The Mullerthal and Little Switzerland

The Mullerthal region in eastern Luxembourg, nicknamed Little Switzerland for its dramatic, hilly greenery, is a magical landscape of dense forest, deep wooded ravines and extraordinary rock formations. Over aeons, water has sculpted the soft sandstone into towering mossy cliffs, narrow crevices, caves and tumbling streams. The renowned Mullerthal Trail winds for over a hundred kilometres through this enchanting terrain, past waterfalls, rock labyrinths and the historic abbey town of Echternach, offering some of the finest and most atmospheric walking in the region.

What's there

• The rock formations - the mossy sandstone cliffs, crevices and caves.
• The Mullerthal Trail - the celebrated long-distance walking route.
• The Schiessentümpel - the picturesque triple-arched waterfall.
• Echternach - the ancient abbey town and its basilica.

When to go

April to October, for the lushest greenery and best walking conditions, with autumn bringing beautiful colour to the forests; the mossy rocks and streams are at their most atmospheric after rain, though paths can be slippery. Spring and early summer are ideal for the trails.

What to expect

It is a place of gentle, green natural beauty and walking rather than grand mountain drama, so the Little Switzerland name oversells the scale; there are no alps here, but rather charming forested ravines and curious rocks. That said, for lovers of walking, woodland and quiet nature, the Mullerthal is genuinely lovely, and its well-marked trails and rock scenery are among Luxembourg's finest attractions.

Nearby

The town of Echternach, the Moselle valley and Vianden are within reach.