Schiessentümpel Waterfall (Route 2-3)
© Shutterstock / Miguel Soutullo
Mullerthal Trail (Route 2)
Mullerthal Trail
Mullerthal Trail
Mullerthal Trail
Mullerthal Trail
Hohllay Cave (Huel Lee), Route 2
Mullerthal Trail
Perekop (Route 2)
Paulsplatte Viewpoint (Route 2)
HIKING
The Mullerthal Trail is the hike that shows you why the Mullerthal Region is called “Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland.” You don’t come here for one big mountain or one famous viewpoint. You come for a whole day of small “wow” moments: mossy rocks that look like a fairytale set, narrow gorges with stone steps, quiet forests with streams, and little towns where you can end your walk with a coffee or a local meal.
What makes the trail special is how much variety you get in a short distance. One moment you are walking on a soft forest path, and a few minutes later you are between tall sandstone walls. Even if you are not a serious hiker, you can still enjoy the best parts. Many highlights are easy to reach by car + a short walk, so you can still visit the most famous spots even if you don’t want a long hike.
If it’s your first visit, this guide helps you choose the right route, find the top highlights, and pick the best “short hike” if you only have about an hour.
The Mullerthal Trail is the best-known long-distance hiking trail in Luxembourg. It is about 112 km in total and is divided into three main loop routes (Route 1, Route 2, and Route 3). Each route has its own feel, so you can choose the one that matches your time and interests.
There are also additional official routes in the region (shorter options included). For the full list, use the official Mullerthal Trail website.
You can walk through rocky corridors, climb short staircases, and explore gorges, without needing special skills.
Forests, sandstone rocks, streams, small bridges, and open viewpoints all appear on the same day.
Towns like Echternach add history, food, and a relaxed travel vibe, not just hiking.
Use the map below to explore Routes 1–3, with pinned highlights and the nearest parking spots. The route lines follow the official trail, but in forest sections the path can twist a lot—so use the map as a guide and simply follow the trail markings on the ground. For precise GPX/KML coordinates, use the official route links in each section below.
Now that you’ve seen the map, let’s go through each route in more detail—what it feels like, the main highlights, and what’s realistic for a first-time visitor.
Official route facts: Full loop distance 36.7 km • Official time estimate 10h25 (plan roughly 10–12 hours, depending on pace and photo stops) • Highest elevation 390 m.
Official start/finish: Echternach (Basilica area) (it’s a loop, so you finish where you start).
Difficulty: long but steady—more about endurance than technical terrain.
Route 1 is a great “first route” if you want a balanced day: forest paths, open countryside, and a strong travel vibe at the start and end. The route is closely connected to Echternach, so it’s easy to combine hiking with a historic old town, cafés, and a relaxed lakeside break.
Along the way you’ll pass quiet stretches of countryside and forest, with wide valley views and small villages that feel very “local Luxembourg.” One of the cultural highlights on this route is Rosport’s Tudor Castle. Another memorable stop is the Girsterklaus chapel, known for its viewpoint feeling. The best parts you can’t get by car are the long, peaceful transitions between villages—the sections where the landscape slowly changes from river valley to forest to open fields.
By car vs. only on foot: You can drive to Echternach (and nearby stops like Rosport) and do short walks, but the real value of Route 1 is the continuous countryside experience you only get by hiking.
Services tip: Echternach has the most reliable services (shops, cafés, restrooms). Outside the towns and villages, don’t expect toilets or shops in forest stretches—carry water and a snack.
Official Route 1 Website
© Shutterstock / Miguel Soutullo
Official route facts: Full loop distance 39.7 km • Official time estimate 12h50 (plan roughly 12–14 hours, depending on pace and photo stops) • Highest elevation 387 m.
Official start/finish: Echternach (Basilica area) (loop route).
Difficulty: the most demanding route for many first-timers—rocky terrain, stairs, and slow “photo pace.”
Route 2 is the one people picture when they hear “Mullerthal Trail.” It takes you into the heart of the sandstone landscape: narrow rock corridors, gorges, ladders, dramatic viewpoints, and famous photo spots. If your main goal is to see the most iconic scenery, Route 2 is usually the favorite.
Starting in Echternach, you climb up to the Trooskneppchen viewpoint quite early—many hikers find this the hardest section, because it comes right at the beginning. From there, Route 2 delivers highlight after highlight: Wollefsschlucht (the legendary gorge), Perekop (with ladders), Huel Lee (historic rock traces), and the very famous Schéissendëmpel waterfall and bridge. It also includes the Kuelscheier rock passage, which can feel narrow and dark (a phone light helps).
If you want to avoid the toughest early climb, it’s a good idea to leave your car at Trooskneppchen Parking and start from there—because Route 2 is a loop, you’ll still return to the same place at the end.
By car vs. only on foot: You can reach several highlights by car + short walk (Trooskneppchen viewpoint area, Berdorf, Müllerthal village, and the Schéissendëmpel parking area). But the most unforgettable parts—the gorges and rock passages—only make sense on foot.
Services tip: Echternach is the strongest base for food and supplies. On the route, villages like Berdorf, Müllerthal, and Consdorf are your best “service checkpoints.” Between them, plan as if there are no services.
Official Route 2 Website
Official route facts: Full loop distance 37.7 km • Official time estimate 11h05 (plan roughly 11–13 hours, depending on pace and photo stops) • Highest elevation 420 m.
Official start/finish: Müllerthal village (loop route).
Difficulty: long-distance day with varied terrain—valleys, some climbs, and viewpoints.
Route 3 feels more “storybook” than the others. It blends stream valleys, forest paths, and castle scenery, so it’s perfect if you want nature with a strong cultural layer. You get a calmer rhythm: water sounds, shaded forest, and then a castle town atmosphere that makes the day feel like travel, not just hiking.
Highlights include the romantic valley feeling near Halerbaach, the castle atmosphere at Beaufort Castle, and the dramatic skyline of Larochette Castle ruins above the town. One of the most special nature moments is the long wooden footbridge leading to the Kallektuff spring, a mossy, photo-friendly spot that feels hidden. Depending on how you walk it, Route 3 can also bring you near the Schéissendëmpel area again, which is a nice bonus if it’s your first time in the region.
By car vs. only on foot: You can visit Beaufort and Larochette by car easily, but Route 3’s magic is in the stream valleys and connecting trails—the parts you can’t experience from viewpoints or parking spots.
Services tip: Villages like Beaufort and Larochette are your easiest places for food, restrooms, and breaks. Between villages, it’s mostly nature—pack what you need.
Official Route 3 Website
If you only have about one hour, the best choice for “maximum impact” is a short walk around Schéissendëmpel. It is one of the most famous photo spots on the Mullerthal Trail, with a small waterfall and a stone bridge in a classic forest setting. The area also gives you a quick taste of the region’s streams, rocks, and shaded paths.
You can reach it by car and park nearby. For a simple first-timer plan, do an out-and-back: walk from the parking area to the waterfall and bridge (your main photo stop), then continue along the stream for about 10–15 minutes to enjoy more quiet forest scenery and rocky edges. Turn around and return the same way. It’s not a steep hike—more gentle ups and downs—so it’s ideal if you want a beautiful short walk without a big climb.
Why this is the best short hike:
Echternach is one of the best places to stay if it’s your first time. It has a real “small town holiday” vibe, with a historic center, cafés, and easy access to trail sections. Even if you don’t hike all day, Echternach still feels like a trip.
Best base for: Route 1 and Route 2 (official start area + strongest services)
If your main goal is rocky landscapes and short scenic hikes, Berdorf is a smart base. You are close to many of the classic “rock and gorge” moments.
Best base for: Route 2 (rock highlights + useful mid-route stop)
These areas feel more rural and calm, with a strong “sleep in nature, hike in the morning” atmosphere.
Best base for: Route 3 (castles, valleys, and the Müllerthal hub)
The easiest hub is Luxembourg City, then continue by car or bus into the Mullerthal Region.
The trail is free to hike.
Wayfinding is clear on the official routes, but it’s still smart to carry an offline map for peace of mind.
Wear hiking shoes with good grip. Many paths can be slippery after rain because of stone, roots, and wet leaves.
Even short distances can take longer than expected in rocky sections, because you naturally slow down to enjoy the scenery (and take photos).
Bring water and a snack, especially outside peak season or if you hike between villages.
Spring to autumn is ideal for green forests and comfortable temperatures.
Some rocky passages can be narrow and dark. Take your time, and avoid rushing if the ground is wet.
Many hikers split it over several days. A common approach is to do one route per day, or break each route into shorter stages.
No, but a car makes it easier to mix trail sections and nearby attractions in one day. Without a car, staying in Echternach is often the simplest plan.
Yes, if you choose shorter sections and avoid the tightest rock corridors with very small kids. Many highlights are reachable with easy walks.
You can, but conditions can be slippery and daylight is short. Choose simpler paths and check local conditions before you go.
Use the official Mullerthal Trail website for the newest information, including any temporary changes.
