Chilly's Journal - Stage 5

Chilly's Journal Volume5

Author:ChillytheBunitt

MINETT TRAIL MINETT TRAIL

Year:2023

Origin: Minett Trail

The Minett Trail was at first just an idea. The "Minett UNESCO Biosphere" wanted a regional trail connecting it's cities, hubs, historical and natural sites.

Work for this trail started in 2017

Walk through former opencast mines and discover the industrial past! Witness how nature has reclaimed its former territory!

The Minett Trail is a 90km long trail that expands its wings all across the south of Luxembourg. Due to its enormous length the trail is split into 10 stages which can be explored individually.

More info: https://www.minetttrail.lu/

The stages are rated with a difficulty. Are we in a video game now? If so GAME ON

Easy = great for beginners and families.

Medium = great for occasional hikers and it includes narrow pathways and stairs.

Hard = only sporty hikers or people with good physical fitness should tackle these routes.

Sidenote: Unfortunately, not all the stages are barrier-free.

POW

Promotion and education of the southern region in Luxembourg.

Minett Trail: Esch-sûr-Alzette - Tétange

Distance: 11,86 km

Duration: 3:25 h

Difficulty: medium

Highlights:

Déierepark, Escher Bamhauscafé, Ellergronn, National Miners Monument

Esch-sur-Alzette is known for the Gaalgebierg and it is the the country's second biggest city.

According to the map...

Esch looks as artistic as usual, but I will focus on the big L shape bridge and...

Yes, this will be a longer trail. Evil!?

Judging Time

Since I refuse to take the elevator I will take the stairs.

All elevators are evil. No one can tell me otherwise.

The old champion Chilly, has returned!

At the top I can gaze upon my reward...

It's not as astonishing as I hoped it to be, but I think for the start it is alright.

I do not like the sky though. It looks grumpy

Alright, that's the sign we have to follow

Everywhere I go, there is something to look at, whether it's the monument I just passed or the Seven Hotel with its adorable park.

Currently, the downside is that the Gaalgebierg is quite steep. It's always uphill, and I can feel myself getting tired.

Uff I need a break...

This old structure must have been there for a while. I'm not certain what it is, but it looks rather inviting as a resting spot.

Sorry for laughing, but who came up with this idea? Why is this here? Who placed it here?

No matter I cannot stop grinning like an little bunny.

Hii

Hii

I wonder...

How old is this monument.

Chilly's note: This monuments says: In honor of the valiant resistance fighters who in 1944 saved the lives of 25 patriots who had taken refuge from the Nazi in a bunker in the "Eisekaul" mine.

This is from the Second World War! Crazy!

There is a monument here as well?

Escher Déierepark

Chilly's note:

This photo I took is an utter failure, but the sign says "Escher Déierepark." Hold on a second, I'll fix this!

Hold my carrots! These things make me nervous. They're kind of freaky, almost like aliens. But somehow they remind me of Hawaii.

Ohhh! Look at those!!!

I've never seen such benches before, but I want them all in my garden.

This is the sign towards the Escher Déierepark.

The animal park has a treehouse that serves both as a café and a snack counter.

Info: https://bamhaiser.esch.lu/en/home/

Fun fact:

Did you know that you can book a room in those tree houses (rooms for 4-6 people)

Chilly's note: Now, that I see it on the picture, it looks to me like a weird castle or a witch's house.

The Animal Park is filled with animals that I have never seen this close in person. Not going to lie, they all look adorable, and I want to give each of them nicknames.

The treehouse

Unfortunately, every good time comes eventually to an end. Leaving the park leaves a somewhat bitter aftertaste, but my adventure must go on!

A fireplace just so happens to greet me on my journey. I do feel a bit vulnerable and uneasy here. It's a bit muddy, and I can hear some noises from the bushes. I'm not about to get caught by some hunters! The mere imagination gives me goosebumps.

Downhill we go!

The wind gets stronger, and it seems as if the sun officially resigned for the day.

Furthermore, it's funny how I always stray from the path and end up on a mountain bike lane. Little did I know that in this lane, I would come across this...

Yes! Time for my vacation!

I am not entirely sure what this is supposed to represent, but it is rather close to the fireplace. It must be one of those weird voodoo stuff things. Let's get out of here!

Look at these clouds! I think going on a hike today was a bad idea...

Fun fact:

Did you know that the word Buggy is a universal term and it is used today rather often. Think of a computer that has a bug. This in-term means it is a buggy computer.

BUGGY!

Chilly's note:

Every single time I see these mine carts/buggies I want to race it down. That would be so cool!

Am ZECHENHAUS a great place to eat and chill about. I can only recommend it.

Chilly's note: The board upon the viewpoint was way too big to get it on one photo. So...this is the best thing I could do.

"Ellergronn" is a nature and forest center situated within the restored buildings of the former Cockerill mine. It shares the site with the Entente Mine Cockerill and features a forestry center, industrial halls, and a forestry workshop.

The center offers a diverse program, including permanent exhibitions on the natural heritage of the mining basin and the exploitation of former mines, along with temporary exhibitions. Additionally, visitors can find the café-restaurant "An der Schmëdd" on the site.

Now to the museums! Let's see how much I will remember after this visit.

This is the end of the Museum and I must say my head is feeling like a balloon.

Chilly's note: I only put the most interesting pictures in this journal, otherwise it would only be about the museum.

The most interesting part for me personally was the mine itself and sitting inside of one of those tiny trains. Nature reserve "Ellergronn"

What a beauty. Can you imagine that this pond exists due to a collapsed mine under it. Ellergronn had an active part in the mining history. Even today, the mine influences nature and its surroundings.

Stay on the trail!

The reason: Imagine a mine like a sponge or Swiss cheese. There are so many holes in the ground that the risk of falling in is high!

Chilly's note: Don't drink water from these ponds. The reason for this is, that the water cannot be filtered naturally and hence there is a lot of space for bacteria to grow. In other words: you will most likely get sick from the water.

Let me out !

Have I seen the sky?

Do I like it?

Do I want to get out of here?

Why?

Yes.

No... Yes

Because I am scared.

Trees bend in weird ways. Branches fall on me.

I am wet from the rain. And the wind blows me away.

Help! Help!

It's over.

I will be crushed by a tree and find my peace...

A Chilly pancake deluxe with wood scent doesn't that sound like a pawfull idea.

Just get me out of here. I AM SICK OF TREES!

Ironic, isn't it that I want to visit a monument, considering I could get one any damn time!

Chilly's note: Sorry for my aggressive behaviour, but it is healthy to express emotions and at the moment I do feel like raging around.

Oh would you look at that. The forest wants to have mercy on me. It can shove it up its branch in all honesty. Even if the weather looks nice, the strong wind is still there and behind me I can see grey clouds again. NO ONE FOOLS ME HERE!

I'm so tilted

AHA! The weather tries to fool me! Oh, it chose to wrong bunny to fight against! En garde, clouds I will win:

Chill Dude I am a cloud

Chilly's note: This leads to the nature reserve Léiffrächen. I mention it because up there, you can find some fruit trees, and it is allowed to harvest fruits from those trees. You'll notice a yellow ribbon and a sign that indicates this permission.

By the way, to follow my trail, I had to cross a street where cars can drive at 90km/h. Take a moment to let that number sink in.

It looks sweet and innocent at first, but It ISN'T. It starts of rather simple. A path and a big track with not much going on, until the arrow tells me to make a sharp right turn.

Welcome to the biker track I've never asked for...

If you slip here you won't get up again. :)

Rain! Rain! Rain everywhere I go. How humble of you rain... How nice of you to turn the path into a little muddy show. Thank you...(End my suffering)

Falling nearly twice over my own paws I've noticed something...

In the distance, lies an abandoned house...

What my brain sees:

HELLO HELLO HELLO THERE THERE THERE

No, get away from me !!

This is a perfect hiding spot if you ask me. Luckily, no one was inside. Maybe a ghost could rent that house.

Is this what I think it is?

Yes! It is an outskirt of town. Finally! Some good news, but what town is it?

Chilly's note: As it turns out, this outskirt belongs to the town of Kayl, and so does the monument.

All the way up... I have to admit, this hill is quite challenging even for me.

good news: there are a lot of benches to rest on.

During my ascent, I come across stone formations that have a candle in the middle. Some of them are lit, others are not.

Chilly's note: I am not a fan of lighting candles so close to the forest.

If my math is right, which it always is, I find 4 more of them as I hike up the mountain. The most fascinating thing about it is that inside the structure is an image that changes every time.

This is the tower of the National Miners' Monument.

I swear, even the tower wants to be dramatic today.

Chilly's note: Please be extremely respectful of this place. We owe a lot to these people and if you knew how young some of them were when they died, it would honestly shock you.

Its was built in 1957. Its purpose is to honour and pay special respect to the victims of mining. (The country owed its wealth in the early 20th century to these brave people.) In 1978 it was officially recognised as a national monument for all miners.

My tour around the monument feels strange. The atmosphere is like that of a cemetery. It is so quiet up here and the view is amazing. I enjoy it very much.

Everything seems to go smoothly now, only 1.8 km to Tétange Gare. Let's get this stage done!

The path leads me to a building that is locked up. It seems to be a small memorial church. (I took a little peak inside).

During this little path here I come across a man who had a lit cigarette in his mouth. Why does he smoke here? This is dangerous and utterly disrespectful to the animals that live here. Some people really have no brain.

Try me!

Stop it or else!

In 1880 Mathias Hubert opened a shoe manufactory and repair shop in his house

In 1964, the Hubert family left the country. The slow end of the Schungfabrik and the "Téitenger Schong" begins.

Two years later the factory went bankrupt, but the municipality bought it in 1980

The Schungfabrik was reopened as a cultural centre in 1990.

In 2021 a new Museum "Musée Ferrum" complements the premises of the old building.

Conclusion: Minett Trail: Esch-sur-Alzette - Tétange Gare

This section is ideal for hikers and sports enthusiasts. For families, I recommend following the path as far as the "Ellergronn" nature reserve. Furthermore, the path is not accessible to people with reduced mobility!

Additional Info:

Time: It took me around 4 hours and 03 minutes to complete. My time deviates from the average 3 hour and 25 minutes, due to my photos and multiple breaks. (I always exclude my arrival and departure on public transport)

Travel with Public Transport: Train (Esch-sur-Alzette Gare) and bus (TICE lines 1, 3, 13, 14, etc..there are too many)

Important app: https://www.mobiliteit.lu/en/ (Public transport)

Cultural: Great, this stage includes the "Ellergronn" nature reserve and is packed with history. If you're interested in mining and want to gain a better understanding of Luxembourg's history, this is definitely the stage for you.

Path: Walk in the park, everyone who has working legs can walk this trail. There are also a lot of benches to sit on.

Accessibility:

It is possible to do this stage on a mountain bike, but it is not recommended and I would leave this stage to experienced mountain bikers.

Last note: Never, hike a trail during bad weather or more precise by predicted storm. Always look up the weather first. Don't be like me.