In the heart of this walk on the border between Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg you will find the Abbey and the Ruins of Clairefontaine, which was built in the 13th century at the request of Ermesinde of Luxembourg. The ruins and spring with drinkable water invite you to stroll. The visit is free. From there the circuit leads to the valley of the Eisch, runs around the old dam and crosses the border with Luxembourg in some places. During the return you can extend the walk via the Karlsberg and a dense deciduous forest.
Distance: 9 km.
Time: 3h00.
Grade: Easy.
Type: Circular.
Gps Track: Yes.
Route description: Yes.
Wheelchair: Not suitable.
Dog: Allowed.
Height gain: 225 meters.
Trail: Paved and unpaved.
Marking: Red rectangle number 7 and 6.
Hiking shoes recommended.
The valley of the Eisch.
The route goes from the ruins of the abbey to the Ecole apostolique du Sacré-Coeur and then via the valley of the Eisch to the old dam from the First World War. Along the banks of the Eisch it goes further in the direction of the Karlsberg to return to the starting point via the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Download PDf for route description.
POI 1 - Abbey of Clairefontaine.
The former abbey of Clairefontaine was a monastery for Cistercian sisters in Clairefontaine, near Arlon. Financially doped in 1247 by Ermesinde II van Namen and built by her son Hendrik V. In her will she chose her last resting place as a necropolis for the count's house of Luxembourg. Her tomb was discovered during excavations in the 19th century. At the end of the 16th century the abbatial church was enlarged together with the castle buildings. In the course of the 18th century, the buildings were raised to avoid further problems with the flooding of the Durbaach. The monastery was destroyed in 1794 by the French revolutionaries with their occupation of Luxembourg. The site was bought by the Jesuits in 1875 to build their Novitiate. These moved away in 1968. Today, an association watches over the management and maintenance of the site. Volunteers take guided tours in the ruins and chapel of Our Lady of Clairfontaine, built in the 19th century.
Maison du Tourisme du Pays d’Arlon.
www.arlon-tourisme.be.
