A few years ago, my friend and I decided to take a road trip. We only had a week, so there was bound to be something soon. This made me think of a previous holiday I took with my parents: at the Hotel Mullerthal in Luxembourg, also known as Little Switzerland. I remembered the long walks and the beautiful rock formations. Our road trip took us through some beautiful places in the nature reserve. It was still as green as I remembered.
Müllerthal or Little Switzerland?
Well, let's be honest. If you've ever been to Switzerland, you won't easily be able to compare it to the Hotel Mullerthal in Luxembourg. There are no snow-capped mountain peaks, bright blue mountain lakes or massive waterfalls here.
What Little Switzerland does have is a good network of hiking trails, caves, rocks and beautiful streams. Climbing along the rocks is what gives Mullerthal its nickname. You wouldn't expect anything like this just a few hours' drive from the Netherlands or across the border between Luxembourg and Belgium.
What are the beautiful walking routes?
You can walk a total distance of 112 kilometers on the Mullerthal Trail, otherwise called the Mullerthal Trail. It consists of three loops that lead you through the area. They're related to each other, but that doesn't mean you have to go through all of them. You can do it in parts or choose one of the smaller local trails. All routes through the park are well marked, so you will always find your way back.
Each of the three main routes of the Mullerthal Trail has its own character. Route 1 takes you through the town of Echternach and along the River Sûre. I walked part of the second route with my girlfriend. Sometimes this requires a lot of scrambling and sometimes you have to squeeze between rocks. As far as I'm concerned, it's the highlight of hiking Little Switzerland. The third route is more romantic in nature and takes you through the ruins of two castles, La Rochette and Beaufort.
What should you see in Müllerthal?
One of the famous places in the Luxembourg Nature Reserve is the Schéissendëmpel or Schiessentümpel waterfall. The romantic bridge above completes the picture. But as in many places: the image is more romantic than the reality. The waterfall at Mullerthal is right along the road and you wouldn't have the place to yourself anyway. You will pass this waterfall if you walk on Route 2 or 3 of the Mullerthal Trail. Don't feel like walking far? Then park your car in the parking lot five hundred meters from the waterfall.
The Burg Beaufort castle ruins are definitely worth a visit. We visited it not on foot, but by car. The towers in the ruins offer beautiful views. The castle is located on a rock 35 meters high above the village of the same name. I can unleash my morbid interests in the torture chamber.
Nearby landmarks
Would you like to see a castle in Luxembourg that is still completely intact? About half an hour from Mullerthal you'll find the romantic Vianden Castle rising above the pretty village. You can walk there, but it's a steep climb. I took the elevator. From your comfortable chair you can enjoy a beautiful view of the castle and the village itself.
Rolene is a freelance science journalist. She contributes to National Geographic and KIJK magazine, among others. She loves travel, religious history, and brisk walking.
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