The Mullerthal: Luxembourg's Little Switzerland

Why go

The Mullerthal is the reason many people come back to Luxembourg. Within minutes of leaving a village, trails drop into chasms between sheer rock walls, climb ladders and stairs, and cross streams on stepping stones. The scenery is dramatic but the distances are modest, so families and casual walkers can enjoy it as much as serious hikers.

Echternach

Echternach grew up around an abbey founded by Saint Willibrord, an English monk, around 700. His tomb lies in the crypt of the **Basilica of Saint Willibrord**, the country's most important pilgrimage church. The medieval market square, lined with arcaded houses and terrace cafés, is a lovely place to start or finish a hike.

Every Whit Tuesday, the town hosts the **Hopping Procession**, a dancing procession in honour of the saint listed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. Thousands of dancers hop through the streets to a simple tune.

Other easy sights include the **Echternach Lake**, with a walking loop and playground, and the excavated **Roman villa** beside it.

The Mullerthal Trail

The **Mullerthal Trail** is a long-distance trail divided into three main routes plus extra loops. You can walk short sections for a few hours or link them over several days. Highlights include:

• **Wolf's Gorge** (Wolfsschlucht), a narrow cleft reached from Echternach.
• **Schiessentümpel**, a small waterfall with a stone bridge, the region's most photographed spot.
• **Hohllay**, a huge cave quarried by hand for millstones near Berdorf.
• **Perekop** and other rock passages near Berdorf where you squeeze between towering stone.

The tourist office at Heringer Millen, a restored mill, has maps and local products.

Castles and villages

**Beaufort** has two castles side by side: a medieval ruin and a Renaissance residence. A local blackcurrant liqueur called Cassero is made there. **Larochette** has romantic ruins on a cliff above the village. **Berdorf** is the climbing capital, with sandstone routes from beginner to expert.

Getting there and around

Regional buses run from Luxembourg City to Echternach and on to the villages. Services are free, but they can be infrequent on Sundays, so check timetables before heading out on a trail. Many hikers walk from one village and catch a bus back.

Where to stay

Echternach has the widest choice, from a youth hostel beside the lake to spa hotels and family guesthouses. Smaller villages like Berdorf and Beaufort have campsites and inns that suit hikers who want an early start.

Practical tips

Wear proper walking shoes: the rocks can be slippery after rain, and some paths have stairs and narrow passages. Carry water and a paper or offline map, as phone signal can be patchy in the gorges. Spring and autumn are beautiful and quieter than mid-summer weekends.

A sample day

Take a morning bus to Echternach and visit the basilica and market square. Walk up to Wolf's Gorge, then follow the trail through the rock passages towards Berdorf, stopping at the Hohllay cave. Catch a bus to the Heringer Millen for the Schiessentümpel waterfall before heading back to the capital or to your hotel in Echternach.

Climbing and other activities

Berdorf's sandstone walls attract climbers from across Europe. Climbing is only allowed in marked areas to protect the fragile rock, so check local rules first. The region also has mountain bike routes, a lake at Echternach for pedal boats and gentle cycle paths along the Sûre river on the German border.