The Moselle forms a natural corridor between Luxembourg, Thionville and Metz, crossed by several of eastern France’s long-distance trails. The Thionville–Metz area suits long-distance walkers on the GR trails, families looking for woodland loops and active seniors after flat riverside paths. This article covers the GR routes, Club Vosgien trails and day loops from our bases in Garche, Thionville and Metz.
Thionville–Metz, a long-distance hiking crossroads
Set on the Moselle halfway between Metz and Luxembourg, the Thionville area makes an ideal starting point. The valley channels several long-distance hiking routes, with roughly 467 km of waymarked GR trails across the Moselle department. Hikers can combine a GR stage in the morning, a visit to a medieval town at midday and a woodland loop in the afternoon without covering long distances. The terrain stays gentle — the Côtes de Moselle, vineyard slopes and state forests — making the area accessible to experienced hikers and occasional walkers alike.
The GR trails that follow the Moselle valley
Two major trails shape the area:
GR5 (about 196 km within the Moselle): a link in the European E2 route from the North Sea to the Mediterranean, it enters France at Apach, follows the Moselle through Sierck-les-Bains and Metz, then heads east (Vic-sur-Seille, Marsal, Dieuze). Standard waymarking: a white stripe over a red stripe.
GR501: renamed in 2023 (formerly the GR5F) and nicknamed the “Chemin de la Moselle”, it climbs back up the river from the Vosges (Remiremont, Épinal, Toul, Liverdun, Pont-à-Mousson) and ends at Sierck-les-Bains. On the Thionville side, it runs through Yutz and Rombas along the left bank, often on greenway, and is very easy going.
A regional GR de Pays trail, “Entre Côtes de Moselle et Côtes de Meuse”, also spreads across the area. To plan a stage, pick up an FFRandonnée topoguide or an IGN TOP 25 map.
In the footsteps of Saint James: the Moselle, a Camino corridor
The Moselle valley is an old pilgrimage corridor. The Via Coloniensis comes down from Cologne via Trier, follows the Moselle and reaches Metz and then Toul. Today, pilgrims from Germany and the Benelux take the GR5 down the river through Sierck-les-Bains and Metz.
A GR5G route linked to the Camino connections runs through Lorraine (waymarked with a white stripe and a red stripe), but sources disagree on its exact line. Before setting off as a pilgrim, check with the association “Les Amis de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle – Région Lorraine”, which publishes the up-to-date documents. Don’t rely on waymarking alone: cross-check with a map.
The Club Vosgien de Thionville and its 52 waymarked trails
A century-old association, the Club Vosgien de Thionville maintains 52 numbered routes around Thionville, Fontoy, Havange, Yutz, Hayange and neighbouring towns.
Its in-house waymarking is based on coloured geometric symbols (red, blue, green, yellow):
- A disc marks a route of more than half a day
- Rings indicate a route of 2 to 4 hours
Named trails:
- No. 40 Sentier du Nonnenfels
- No. 39 Sentier de Soetrich
- No. 38 (Zoufftgen)
- No. 41 and 42 “Veckring au cœur de la Ligne Maginot”
- No. 47 Sentier de Gavisse
- No. 50 Sentier de la Minette at Volmerange-les-Mines
The areas of Guentrange, Saint-Urbain, Œutrange, le Lérot and Volkrange lie close to our bases. The club runs guided outings on Wednesdays and some Sundays. PDF route sheets and an interactive map are available through the Thionville-Fensch conurbation authority, and printed sheets at the tourist office.
Our day loops from Garche, Cattenom and Thionville
From our rentals in the Garche/Cattenom area, several loops can be done with little or no car use:
- Lake Mirgenbach loop (Cattenom): about 8.2 km, roughly 2 hours, easy-going paths returning to the start. This lake is the power plant’s cooling reservoir; the scenery is unusual but the walk is easy and the atmosphere surprisingly peaceful.
- Garche state forest (Hettange-Grande): a woodland loop of about 9 km under tree cover, ideal for families.
- Maginot Line trail around Cattenom: no real difficulty, between woods and countryside, with its fortified works to discover.
- Fort de Guentrange: above Thionville, a short climb to a fine viewpoint over the valley.
- Sierck-les-Bains: a medieval town overlooked by the castle of the Dukes of Lorraine, a junction of the GR5 and GR501 and the starting point for many loops above the Moselle.
Hiking on the Metz side
About thirty minutes away, Metz offers its natural belvedere: Mont Saint-Quentin (358 m).
The “small loop” is about 9.46 km with +152 m of elevation gain; allow roughly 3 hr 10, rated easy. It overlaps with trail no. 3, “Le tour du Mont Saint-Quentin”, waymarked by the Eurométropole. At the top, there’s a panorama over Metz, the Moselle valley and the vineyard slopes.
For a relaxed outing at the end of the day or with a pushchair, the Metz lake (plan d’eau) offers a flat loop lined with willows, poplars and rose gardens — perfect for stretching your legs without tiring yourself out.
Practical tips and where to drop your bag
Bring an IGN TOP 25 map or a GPS-track app: the Club Vosgien waymarking and the FFRandonnée waymarking coexist, and cross-checking map against ground avoids mistakes.
On Wednesdays, the Club Vosgien outings are a good way in to discover the area with a guide.
Active seniors: go for the flat loops (Metz lake, the greenway along the Moselle, the Mirgenbach loop).
Families: Garche state forest is a classic.
For accommodation, our Garche/Cattenom bases put you at the gateway to the forests, Sierck and the GR trails; our Metz rentals bring you closer to Mont Saint-Quentin.
You book directly on sleepinmoselle.com (secure payment), with self check-in 24/7 — handy for setting off at dawn — fibre wifi and professional cleaning.
Direct-booking guests enjoy:
- Complimentary soft drinks for the group
- Free late check-out (subject to availability)
- A promo code reserved for email subscribers
To recover after the effort, head to L’Instant Bien-Être in Garche, with its hot tub and sauna.
The listings have earned more than 800 Airbnb reviews (Superhost).
Our recommended rentals
- Le Nid des Cigognes (Garche)
- F2 Cattenom (Garche/Cattenom)
- L’Instant Bien-Être / IBE (Garche)
- Studio Bellecroix (Metz)
- Le Grand 8 (central Metz)
Book directly on sleepinmoselle.com: complimentary drinks for your group + free late check-out (subject to availability) + a promo code reserved for our email subscribers. Secure online payment, self check-in 24/7. ⭐ 800+ Airbnb reviews (Superhost).
Frequently asked questions
Which GR trails pass near Thionville and Metz?
Two, mainly. The GR5, along the Moselle, enters at Apach and passes through Sierck-les-Bains and Metz (white-and-red waymarking). The GR501, formerly the GR5F and nicknamed the “Chemin de la Moselle”, climbs back up the river from the Vosges and ends at Sierck-les-Bains, running on the Thionville side through Yutz and Rombas, often on greenway.
How does the Club Vosgien de Thionville work?
It’s a century-old association that maintains 52 waymarked routes around Thionville. Its waymarking uses coloured geometric symbols: a disc for routes of more than half a day, rings for those of 2 to 4 hours. The club runs guided outings on Wednesdays and some Sundays; the route sheets are available at the tourist office and through the Thionville-Fensch conurbation authority.
Can you walk the Camino de Santiago from the Moselle?
The Moselle valley is a historic pilgrimage corridor (the Via Coloniensis, from Trier towards Metz and Toul), and the GR5 is used by pilgrims from Germany and the Benelux. A GR5G route linked to the Camino runs through Lorraine, but its exact line needs checking: ask Les Amis de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle – Région Lorraine before you set off.
Which easy hikes are there for families or seniors?
The Metz lake loop (flat, by the water), Garche state forest (a loop of about 9 km under tree cover) and the Lake Mirgenbach loop at Cattenom (about 8.2 km, easy-going paths) are the most accessible. For a little climbing but a great view, the small Mont Saint-Quentin loop is still rated easy.
Where to stay for hiking in the Thionville–Metz area?
The Garche and Cattenom rentals put you at the gateway to the forests, Sierck-les-Bains and the GR trails; the Metz apartments bring you closer to Mont Saint-Quentin. Book directly on sleepinmoselle.com, with self check-in 24/7 for early starts, and recovery at L’Instant Bien-Être (hot tub + sauna) after your walk.