Teddy Verneuil
Member for 4 years 8 months
Explorer of new horizons
Outdoor activities and photographer
THE TIME I WENT HIking through the our valley
5 min READING
Hiking is an activity that is accessible to everyone and I relish being surrounded by lush nature in this haven of peace. To achieve this feeling of wellbeing, we decide to discover the Our Valley, in particular the area around Vianden, located somewhere in-between the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg and Germany. As we arrive in the valley we feast our eyes on the hilly, verdant landscapes everywhere around us. And the proverbial cherry on the cake is the stunning Vianden castle, overlooking the surrounding hills. So this is where we set off for our hike, in the heart of these wood-clad hills enclosing this stunning castle and along the river Our. Our hike is 12km long and is called Nat’Our route 5 (almost untranslatable play of words on ‘Nature’ and the river ‘Our’ ). Parking in Vianden turns out to be quite easy and we leave on foot from the village, at the threshold of bountiful nature.
The town of Vianden, built around its majestic castle - T. Verneuil
A fairytale castle surrounded by a haven of peace
Armed with our GPS trail we take on our hike, and it promises to be a gorgeous one! For starters, we plunge into a hillside wood, start hiking uphill, and go deeper and deeper into the heart of nature.
After a couple of minutes, I finally glimpse the castle from above and I must confess I’m really impressed by its architecture and its size. It looks like a Disneyland castle straight from a children’s fairy tale and it really casts a spell on me. I’d like to stay here for ever after, simply admiring the castle, I am absolutely enthralled by this dreamy castle. Alas, it’s already time to go and discover the Ardennes’ many other heritage treasures.
The Our Valley is the perfect place to discover the Ardennes’ majestic landscapes
Enchanting landscapes
So we walk through the heart of the woods and enjoy everything about it: the walk, the exercise as well as the peace and quiet that reigns here. We catch sight of the famous Our dam and its hydraulic power plant , then keep walking up and down the hills that cross our path. This hilly area is a perfect playing ground for anyone who loves an athletic hike and this hike is no exception, believe you me…But I also need you to trust me on this: it is definitely worth it!
Once we get to the top of these small mountains, many beautiful sights await us, like the mysterious and age-old Falkenstein castle tucked away in its verdant setting. It’s hard to enjoy an overall view of the castle, but it is definitely essential sightseeing.
But what really impresses me along our hike are the stunning landscapes that abound in the area. On several occasions we come face to face with the sheer immensity of our surroundings…perfect for contemplating the Ardennes' lush nature. Along the way, we find the perfect bench to sit down, relax and soak in the magic of our surroundings. Walking along, we catch a glimpse of a cute little church tucked away in the forest and admire the sweet curves of the Our river snaking its way through the valley below. It is such a joy to discover such a rich heritage and we are rapidly swept away by the powerful charm of the site. Totally entranced, we try and picture life of yesteryear in these mythical surroundings.
The hike crosses the Our dam - T. Verneuil
The hike requires à bit of an effort, but offers the promise of magical moments to come
To our delight this loop walk runs along the Our riverbank. We enjoy crossing these wild woods and relish the peace and quiet of the open spaces. We feel as if we have found the perfect time and place for breathing in invigorating air and feeling in total harmony with ourselves.
"The perfect hike for sports enthusiasts & keen hikers"
In addition to the magical surroundings I also enjoy the athletic element of the trail. It’s great for striding up steep hills that give your legs a bit of workout, while the more challenging spots test your endurance. The trail is not challenging all along (and thank god for that), but can at times be quite intense, which makes us appreciate the easier bits even more. The craggy landscapes are just the place for a spot of physical exercise, which in turn, allows you to accumulate tons of positive energy thanks to the efforts provided.
Stunning landscapes by the dozens - T. Verneuil
After a 4h30 hike filled with wonder and effort, during which we took dozens of snapshots, we are back in the magnificent village of Vianden. This hike is definitely a must-do if you enjoy the exercise of walking, like the idea of spending time in the Ardennes’ enchanting nature and want to contemplate the most beautiful landscapes in the valley from the heights of the many hills you will roam. When we get back from our hike, we enjoy a quiet drink in the heart of the charming village of Vianden, taking our pick from the many inviting terraces that are scattered along the Our riverbanks
I’m not going to lie about it: we were really tired out after our hike and spending hours in the heart of the Ardennes’ sublime nature. But our efforts were rewarded by a sense of wellbeing coursing through our bodies and minds, so it was definitely worth the effort. In order to really benefit from this experience, I recommend you rest properly after each effort, and just sit back, relax and gaze with wonder at the beautiful area around you while savouring the unspoilt purity of the forest.
There are many other trails available and we would most certainly love to try them all!
More views of the Our valley - T. Verneuil
Enjoy this experience
The hike - 12,3 km
The hike leaves from Vianden, near the graveyard (Rue du Vieux Marché). The hike is considered difficult and should take approximately 4h30 to complete.
Along with the hike we are about to enjoy, Vianden is a must-see village because of its eventful history, stunning castle and tranquillity of the area