11,000 fans take a hike with Laurent
Followed and liked by more than 11,000 people, the Facebook page Hiking in Luxembourg proved to be a popular site during lockdown, and continues to be a source of inspiration during the pandemic.
Teacher Laurent Jacquemart started the page in 2016. “I was inspired by a friend who took the challenge to walk all the 201 tours in the Luxembourg circular walk book in one year. I decided to follow in his footsteps, but I wanted to share my experiences with people and sensitise them to the beautiful hiking tours,” he says.
Passionate about earth sciences, ecology and photography, Jacquemart believes that hiking is a great way to experience all these things together.
Jacquemart spent his childhood and youth in the south-western corner of the Grand Duchy and currently lives in Hobscheid. Luxembourg offers a large variety of landscapes and nature, he thinks, given its modest surface area of only 2,586km².
Regional variations
“In the north, there is the rough Éislek region with its high plateaus and deep-cut, thickly-wooded river valleys. The Guttland in the west is a green world of gently rolling hills laced with meandering rivers. The urbanised Red Rock region in the south and southwest is marked by two centuries of iron-ore mining,” he said.
“In the east there is the gorgeous Moselle valley, Luxembourg’s wine-growing region, a traditional man-made world of vineyards and charming vintner’s villages,” he said, adding: “Finally, we have the spectacular Mullerthal with its fairy-tale world of fissured sandstone formations, mysterious and mossy forests and babbling streams.”
He is keen to point out that from a geological, ecological and cultural point of view, each of these regions has its own particular identity and that there is a “whole maze of well-marked hikes to discover the different regions, covering the whole country, from easy and short one-hour tours, to hard and challenging trails".
Historical details
Jacquemart’s posts also include historical details of centuries old chapels or Roman ruins. For example, on the Buschdorf walk which ascends the Helperknapp Hill, he gives some background on the small chapel and statue in honour of St Willibrord, and also tells hikers that this was a Gallo-Roman site and a place of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages.
“I’m quite a curious person and very interested in history and culture. I love to read, so I own a large choice of books dealing with these things. Some of the historical details also come from the information panels you find along some of the walks,” he says.
He believes that now, more than ever, hiking contributes to a healthy and balanced way of life, quoting naturalist and environmental philosopher, John Muir to explain in words how he views hiking: “And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul”.
“That’s what it’s about. Spend time outdoors, feel free, move around, breathe deeply, open your eyes and enjoy nature,” he says.
He’s taken his love of nature and hiking a step further, as a striking element to the online hikes he covers is the beautiful photography. “The camera helps me ‘translate’ my feelings and experiences into a picture. On a hike, I delve into the lights and shadows, the colours and contrasts, shapes and landforms, vegetation, the sky and the clouds,” he elucidates.
Our and Upper Sûre nature parks
When questioned on his favourite walking routes in Luxembourg, Jacquemart says he finds it hard to choose: “Every region has its own charming sights, history and scenery, and its specialities. I must admit that I particularly like hiking in the Our and Upper Sûre nature parks. I love the remoteness, the unspoilt nature, the calm and beauty of these areas. The hikes are also challenging due to the rough topography, but worth every drop of sweat, for each time you stand high above the valley floor gazing at the breath-taking view.”
Jacquemart’s talent for describing the various circular walks and hikes in the Grand Duchy, coupled with photography, historical snippets and useful information such as where to park your car, how long each walk will take in hours and minutes, and where to get details of planned hunting on certain routes, have earned him a large and growing following in Luxembourg. One which has undoubtedly increased as a result of the restrictions and safety measures required due to the current pandemic.
“Hiking makes you more conscious of the things surrounding you while you are walking. It opens your eyes and your mind, sharpens you senses, and you look at things more intensely than in everyday life.”
More information
You can view all Jacquemart’s posts, each covering a different walk, on his Facebook page, Hiking in Luxembourg. To see more of his photography of Luxembourg’s nature, check the hiking_in_luxembourg Instagram page.
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