Belvaux, Milliounelach

In the Minett region in southern Luxembourg, the country's wealth was generated over decades, until after the steel crisis in the 1990s when mining stopped and nature was able to reclaim the landscape – leading to the creation of breathtaking nature reserves. A similar development occurred on the other side of the border. Both regions now have extensive natural areas perfect for hiking. Discover on this 22-kilometer circular hiking route how closely the history of both regions is intertwined; this cross-border hiking route was created in cooperation with the "Communauté de communes du Pays Haut Val d’Alzette" (CCPHVA) and loops through the former mining areas of both countries. On the Luxembourg side, the route leads from Belvaux to Esch-sur-Alzette and through the "Ellergronn" nature reserve, over part of the regional trail "Minett Trail". Along the way, the route also passes the Belval district with its impressive blast furnaces. Here you can enjoy a viewpoint nearly 40 meters high overlooking much of the region. On this side, you will particularly discover the history of the transport chain and steel processing. The extraction of the precious ore itself takes place beyond the border; here the route goes through Audun-le-Tiche, where you can visit an archaeology museum, then through an extensive forest area in the former mining region, and onwards to the small border village of Rédange. Discover here too how closely the regions are connected.

At the beginning, an impressive view of Belval and the blast furnaces is offered. The route alternates between village idyll and historic places in the midst of the forests, such as the castle on Zolwerknapp. A great picnic spot is available towards the end of the route, where you can also explore the fully loaded carts (“Buggiën”). Along the trail, there are plenty of stops for lovers of local products; the inclusive shop "Eis Epicerie" in Soleuvre offers local and regional goods for purchase and tasting, and will also allow for dining from June 2026. Two freely accessible orchards with local fruit varieties, part of the "Tutti Frutti" project of the Minett UNESCO Biosphere, are located directly on or just a short walk from the trail: "Pakebierg" boasts an abundance of cherry, nut, pear, and apple trees, while the orchard at "Haus A Gadder" features 50 trees of various fruit varieties. Not far from the trail, and just a short drive away, you can admire the art of coffee roasting at "Torrefaction Knopes," fill up on milk at "Haff Tempels" in Oberkorn, or purchase fresh pasta products at "Pastificio Angelini" in Differdange.

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At the beginning of this stage, you can already see one of the highlights of the Minett Trail: the Belval district. It is one of the largest urban development projects in Europe on a former industrial site. On the way here, you'll find one of the local orchards, freely accessible as part of the Minett UNESCO Biosphere's "Tutti Frutti" project: "Parc Belval" boasts 33 fruit trees, including cherry, apple, and pear trees. In Belval itself, former industrial giants such as the iconic blast furnaces meet newly built residential and commercial areas. You can visit the former blast furnace plant and climb the blast furnace. The panorama over the district is fantastic. Continue across the longest bicycle bridge, the "Veloduct," towards Rue de l'Alzette. Luxembourg's longest shopping street also houses the Escher Infofabrik, where you can get information about other sights, hiking and biking routes, and cultural events nearby. Local producers such as the coffee roastery "Jolt Coffee Roasters" or the chocolates of the chocolatier "Lola Valerius" (both not directly on the way, but only a short detour away) await your visit, as does the shop "Kaf lokal", which offers all kinds of regional and local specialties and products directly along the way in the Rue de l'Alzette. The section between Belval and the train station in Esch-sur-Alzette is also completely barrier-free and can be recommended as an alternative route for people with limited mobility.