Cycling in Luxembourg on a road bike, gravel bike or mountain bike: which route do you pick?

In Luxembourg, you pick the type of route first, and only then the bike. For a road bike or touring bike, start with the national cycle routes. On a mountain bike, look for a separately described MTB course. On a gravel bike, you usually ride a mix of both, plus sections you add yourself. That is the part that takes the most preparation. A country a few hours' drive from Brussels or Liège deserves a well-chosen day trip. That way the day stays properly fun.

What types of cycle routes are there in Luxembourg?

The national cycle network is the backbone, but it is not the whole story. The Luxembourg government distinguishes between the map of usable national cycle routes and the network as defined by law. So the two do not always match. For local and regional links, the government points to Geoportail, the national map portal. Your starting point, a village with a terrace or an extra viewpoint is therefore often on a link you have to look up separately. A line on the national map does not yet tell you what your whole ride looks like. ^[1]

PC15 along the Alzette: a long ride with little climbing

PC15 is a good example of a national cycle route: long, gentle in profile, but not separated from traffic everywhere. The route runs via Steinsel, Lintgen and Mersch. Visit Luxembourg gives 69.43 km, about 5.5 hours. Over that distance you climb 266 m and descend 258 m. Those are the provider's figures, not a promise about your pace. ^[2]

The PC number does not mean you ride on a separate cycle path all day. The directions also mention road sections and crossings, so expect moments when you are among the traffic. No special equipment is needed, but your bike must be roadworthy. Not sure whether the surface suits narrow road tyres, or whether there is just enough unpaved to take your gravel bike? Then read the official route description or ask the tourist office beforehand. Just before you leave, also check the current route conditions on the route page. ^[2]

Use the stated riding time as a benchmark, not a schedule. Say you usually ride an hour or two in Belgium at an easy pace, with a coffee stop. Then part of PC15, out and back, is a better first taste than the full distance. On the way back you already know the crossings, and you decide where to turn around.

Berdorf–Beaufort: a real MTB course

If you want technical terrain for your mountain bike, pick a course that is explicitly described for MTB. Berdorf–Beaufort is listed separately as an MTB course. The signposting works in one direction, like one-way traffic in a narrow street. So you ride it in the indicated direction, so you do not meet oncoming riders on a narrow stretch. What it says about this course applies only to this course: it says nothing about the hiking paths nearby. ^[3]

Where do you ride a gravel bike?

On a gravel bike, you usually build your ride yourself. You take a described route as a base and add local links or unpaved sections. Every addition is a new route choice, with its own questions about surface and access. So mark those sections separately on your map. The word gravel in a route name, or a path you see on Geoportail, is not permission to ride there. ^[1]

Say you are following a described cycle route and you see a forest path marked on the map that cuts your way back short by a lot. Treat that shortcut as a separate decision. Look for explicit cycling information, check for signs at the entrance and, if in doubt, ask the manager. A hiking waymark or a downloaded track says nothing about cycling. Weigh what you gain, such as fewer kilometres, more unpaved or a nicer view, against what you do not yet know. Always keep a way back over the stretch you already know, so the urge to close the loop does not decide for you.

Who is this for?

Are you just starting out, or getting back on the bike after a few years? Then a national cycle route like PC15 is a friendly start. You climb little in relation to the distance, and you can turn around at any moment. If you are coming back after an injury or a health problem, talk to your GP or physiotherapist first about how far you can go. Experienced mountain bikers will find more of a challenge on Berdorf–Beaufort. Still, read the description beforehand and honestly judge whether the technical character suits you. ^{[2] [3]}

Little time or no car? Then ride part of a route instead of the full loop, and plan how you get back first. A tight budget does not have to stop you. On PC15 you do not need special equipment, so the bike you already have is enough if it is roadworthy. At home, check the brakes, tyres and lights above all, and bring a spare inner tube. That check is worth more than a new bike. ^[2]

How do you check your route before you leave?

You can find roadworks on the national cycle network in the table from Ponts et Chaussées, the Luxembourg roads and bridges authority. That table covers the national cycle network. A notice on an MTB route page, on the other hand, only concerns that course. So look in both places if your ride touches both. ^{[4] [3]}

How to get started

This week, pick your bike and your starting point. Want a relaxed first look? Then open the PC15 page, find a section that fits your time and decide where you turn around. Does the forest pull you more? Read the Berdorf–Beaufort description and see whether the diversion still applies. Keep your own additions separate, check the roadworks and set off with a way back you already know. Then you can simply enjoy the ride.

Field notes · Route library