Laura et Seb, les Globe blogueurs
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Slow travel with the family
A trip along the water discovering the stunning scenery of the Haute-sûre Lake
5 minutes reading for a sustainable boat trip
On the road to the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, at the heart of the Haute-Sûre Nature Park, the lake bearing the same name suddenly comes in sight. The lake is a mesmerising deep emerald colour, and snakes its way through the forest. We’d caught a glimpse of it a few years before, but the pouring rain had prevented us from visiting it. Today, we will finally discover the lake by exploring it in a solar boat.
Stunning view of the Haute-Sûre lake - L. le Guen
It looks like an emerald green snake winding its way through the forest
High up above…from the Burfelt viewpoint
Before we go to the Insenborn landing stage, we remember hearing about a stunning viewpoint affording scenic views of the Haute-Sûre Lake. Well, we cannot resist temptation and decide to go and see for ourselves if the view from Burfelt deserves these rave reviews. We’ll skip the nail-biting suspense, and just go ahead and tell you: the answer is a resounding yes! On this panoramic platform, 70 meters above the water, the lake reveals its splendour to the world. It looks like an emerald green snake winding its way through the forest. While we marvel at the beauty of the lake, it suddenly strikes me how natural it looks; it’s hard to believe that we are admiring a man-made lake. Before 1961, on this very spot, we would have contemplated a valley with rolling fields dotted with houses. The construction of the Esch-sur-Sûre dam has changed the landscape and gifted the locals with a water reservoir as well as a vast playing ground for a wide array of eco-friendly leisure activities. Hiking, swimming, sailing, canoeing, diving and engineless boating…a variety of fun activities that respect and preserve the beauty of this stunning environment.
The solar-powered boat, so no engine on board - L. le Guen
Silently gliding on the Haute-Sûre Lake
We are about to try one of these eco-friendly activities, the solar boat. On the Haute-Sûre lake, it is forbidden to sail motor-powered boats. A solar boat is a great alternative, because - in addition to being environmentally safe - it is also noiseless. What a joy to contemplate the beautiful landscapes with as only soundtrack the sounds made by Mother Nature. Regulations need to be obeyed, so we go and get our life jackets before climbing aboard. Hélio instantly fancies himself a seasoned seafarer ready to drop anchor.
Here we enjoy everything we love about the Ardennes, the deep forest, water everywhere you look and...a mystery-laden atmosphere
Off we go for a 2 hour boat tour with commentary. The guide explains to us the geology of the site, its history and the extraordinary tale of the dam’s construction. The boat takes us up close to the dam, and it is the kind of monumental edifice that will invariably leaves you speechless. There are scores of bright green wooden barques bobbing on the water, so there are obviously fishermen in the area. The picturesque boats blend in perfectly with their surroundings. Here we enjoy everything we love about the Ardennes; the deep forest, water everywhere you look and... a mystery-laden atmosphere.
An atmosphere that is typical of the Ardennes - L. le Guen
The guide draws our attention on the lake’s unique fauna and flora. On the shores, a flock of migratory ducks is peacefully dabbling while a flight of cormorants is spinning and twirling in the sky. Our guide even collects a small amount of water in glass jar, o we can take a closer look at the plankton. The tour is dotted with interesting discoveries and time flies by; before we know it’s time for a short interlude.
Decoding our environment in the Forest Interpretation Centre
Along the tour, a stop at the Forest Interpretation Centre is scheduled. When we get off the boat, there are a few clues on hand to show us the way. We follow the wooden animal sculptures and insect hotel till we reach the entrance. The Forest Interpretation Centre is located in an old 18th century farm, on the spot known as Burfelt. At the time the dam was built, it was no longer a working farm, because the farmlands had been partly flooded before the construction work began. A long time ago, the spot was already known to local lords and inspired many of area’s tales and legends.
In the Burfelt Forest Interpretation Centre - L. le Guen
Nowadays, it is used as to raise environmental awareness about the Ardennes forests and what they are used for. It broaches the subject of how to strike a balance between preserving nature, the use of wood and recreational leisure activities. With many entertaining activities for children, the exhibition broaches a wide array of environmental issues and the essential role of forests. Hélio, our 4-year-old son is immediately taken by the wooden construction games that are there remind the ubiquity of wood in our everyday lives. He also discovers forestry careers and local fauna: badgers, foxes stone martens and wild boars...we wish we had encountered some of them during our hikes; they are also treasures of the Ardennes forests...
Our last lap in the solar boat - L. le Guen
Enjoy this experience
Solar boat trip on the Haute-Sûre lake
Maison du Parc Naturel
15, route de Lultzhausen - L-9650 Esch-sur-Sûre (Grand Duchy of Luxemburg)
www.naturpark-sure.lu
Timetable
To plan your visit, just click here to check out their timetable.
Rates
€ 8 per person for a 2 hour boat trip
Time is always too short when exploring a place as magical as the Haute Sûre lake...