reconnaissance tour of the area. If there was even any doubt left whether Luxembourg Although it is a cycling country, these doubts are all taken away in the first few meters. This is mainly due to the road surface in combination with the surroundings. A hilly landscape stretches as far as I can see, where the roads manage to find their way in a winding manner. Although this destination was not planned in advance, I am immediately pleased with the choice for Luxembourg.
The route
Before I attached my hiking shoes to the pedals, I set a route in the Garmin so that I wouldn’t have to search while on the road and could fully enjoy the surroundings. From the very beginning, the trail either slopes up or down, so for flat kilometers you really have to stay at home. As mentioned earlier, the trail is truly fantastic; you can leave that to the Luxembourgers, as well as the public transport. Beautiful electric buses, regular departure times, and completely free.
Berdorf is located on a large plateau at just over 300 meters above sea level. This route initially continues mostly on the plateau but also offers some variety. For example, at one point I drive between the meadows and a kilometer later in the forest. After 20 kilometers there is a serious descent in which I can really get into the saddle for a moment. The road winds through the forest from the plateau down towards Sûre or Sauer as the Germans say. This river is also the border between Luxembourg and Germany.
Once I reach the bottom, I take a left towards Echternach and follow the meandering river. The road is slightly uphill, but in such a way that I don’t have to strain my legs. This changes when I head towards the final part of this route. The best (if you like climbing) is in the tail of this route. The ‘Route de Berdorf’ is a tourist route from Echternach to Berdorf where there is a lot of beautiful scenery to be found. There are special rock formations and viewpoints set up for the hikers, but more importantly. Between these rock formations lies a great climb to ride up (and down of course) on a bike. The climb is 4.1 kilometers long with an average rise of 5%. There is a small section of 11%, but my Garmin mostly stays between 6 and 7%.
Encouraged by the many hikers who are hiking the ‘Mullerthal Trail’, I head up the mountain and enjoy not only the climb, but also the special forest. Not for nothing is this area also called Klein Zwitserland. When I think I am on top, the climb continues for a long time towards Berdorf; this last kilometer is not so steep, but it feels quite heavy due to the duration of the effort and the wind in the open field. Fortunately, the segment ends at a cozy terrace in the center of Berdorf where I can enjoy a short but wonderful route in Luxembourg.
Tips:
Echternach:
A cozy little town with plenty of restaurants and a touch of culture for the culture-loving traveler. A nice place to relax after a ride. From Echternach, you can take the bus (free of charge) to Berdorf if you haven’t brought your bike.
Mullerthal:
Of course we come here to cycle, but if you want to stretch your legs a little, you can walk part of the Mullerthal trail. This 37-kilometer trail runs through the entire region and takes you past all the beautiful sights of the area, so if you have some time to spare, take off your cycling shoes and put on your hiking shoes.
Camping Bellevue 2000
I stayed at Camping Bellevue 2000. It is not a campsite aimed at cyclists, but provides all the amenities and, more importantly, it is a great starting point for the described cycling route.
For more tips about Luxembourg, check out these articles we wrote about this cycling destination.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.