Luxembourg’s “Little Switzerland”

There were basically two reasons why we visited Luxembourg. The first was to simply say that we did, adding yet another country to the list of countries that we have been blessed to be able to visit around the world. We thought we’d likely never get through this corner of Europe again, so we just had to stop.

The second reason is for the hiking. Not that we needed to put in more miles after the 200 miles we hiked weeks earlier in England. But, because of the lure of the Mullerthal Trail and advertisements that this corner of Luxembourg is billed as its “Little Switzerland,” well, we just had to come. 

Interesting as well was the fact that the main town in the region, Echternacht, is snug up against the border with Germany. Founded in the year 687, much of it has since been burned, sacked, destroyed and rebuilt over the centuries. But, to this day, it exudes an old-world charm unlike some of the more modern villages in the region.

 

The Sure River separates Luxembourg to the left and Germany to the right.

The hiking? Well, it’s fabulous. The Mullerthal Trail is the principal trail in the area. It is divided into three different loops of varying distances each requiring multiple days to hike all of its miles. Other minor trails are everywhere. They crisscross, intersect, and meet up to share the same route as the Mullerthal for certain distances before splitting away from one another back to their own unique course.

 

These geese were the size of sheep. 

At one point, one of the tertiary trails of the Camino de Compostela, the famed pilgrimage trail marked by the yellow scallop shell on a blue background and that finishes in northwest Spain, makes its way through Echternacht. We can now say we hiked portions of the Camino in Spain, France, and now, Luxembourg.

If you are from Illinois in the U.S. and are familiar with some of its notable state parks, you’ll appreciate this description of what it is like to hike in this area: But for the hills, the geography and geology of this region through which the trails traverse are similar to what you could imagine if you were to combine Starved Rock and Giant City State Parks and then put them on a super dose of steroids. Creek valleys, sandstone rock formations, and deep forests are hallmarks of the area.

See next photo for a description of this monument.

This was carved and painted on one of the sandstone formations. 

  

Wonderful hiking, old-world villages, and a cultural experience unlike anywhere else in Europe – these are all reasons why a visit to this corner of Luxembourg is highly recommended.