Half an hour after arriving in the clouds depends have solid ground under their feet

It only takes you an hour to cross from north to south Luxembourg. That Luxembourg is much more than just a tip between to fill up the tank with few euros advantage we have already experienced. It is also a paradise for mountain bikers we do not know. Where a small country can be great.

in a nutshell

Okay, maybe it's something chic to take the plane to Luxembourg. Half an hour after arriving in the clouds depends have solid ground under their feet. In sunny weather it is a nice flight to a limited extent about our country and that of the southern neighbors. Rotterdam, the Zeeland Bridge, Antwerp from a bird's perspective. Also you can see from above the diverse landscape of Luxembourg. The north, which still forms part of the Ardennes, with its forested mountains, hills and river valleys. And south to more hilly, but less rugged.

Fly to Luxembourg
By plane to LuxembourgIt's almost geography lesson into practice at this cruising altitude
Rent or bring

The disadvantage of flying is that it is very expensive to bring your own bike. Not insurmountable. Here you will find almost no bikes in the rental with a stroke in the rear, a crackling derailleur or refusing fork. Just good quality. Some bike shops even serve as a test drive. Then you can even rent the latest material.

Biking in LuxembourgWe got the decision on the 2017 models of Scott
Biking in Luxembourg

"Whether we know where the beginning of the route?". Amazed agent under his black hat looks at me. "Um, I'm going to ask," it sounds friendly. He runs up the stairs and come back after about ten minutes. Thorough police investigation revealed that just needs to be left a narrow asphalt road for entry of Bavigne up. The entire office has been collected at the counter. Ten eyes watching us intently. We thank them kindly and set off to discover that a small white sign with a green triangle actually points to the path.

The route leads over ruts along vast fields and beautiful vistas. Then by a dense bospassage. Among the tens of meters high slender pine trees, the sun's rays make their way to the ground. Challenging elevation changes and beautiful long stretches along the shimmering lake make it a significant route.

Biking in LuxembourgOccasionally a piece of hardened down
Biking in LuxembourgOr again on a bridge
Mountain biking in Luxembourg: Upper-SûreA quiet moment at the lake
Peace and space

For our first trip we took as a base the northern village Lutzhausen, bordering the vast lake of the Upper-Sûre, which is known for its water sports. Half of Lutzhausen consists of the youth hostel . Not only a shelter for youth, incidentally, the name sounds somewhat misleading. In Luxembourg, the hostel above a neat and affordable accommodation. Not a hotel, but for less than twenty-five euros a night, there is the quality / price after. In the basement is a safe and dry storage for the material.

Youth LutzhausenThe main building of the youth hostel in Lutzhausen
Fietsbrug LutzhausenAcross the lake by bike bridge leads you to the first challenging trails
Monstrous

One final round early in the morning before we leave for the south. It looks more mysterious at this early hour. As if at any moment a terrifying creature surrounded by mist may rise out of the water. The surface remains slippery as we circled the lake cycling.

lake of the Upper-SûreJust after sunrise the lake looks very mysterious
Along the mines

for the following route time. Very useful. The front wheel by the hook and the mountain is so on the train. We go by train to the south of the country, direction Esch-sur-Alzette. The domain of the mines. In particular, iron ore was here extracted from the earth. After production ended more than thirty years ago, the nature, the area taken up again. Meanwhile, the so-called "Red Rock" has become a playground for bikers. The industrial character has been preserved in a modest way. Railway sleepers have become singletrack. You pass remnants of the past such as old equipment and metal bridges.

Biking in LuxembourgCycling past memories of a long lost time
Red Rock LuxembourgFrom the surrounding hills you have a nice view of the quarry
Bike ParkGuide Gregory plays with the runs and jumps on the bike park
Best challenging this thirty kilometer route which partly runs along the border with France. Spicy descents, steep climbs and a lot of natural obstacles. Stones, by bubbling rivers and under bridges. All elements in it. A former quarry has become a real bike park with several natural jumps for the experienced biker. Even if you're less proficient on the bike to complete the route well. Halfway no sense? Then you just bike to the nearest station and take you back to the train. Luxembourg city is just over twenty minutes and with a great place to stay.

Mountain biking in trainReally easy, the bike can just join in the train
seven castles

Surrounded by elongated pastures and hilly forests are seven castles in the valley of the Eisch. Both walking and cycling routes linking the castles, ranging in condition from mint condition to ruin each other. An official mountain bike route is not here, but there are plenty of opportunities unpaved, with of course the necessary height of cycling castle to castle. You do not fancy the chance to have to find the way? That may be difficult. However, there are mountain guides in the region so that you take in tow and show you the nicest spots.