Echternach · Luxembourg

Echternach and the Mullerthal

The city of São Willibrord, with the basilica and the dancing procession, and the sandstone forests of the Mullerthal, with gorges, rocks and the Schiessentümpel waterfall, cut through by trails.

Mullerthal

In the photo: Hohllay, Mullerthal

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The Mullerthal, in eastern Luxembourg near the border with Germany, is known as Luxembourg's Little Switzerland. The region is covered by forests on a sandstone plateau that water and time have carved into narrow gorges, cliffs, caves and moss-covered rock blocks, with streams like the Ernz Negro running along the bottoms of the valleys.

The gateway is Echternach, on the banks of the Sûre, which developed around the abbey founded in 698 by the Anglo-Saxon monk Willibrord, evangelizer of the Low Countries. The basilica houses the saint's tomb, and every year on Whit Tuesday the town holds the dancing procession, listed by UNESCO as intangible heritage. The market square, with the Dënzelt, an old Gothic courthouse, the narrow streets and the ramparts form the centre.

Around Echternach are the Roman villa, the lake and the trails that climb the garganta do Lobo. Further into the plateau are Berdorf, with the Hohllay rock formations, the village of Müllerthal, with the small Schiessentümpel waterfall, and Beaufort, with two castles side by side. The Mullerthal Trail, with three circuits totaling 112 km, links almost all of this on foot.

Echternach is less than an hour by bus from the capital and can be done as a day trip, but those who want to do the trails usually spend one or two nights in the area.

This destination brings together 1 city: Echternach.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Echternach and the Mullerthal is

Outlines: Administration du cadastre et de la topographie (Luxemburgo), CC0 1.0. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Echternach and the Mullerthal

✈ Aeroporto de Luxemburgo-Findel (LUX), in Findel · 30 km to Echternach

Check before booking. From the capital, buses departing from Kirchberg and the centre reach Echternach in about 45 minutes to 1 hour; there is no train. By car it's about 35 km. Local buses link Echternach with Berdorf, Müllerthal and Beaufort.

Echternach · Echternach and the Mullerthal

Echternach

Echternach lies on the banks of the Sûre, on the border with Germany, and grew up around the abbey founded by São Willibrord in 698. The basilica houses the saint's tomb; the market square has the Dënzelt, an old Gothic courthouse; and the narrow streets lead to the ramparts. It is the gateway to the Mullerthal, with the garganta do Lobo, the lake and the Roman villa a few minutes' walk away.

The local experience

Things to do in Echternach and the Mullerthal

Echternach · Echternach · Church

Basilique Saint-Willibrord (Basílica de São Willibrord)

Romanesque basilica rebuilt after the Second World War, with the crypt where the tomb of São Willibrord is located, founder of the abadia de Echternach in 698. Beside it are the baroque abadia buildings and the abadia museum.

Echternach · Echternach · Archaeological site

Villa romaine d'Echternach (Villa Romana de Echternach)

Ruins of a large 1st-century villa, on the shore of the Lago de Echternach, with the foundations of rooms, baths and courtyards and a pavilion with a reconstruction of the house. Open in season, generally from late March to September.

Echternach · Echternach · Trail

Gorge du Loup (Garganta do Lobo)

Narrow gorge between sandstone cliffs, near the centre of Echternach, on circuit 1 of the Mullerthal Trail. It runs through rock steps, caves and past the Troosknäppchen viewpoint, overlooking the town and the Sûre valley.

Echternach · Echternach · Lake

Lac d'Echternach (Lago de Echternach)

A 30-hectare artificial lake at the entrance to Echternach, surrounded by lawns and woodland, with a pedestrian and cycle path around it, pedal boats in summer and the Roman villa on the shore.

See 3 more places in Echternach and the Mullerthal

Echternach · Echternach · Rock formation

Hohllay

Cave opened in the sandstone of Berdorf by the extraction of millstones, with the cut marks visible on the walls. It is on circuit 1 of the Mullerthal Trail, near other rocks and narrow passages.

Echternach · Echternach · Waterfall

Schiessentümpel

Small cascade on the Ernz Negro, in three drops, with a stone arched bridge just above, near the village of Müllerthal. It is one of the region's most recognised scenes and a passing point on the Mullerthal Trail.

Echternach · Echternach · Castle

Châteaux de Beaufort (Castelos de Beaufort)

Two castles side by side in Beaufort: the ruins of the medieval castle, built between the 11th and 17th centuries, and the Renaissance castle from 1649, visited with a guide and ending with a tasting of the cassis liqueur Cassero.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From April to October, with drier trails and longer days; May and June are usually the greenest months, and October brings autumn colours. Echternach's dancing procession takes place on Whit Tuesday, between May and June. In winter, the trails become wet and slippery, and some sites, like the Roman villa, close.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

One day is enough for Echternach, with the basilica, the square and the garganta do Lobo. Two days include a longer circuit of the Mullerthal Trail, with Berdorf and the Hohllay, and Beaufort Castle. Those who want to do the three circuits of the trail should allow four to six days of walking.

Which city to stay in

Echternach is the main base, with hotels around the market square and on the banks of the Sûre, and buses to the capital and the villages. Berdorf, in the middle of the plateau, has hotels and campsites near the rocks and trails. Beaufort and the village of Müllerthal have smaller accommodations, for those who want to start walking from their doorstep. The region also has many campsites, widely used in summer.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Echternach and the Mullerthal

Can you do Echternach as a day trip from the capital?

Yes. The bus takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour, and one day is enough for the basilica, the square and a short walk through the garganta do Lobo. For the longer trails, it's worth staying overnight in the area.

What is the Mullerthal Trail?

A network of waymarked trails with three main circuits totaling 112 km, plus extra sections, passing through sandstone gorges, forests, streams and villages. You can do parts in a day or the whole thing over several days.

Do I need a car in the Mullerthal?

It's not essential: buses link Echternach with the villages, and the trails start at bus stops. A car helps to combine Beaufort, the Schiessentümpel and Berdorf in the same day. Check the timetables, which are less frequent at weekends.

What footwear to bring for the trails?

Boots or trail shoes with a firm sole: there are stone steps, narrow passages between rocks and wet, slippery sections, especially after rain.

What is the dancing procession of Echternach?

A religious procession held every year on Whit Tuesday in honour of São Willibrord, in which participants cross the town in small hops, holding hands with scarves, to the sound of a traditional melody. It is registered by UNESCO as intangible heritage.

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Echternach and the Mullerthal

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip