LPAD sponsored bike tour #2 “Prove you are fit ride” - ca. 55 km

Taking you past many famous landmarks of the region, this tour is a pleasure to the eye (weather permitting).

First this ride takes you mostly downhill following the river Syr. In the Syr joins the along the side of which will take you to the , the lowest point in the Grand Duchy at 150 meters. Here you ride up the Sure to , a flat 22 kilometer ride to about 170 meters height.

Echternach is a very old town dating back to 698. It was founded by St. and hosts the closest has to offer to Sinulog: The Echternach Dancing Procession which takes place every Whit Tuesday. Ride past the old fortified city walls and join the old railway track along the Lauterbach to the man made lake past the ancient roman . At the lake you can take a rest and enjoy a snack as the hardest part is to come.

The climb out of Echternach will take you on one of Luxembourg's most famous steam train tracks. The “Charly” train climbs up to at almost 400 meters over a distance of 6 kilometers. This part will prove you are fit. When you reach the top of the hills and pass under the busy main road, things look much better. Wizz down to the tunnel in and at the next junction leave the old railway track and follow the country roads back to .

Page 1 of 5 Biwer to Mertert

This first part takes you down to the Moselle following the river Syr, once home to many water mills.

Turn left when leaving Buergaass. Turn left at next crossroad. Follow trough to Wecker. 1 2 3 Sign is to Wecker-Gare.

Follow road through Wecker. Turn left at the main raod. Follow main road 4 5 6 Go left at the tree. (km: 1.8) to . (km: 2.0)

In Manternach center take Then take right to Mertert (km:9.0) Mertert. Pass over 7 8 9 left to Mertert. (km: 4.5) (before the hill to Lellig). main road (zebra) and …

… pass under the railway. Over the rail crossing turn After church and roundabout 10 11 12 left towards town. turn left at “T” junction.

Then immediately turn right (km: 10.0) Then left … Then right down to the Moselle. 13 14 15 At the river turn left onto “PC3”

Page 2 of 5 Mertert to Echternach “PC3: piste cyclable des trois rivières”

The Moselle will take you to Wasserbillig.

After turning left upon reaching the Arrive in Wasserbillig (km: 12) and Follow signs to Echternach passing 16 17 18 river, descend to bike track PC3. follow track under the bridge. under second bridge.

Following an old railway track from Wasserbillig takes one to Echternach. In Hinkel a nice break is the “Kulturhaff Millermoler”. A young couple lives here with their two children and have established a nice business here.

Easy mistake on PC3 going to Echternach when surfaces are wet

Although PC3 is well signed one place can be confusing: Steinheim! This is the last village before Echternach and some people will be already a bit tired getting to this point. A large farm blocks the old railway track path and one takes a sharp right turn at the back of the farm ending up at a road (Rue de la Montagne). Left or Right? The hint is the road markings which are not very visible when wet.

Advance to the stop sign. Turn left at Rue de la Montagne. After a short distance turn right, 19 20 21 The only hint is the road markings. taking you back onto the track.

Joining PC2 from PC3 in Echternach

The Piste Cyclable #2 starts in a park just after crossing a wooden bridge. It starts buy taking you under a very low bridge with a stream (the Lauterbach). This stream is crossed after passing under the low bridge. You get a good view of the ancient city wall fortifications. Getting from here to the lake is the toughest part of navigation as Echternach has many small roads.

A narrow alley awaits you along the Over the wooden bridge (km: 34) Do not cross the second wooden 22 23 24 Sure (km: 33). Take care! Stay left bridge but turn left onto PC2.

Page 3 of 5 “PC2: piste cyclable d'Echternach” from Echternach to Zittig Gare

Pass under the bridge. Turn right over the wooden bridge Turn Left and go up the one way 25 26 27 Take care! Dismount if necessary. street the wrong way (Allowed).

Zig Zag the next crossroad and Keep left going up. Turn Left at the next junction as 28 29 30 follow the sign. indicated, you arrive at a busy road.

Cross over the busy street, find the (km: 35) Pass through the gardens. Watch out turning right at the end, 31 32 33 track behind the garden going right. there many be someone!

You are about to join the old “Charly” Train Line to Luxembourg. Here a postcard of the Chapel (step 34) with train. Left of the picture the stream (no houses yet), then the alley with trees, the chapel and then “Charly” the train. The nickname was given to the train because of the general director of transport in the days was called Charles Richard. Services started in April 1904 and ended June 1954. You will be following the line back to Zittig before leaving the line for Biwer.

Cross over the stream and down the Cross over the next junction. Follow At the lake you can rest (circle) or 34 35 36 road, turn left at the chapel. the stream on the old railway track. continue turning right.

At this point, if you are feeling even a bit tired you should take a rest at the café. The next 8 kilometers are a steady uphill which will take you up the “Petite Suisse” to Consdorf at 400 meters altitude.

Page 4 of 5 “PC2” to Luxembourg is marked better than most. Only the pitfalls are listed:

The first kilometer is on the side of the busy main road to Luxembourg. Take care.

Just after the lake make sure you (km: 38) Going into the forest, then Pass the bomb, cross under the main 37 38 39 take to the right (km: 36) (km: 40) Turn left in the forest. road, keep right in Bech (picture).

Leaving the “Charli” rail line and riding back to Biwer:

(km: 47) Turn left at the next crossroad. Turn left into Zittig following the 40 41 42 Pass through the tunnel in Bech. This is Zittig Gare. “Duerfstrooss”.

After the letter box turn left. The Leaving Zittig, go straight at the 3.5 At the bottom of the hill, at the 43 44 45 sign on the wall is for Bech. ton sign (do not go left uphill). farm, turn left onto the road.

At the big crossing go straight over In Boudler go straight up following In Biwer (Yes!) 46 47 48 on to the farm track to Boudler. the road. This takes you to Biwer. Turn left.

After more than 55 km …

Welcome back!

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