A step-by-step guide to a circular ride passing through the city and arching out to the east.

The Alzette

Ieweschte Syrdall

Total Distance : 57 km

Cycle Paths : 37.5 km

Cycle Path Alongside Road : 750 m

Dirt Track : 650 m

Roads : 21 km

See full route details

East of Luxembourg City lies the valley of the River Sir / Syre / Syr where some excellent cycling is to be had, much of it on traffic free routes. The Syndicat Intercommunal à Vocation Multiple (SIAS)  have created a network of local routes which arc from Senningerberg and Ernster in the north around to Hesperange in the south. It therefore links with the Nationale Piste Cyclable 2 to Echternach , the PC4 “de la Syre” to Mertert  and the PC1 Central Loop.

A free map of these local routes, known as “Vëlosroute Ieweschte Syrdall” or “Véloroute Haute Vallée de la Syre” is available at the Communes involved (Betzdorf, Contern, Niederanven, Sandweiler, Schuttrange and Weiler-la-Tour) or to download here.

Using these routes, along with parts of the PCs 1 and 2 I have put together a large circular route that takes us through the city and into the countryside around the valley. It incorporates roads, traffic-free bike paths, cobbles and a short section of unmetalled farm track.

As with any circular route it is of course possible to begin and end at any point and travel in either direction. For convenience I will commence these instructions in the city, and travel in a clockwise direction.

Starting at the bottom of the Grund lift we immediately cross the bridge over the Alzette and turn right down the cobbled path passed some bars and restaurants. We go under a small arch, and a much much higher rail bridge. At the moment there are a lot of works going on: extraordinarily this old rail bridge is being widened and this means that the bicycle path has been temporarily moved and constructed with a horrible surface to ride on – I would advise walking this part, especially when wet.

The Charly Gaul Information Post

So crossing and re-crossing the river over this structure we continue on the cobbles, up and then sharply right and down, before crossing Avranches using the cycle specific traffic lights. This is possibly the best section of PC1, seven or eight kilometres paved and traffic-free along to Hesperange, with just a couple of roads to cross. It follows the river Alzette, where you may spot the mermaid, Melusina, as she appears from time to time. More likely you will spot the sign highlighting Charly Gaul’s cycling exploits.

Leaving Alzingen by the Rue de Syren

Shortly after passing under the A1 there are allotments to be seen to the right, and we can now use the new underpass into Hesper Park, cutting out a previously difficult and annoying road crossing. Keep to the right in the park, but once near the camping do not cross the bridge signposted “PC1”, as we now leave the national route and turn left heading for a supplementary part of the Ieweschte Syrdall, namely the CR154. Be VERY careful crossing the road here, going straight across and up Rue de Syren. Staying on this road we go through Alzingen, pass the cemetery to our left and along the tree-line road. Entering the forest we climb above the railway tracks to cross them, and climb once more, with open country to the left and woodland to the right.

Looking Back to Alzingen

Haasselerbesch

At the highpoint there is a crossroads with bicycle routes to left and right: we turn left towards Contern. This route eventually heads sharply right and steeply downhill – Be warned! At the bottom we must turn fully 360^o to our left and along the unpaved farm track. At the junction turn right, and a smooth surface is reached with 100 metres.

Cornfields in the Summer

Here we are now on the southern point of the main spine of the “Vëlosroute Ieweschte Syrdall”, upon which we will remain for its entire length, where it joins the PC2 at Ernster. We continue straight passed the farm and as soon as the very first house of Contern is reached take the right-hand bend uphill. At the top, follow it to the left, and right again at the end. At the junction with the main road, turn left then first right down a track, all of which is signposted with little green bikes and arrows.

Entering Contern

A long a fast downhill is next, just make sure you take the left hand by the building – although if you miss it and go straight on just go under the railway and turn left onto the road, it will soon re-join the route.

The exhilarating downhill twists and turns brings us under the railway (line 30) and to the CR132 where we turn left. It is not long before we get our first glimpse of the Syre, here a tiny stream, and we cross over it immediately before once more turning left towards Moutfort.

Monument on the Kiem

The Kiem in Autumn

In Moutfort take the second right up “Gappenhiehl” and left at the top. Once across the main road we follow the cycle signs onto the historic “Kiem”. This was part of the Roman road linking Trier to Paris, and we follow it over a couple of junctions and past a war-time prisoner of war camp, now completely gone.

The old P.O.W Camp on the Kiem

Shortly after the second crossing we could take the first left then right towards Schuttrange, but I prefer to carry straight on. This is a lovely ride across the fields (left then right on the road – still following the green bike signs), with the Widdebierg rising in front of you.

The Widdebierg Rising in the Rain

At the final T-Junction we turn left towards Schuttrange and then right again towards Ubersyren. We are back on roads here, but there is a road-side cycle path as far as Ubersyren to use. Straight across at the cross-roads, along the CR187 over the motorway and all the way to Mensdorf. In the village we stay on this road, a hard left followed by another left at the end. Along this section we once more cross the Syre, and bid it farewell: we are now moving away from the river and will not see it again on this trip.

The River Syre at Schrassig

Immediately after crossing the railway turn left again to once more find ourselves on traffic-free roads. Continue straight until we reach Niederanven where we turn right (effectively straight on) and then at the main junction right again followed by the first left onto Rue de Bois. And indeed we pass through delightful woods, always continuing straight on, until we climb up to Ernster. Turn left onto the CR132 and now we have completed the “Vëlosroute Ieweschte Syrdall”, and we turn right onto the PC2, the Piste Cyclable d’Echternach. When given the option take the route avoiding the village of Hostert – the right hand option.

Ubersyren

This is well signposted towards Kirchberg and takes you through more forests until meandering through the residential area of Senningerberg, crossing the road at “Charlys Gare”, going through the bus turning spot and past the water-tower.

This forested path also includes a cycle bridge over a large motorway interchange. Keep to the right in Kirchberg, taking the first right down Boulevard Pierre Frieden. Look out carefully here for a non-signposted cycle path on the right. Hopefully you will get this and shortly hit a T-junction, go left and then first right and enjoy a long safe downhill. At the junction on the vicious bend go right, and then first right – ignore the no-entry sign, this is for motorised traffic only, bicycles can go against the flow legally. Now turn left for a vertiginous downhill – make sure your brakes are in good order for this section!

The Signage is Very Good on Most of This Ride

Right at the bottom onto the road, sweep round under the railway and first left into the park, rejoing the PC1. Riding carefully in the park, we are back on the banks of the Alzette. Past the football pitch, turn right over the bridge, then left and under the high Pont Grande-Duchesse Charlotte – “the red bridge” – and then straight on over the cobbles and under the arch.

The cycle signs here are a little confusing, but bear left-ish along Rue Sosthene Weis (the middle option), upwards, which eventually leads you under the Pont du Chateau, and the Bock fortifications. Down the hill, onto the cobbles once more and we arrive at the starting point after an invigorating ride.

Looking Towards the Bock and the Pont de Château

I have been riding some of the routes outlined in the Guy Binsfeld publication “66 Itinéraires Cyclistes”: the orange loose-leaf book in their series that outlines walking and cycling routes within the Grand Duchy.

This autumn has been gorgeous for the cyclist, and so I decided this morning to link two routes together, both of them from the Mosel section of the book: those starting in Remich and Schengen. Starting off on a beautiful brisk autumnal morning, I crossed the bridge at Remich into Germany, joining the Schengen route half way along.

Here I turned south and followed the Mosel Radweg, which is traffic free and well signposted. I simply never tire of riding along this river, and this morning was no exception, as the sun broke to pick out the fabulous colours of autumn across the vineyards. You barely notice that you have passed into France along this route, the only real clue being that the “Mosel Radweg” has become the “Chemin de la Moselle”.

Riding for a while with the railway between you and the river, until, at Sierck-les-Bains where there is a terrible little waterlogged tunnel under the tracks. One ought not complain about any cycling infrastructure but this is pretty grim. I was just pleased that the huge SNCF freight train rolled passed just after I had been through it – your head must be only a couple of metres below the wheels. Helpfully some kind soul had thrown a log into the deep puddle at the end, to enable my feet to remain mostly dry.

You are, however, rewarded with a lovely view once through: a view around the bend of the river towards La Klentsch.

Continuing round this bend, with the aforementioned freight train thundering above me to the left, I found this to be a glorious section, making me glad to be alive and even gladder still to be awheel.

Crossing the river shortly afterwards and turning back north I met one of the all too frequent “route barrée” signs and – like Tatiana before me, I chose to ignore it – the only result being a delightfully car-free ride along the road to Schengen. Here I had a quick look at the monument recording the “Schengen Agreement”, the importance of which is not only symbolical but also practical as it allows freedom of movement to the citizens of countries wise enough to sign up.

The advised route now took me away from the river and along a rather unpleasant road, which feeds the A13 motorway. Once past this junction, however, the road led me through a series of delightful villages before re-joining the river and back into Remich.

I swiftly switched maps to the Remich ride and continued north along the Moselle, passing the Paul Eyschen monument and finally turning upwards and away from the water at Hëttermillen up to Greiveldange. This is a certainly an uphill section, but by no means too demanding. Finding my way through the village (do trust the directions set out – even if it seems you must have missed the turning) I found this climb a little more trying. Once at the top of this very quiet road, though, there is a lovely view behind towards Germany and forwards towards the Briedemesser Bësch, looking sumptuous in its autumn colours.

From here it is a lovely coast downhill to Bous, where a nasty little roundabout has to be negotiated. Shortly afterwards, on the left turn towards Erpeldange, there is yet another “route barrée” sign that can be safely ignored by the cyclist. I have found that the “66 Itinéraires Cyclistes” often use too many roads I would rather ignore, and this section up to Ellange was a bit of a drag, to be honest.

[Photo 07] Pausing only for a quick natter with some stray chickens in Ellange, however, the national Piste Cyclable 7 “Jangeli” is soon reached.

I have ridden this delightful old railway line many times. Today the concern the fallen leaves created in making the route greasy under-wheel is more than made up for the vividness and beauty of their colours.

Thus a delightful morning’s ride is brought to a close with that familiar, exhilarating and euphoric descent into Remich.

Strava route:

We will meet at the Luxembourg Central train station at 12:30, take a train to Ettelbrück, where we start our ride to Wasserbillig

Ettelbrück – Reisdorf – Echternach – Wasserbillig

The cycling trip will end in the famous Mosel wine region for a fresh grape juice, Fiederwäissen or wine tasting… and take a train back to Luxembourg-city.

Let’s meet on Saturday, October 19th at 12:30 pm in front of the Luxembourg Central train station.
We will go by train to Kleinbettingen, then cycle to Colmar-Berg, about 40km.  The detailed cycle route is:

Kleinbettingen – Steinfort – Redange – Useldange  – Colmar-Berg.

In Colmar-Berg we will take a train back to the city.
For those who need a bicycle, the Luxembourg-city rental service “Vélo en Ville“ is situated in Grund, next to Scott’s Bar.

See you there!