Luxembourg’s accessible ‘Comfort Hiking Trails’
There are countless everyday obstacles to overcome when you have limited mobility. Every outing is a challenge for someone in a wheelchair. That’s why Luxembourg’s accessible ‘Komfort-Wanderwege’ (Comfort Hiking Trails) are such an important initiative. Three friends recently put two of these routes to the test.
The sound of laughter echoes through the woods. Wheels whirr, squeak and rattle over the uneven ground. Around the corner come two men moving at impressive speed. But they’re not on mountain bikes… no, they’re in wheelchairs.
“We’re covering ground faster than you are!” they shout, gleefully laughing as gravel sprays from their tyres. Joël Wagener and Luis Gonçales are exploring the Comfort Hiking Trail in Redange today. Their approach may be faster than most visitors, but they are clearly having fun. In fact, adventure trail seems a more fitting word as they fly along the path at speed.
The Redange/Attert trail is one of several routes designed to be as accessible as possible. With no steps, gentle gradients and easy access throughout, it is suitable for wheelchair users, people with limited mobility, older visitors and even families with young children. While Joël and Luis zip around the bend, it is equally enjoyable for anyone seeking a peaceful stroll through nature.
Life turned upside down
At the trailhead, the two athletes meet Chris Scheier from the Comité National de Défense Sociale, who is installing some of the final signs. Luis is particularly proud of the project. “It’s amazing that we produced these signs at our company,” he says. for Luis, accessible trails have a special meaning. A motorbike accident changed his life in an instant. Suddenly, the active father found himself relying on others for support. “I had no idea about all the obstacles I would end up facing.”
Joël understands exactly what he means. He began using a wheelchair after a workplace accident. “Everything changes,” he says. “Work, the things you can do and the plans you can make with friends. The ground is quite literally pulled out from under your feet.” Even simple social plans become complicated. A night out with friends? You’ll need to go to an accessible restaurant or bar with a disabled toilet otherwise you won’t be able to enjoy the evening at all.
The Redange/Attert route is a 2.1-kilometre loop that includes an accessible toilet at the start. It winds through the Hounig forest and leads to a peaceful pond with a wooden viewing platform. The two men roll up the ramp onto the platform - Luis in his traditional wheelchair and Jöel in his slightly sportier model with red spokes. “Of course you can customise!” he says with a grin.
