Martelange: Forest, Trails and Slate History

Martelange combines the landscape of the Sûre with the Forêt d’Anlier and a remarkable history of trails, slate mining and regional mobility. The town lies in a loop of the Sûre on the edge of the forest, making it a suitable base for a variety of holiday activities: you can visit an exhibition, discover traces of the past or set out on a longer route on foot or by bicycle. When choosing your holiday apartment, it is therefore worth first considering which of these aspects of Martelange is particularly important to your travel group.

Between Forest Landscape and Cycle Routes

Those who want to explore the surrounding area by bicycle can join the EV5 in Martelange. Via this connection, you can reach the national cycle network of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in the direction of Redange, Arlon or Luxembourg City. In addition, the RAVeL route of the former vicinal line 618 runs via Salvacourt, Hompré, the Étangs de la Strange, Hollange, Strainchamps, Bodange, Wisembach and Radelange to Martelange. The route’s historical origin remains a distinct part of its identity.

Walks with Different Themes

Martelange can also be explored on foot via several themed walks. The Promenade des Romains leads through the Forêt d’Anlier and passes the site of a former Roman road. It thus combines an experience of nature with a specific historical reference, without suggesting that the Roman road remains today as a preserved transport route.

The Promenade de l’œil qui chante begins in Martelange and follows a forest path to Radelange. It then continues along the “chemin des chèvres” to near the N4 and returns via La Hardt hill; the route is 6.7 km long. This precise route helps you plan a suitable day if your travel group prefers a clearly defined circuit. The Promenade des Souvenirs - court, on the other hand, focuses on the history of slate mining in Martelange and follows the traces of the former vicinal tram connection from Arlon to Bastogne.

Local History and the Maison du Parc

In the centre, old middle-class and workers’ houses line Martelange’s steep streets. They give the townscape a historic character that complements the landscape experiences outside the centre. An important point of interest is Ancien moulin Kuborn. The complex consists of a residential building and an operational building from the 18th century, as well as a later extension. Today, Ancien moulin Kuborn houses the Maison du Parc naturel Haute-Sûre Forêt d’Anlier and Martelange’s tourist office.

The interpretation centre in the Maison du Parc has three exhibition rooms. Educational panels, films, models, as well as audio and visual presentations provide different ways of discovering the surrounding area. This is particularly helpful if you do not want to plan your stay exclusively around outdoor activities or if you want to bring together different interests when planning your days.

Martelange as a Holiday Base

Martelange can be reached via the Nationale 4 from Arlon or Bastogne. Travellers from the north can leave the E411 motorway at exit 28 near Léglise and reach Martelange through the Forêt d’Anlier. Which excursions you combine depends on your own preferences and your planned daily schedule.

You can find further destinations in the same parent section here: Harre, Marcourt, Soy, Bertogne, Geilich, Hotton, Sainte-Ode and Neufchâteau.

To the higher-level travel overview: Luxembourg.