Following Auto-Pédestre Trails in Bridel & Strassen

Chronicle.lu has put together a short series of articles on exploring the Grand Duchy by foot, with the help of the Auto-Pédestre guide to a series of walking trails covering the five regions: this article explores Bridel and Strassen walks.

The Bridel and Strassen walking trails are two relatively easy auto-pédestre routes close to Luxembourg City. They are ideal for those eager to discover the routes, but worried about their difficulty.

The Bridel auto-pédestre trail starts by the service station at the intersection of Rue de Luxembourg and Rue de Schoenfels, on which we parked. The nearest bus stop is Bridel, Taverne. This trail can be carried out in either direction as indicated by the blue diamond signs, which are plentiful and easy to follow.

We undertook the trail in an anti-clockwise direction, following Rue de Schoenfels and Rue de Steinsel, through Bridel as far as the forest. This picturesque walk of approximately 7.2km goes through woods known as Eechestecken and Erenzgröndchen and takes in the Steinsel Plateau. It is an easy walk, typically on the flat and has rest areas throughout if required. We stopped at a picnic area under a canopy of beech trees through which the sun peeked and where the only sound was that of the birds. This area was so peaceful that we stayed to chat and savour the calmness for quite some time.

From here the trail continues past rock formations. It intersects with other trails on the route but there is no danger of getting lost, thanks to the blue diamond signs, as it continues through the Buderall and Wuderall forests to return to the starting point in Bridel. Should a coffee or cake be required at this point there are plenty cafés and restaurants in the village.

The nearby Strassen walk begins at the playground at Fräiheetsbam off CR181. This trail of approximately 7km is now a blue diamond walk and considerably easier than when it was marked with blue arrows. There is ample car parking in two car parks by the playground but unfortunately there is no bus stop close by.

We went in a clockwise direction passing the playground on our right and following the Mamer river. As with Bridel, this scenic walk leads under archways of trees that are beginning to change colour. A slight negative is the noise of nearby traffic which punctuates this peaceful walk at times. 

There is a slight climb on this walk at around the halfway mark. There are, however, very considerate seating areas for anyone who may find it difficult. This short climb leads to a very welcome picnic bench and from here the trail continues on the flat back to the starting point at the playground, which has more benches to accommodate a post-hike picnic.

Both of these relatively easy walks are similarly picturesque. On the days we walked, the leaves were beginning to change colour and to fall but there was still dense foliage forming attractive archways overhead. They would both be very pleasant winter walks, with Bridel being slightly easier and more peaceful. Both take a little over two hours, but do give yourself extra time to fully enjoy them.