Credit: UBS

On Saturday 18 June 2022, the first UBS MoonWalker night hiking event will kick off in Luxembourg.

Across Europe, hiking is one of the most popular outdoor sports. Large hiking events are also becoming increasingly popular. Most of them involve extremely long distances of 50 km and more. However, according to UBS, none of these events focuses on night hiking. Until now.

This June will see the launch of the first UBS MoonWalker event in Luxembourg. Participants will start in the evening hours and walk through the night and the nature of the Grand Duchy. The distances range from 10 and 20 km for families with children or experienced walkers to 50 km for those who like it more extreme and do not want to return until dawn.

The organiser is "step by step", the team which has been organising the ING Night Marathon Luxembourg in the capital for fifteen years.

"Even as children, we found night hikes incredibly exciting. Why does this concept no longer exist?", commented the organisation team, led by Erich François.

With the Swiss bank UBS, which is represented with more than 500 employees in Luxembourg since 1973, the organisers quickly found a partner who recognised the potential of this event series.

For each registration, UBS will donate €10 to the Ukraine Relief Fund of UBS Optimus Foundation.

"UBS will forward a donation of €10 to the Ukraine Relief Fund for each registration. The Ukraine Relief Fund supports long-standing partners of the UBS Optimus Foundation in the areas of humanitarian aid and child protection", explained Heinrich Baer, Country Head of UBS in Luxembourg. "The supported organisations are currently active in Ukraine, Poland and Moldova and provide important assistance. Every participant can decide to support too when registering. All donations will be matched 100% by UBS".

One more UBS MoonWalker event is scheduled to take place this year in the north of Luxembourg, around Vianden. Germany is then going to follow with additional events in 2023.

The dates are all on full moon nights to ensure that walkers can even participate without artificial lighting. "Anyone who wishes to, can hike without a flash light or headlamp. Our senses are challenged in a completely different way", said organiser Erich François. "At night, we perceive things that we would never discover during daylight".

There will be a lot to experience along the route, from acrobats to music and light installations. At the finish line, participants can enjoy a hearty soup with farmer's bread, wrapped in a classic chequered cloth.

The Fédération Luxembourgeoise de Marche Populaire (FLMP) is also enthusiastic about the new project. Georges Kintziger, Secrétaire Générale of the FLMP, commented: "This is exactly the right initiative at the right time. Especially to young people, who have just started hiking, we can show how fascinating this outdoor activity can be in our country".

Further information is available on the UBS website: www.ubs-moonwalker-luxembourg.com