Luxembourg’s Ardennes: Bourscheid, Upper Sûre and Clervaux
One of Luxembourg’s largest castle ruins, a village in a river loop, a forest reservoir, a famous photo exhibition in Clervaux and Vianden’s castle.
- Distance
- 109 km (67 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 30 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Luxembourg
- Updated
- June 16, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 109 km (67 mi) with 8 stops, from Luxembourg to Vianden. About 1 h 30 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Luxembourg
Route description
Leave Luxembourg City north on the N7 through Mersch and Ettelbruck into the Éislek, the Luxembourg part of the Ardennes. After about 45 km, turn off towards Bourscheid, whose castle ruin stands on a ridge above a bend of the Sûre. The walls and towers are well kept, and the views reach far over the forested hills. Fuel in Luxembourg is cheaper than in its neighbours, so fill up.
Follow the Sûre west to Esch-sur-Sûre, a village almost enclosed by a loop of the river under its castle ruin. Just upstream, the dam holds back the Upper Sûre Lake, a reservoir that winds for kilometres through the woods. Swimming is allowed at Insenborn and Lultzhausen, and motorboats are banned apart from electric ones. Paths along the shore make good half-day walks.
Drive north to Wiltz, a small town with a castle and a museum on the Battle of the Bulge, which hit this area hard in the winter of 1944. Then continue to Clervaux, a town in a narrow valley. In its castle, The Family of Man, the famous 1955 photography exhibition by Edward Steichen, is on permanent display. It closes in the winter months.
From Clervaux take the road south-east through the Our valley along the German border to Vianden, about 30 km. Its castle rises above the town, with a chairlift to a viewpoint. Luxembourg’s roads are toll-free and the distances are short, so this trip fits in a weekend. Autumn brings bright colours to the forests, and spring is quiet.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Luxembourg
Luxembourg - 242 km
Bourscheid Castle
HistoryBourscheid, LuxembourgOne of the largest castle ruins in Luxembourg, on a spur above a bend of the Sûre with wide views over wooded hills. Paid entry, audio guides; parking below the walls.
- 312 km
Esch-sur-Sûre
Luxembourg - 46 km
Upper Sûre Lake
NatureEsch-sur-Sûre, LuxembourgA reservoir winding through the Ardennes woods, used for drinking water, with bathing areas at Insenborn and Lultzhausen; only electric boats, sailing boats and canoes are allowed. The dam just west of Esch-sur-Sûre gives a good view.
- 511 km
Wiltz
Luxembourg - 615 km
Clervaux
Luxembourg - 70 km
The Family of Man, Clervaux Castle
HistoryClervaux, LuxembourgEdward Steichen’s 1955 photography exhibition of 503 pictures, listed as UNESCO Memory of the World, shown in the rebuilt castle above Clervaux. It closes for part of the winter and on some weekdays, so check before you go; parking in the town below.
- 823 km
Vianden
Luxembourg
FAQs
How long is Luxembourg’s Ardennes: Bourscheid, Upper Sûre and Clervaux?
2-day road trip of about 109 km (67 mi) with 8 stops, from Luxembourg to Vianden. About 1 h 30 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Luxembourg’s Ardennes: Bourscheid, Upper Sûre and Clervaux?
We suggest 2 days: about 1 h 30 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Luxembourg’s Ardennes: Bourscheid, Upper Sûre and Clervaux start and end?
It starts in Luxembourg and ends in Vianden.
Which countries does Luxembourg’s Ardennes: Bourscheid, Upper Sûre and Clervaux pass through?
Luxembourg.
