Foray into Luxembourg (Part I)

In September 2021, we made the decision to venture beyond our current location in Europe. Our long-held dream was to explore the countries we had only ever encountered in literature and on television. Opting for Luxembourg, we were drawn to its proximity to our residence and the exceptional hiking trails it boasted.

In my view, when it comes to accommodations, smaller towns and villages in Europe offer an unparalleled experience. These places are rich in history and charm, making them fascinating to discover. While opting for centrally located lodgings is usually ideal for convenience, it is equally important to seek out places with character. While amenities like complimentary breakfast are important, factors such as tranquility, historical ambience, and reviews from previous guests should also be taken into consideration.

We use booking.com currently, as it offers a variety of options and perks for the more you use their service. For this trip we chose to stay at Hostellerie de la Vallée. The location was somewhat isolated, provided a fantastic breakfast with a host who spoke multiple languages, and permitted pets, which was perfect for us as we brought along Teddy, our Shorkie and adventure companion.

(Photo from Booking.com)

We didn't have a concrete plan in place. Our intention was to explore a few fantastic local trails, interact with the authentic locals of Luxembourg, and potentially visit the capital city of Luxembourg if we had the time. And we only had 3 days to do it all...including the drive there (about 2.5 hours from Wiesbaden).

The trail that we felt was essential to explore is known as "Durch das Mühlenthal zu den Wasserfällen und Felsen." The Mullerthal, located in the north-east of the country, is characterized by forest massifs intersected by small, meandering waterways, unique habitats with towering sandstone formations, narrow rocky passages, enigmatic caves and gorges, and a rich variety of plant life. This area is often referred to as "Luxembourg's Little Switzerland," a name that aptly describes its picturesque beauty.

The key feature of this trail is the waterfall, pictured below.

The trail details can be found here on AllTrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/luxembourg/grevenmacher--2/durch-das-muhlenthal-zu-den-wasserfallen-und-felsen

Here are some more photos from the trail:

Here I will make a little bit of a declaration: I am way behind on this blog. When we travelled here, it was 2021 and COVID restrictions were still in effect for many places. As such, some of my photos during this trip are out of sequence and some are even now lost. Hopefully I can keep all of this straight. The actual full-length Mullerthal trail is 112 kilometers long, so what you are seeing here are but a fraction of the entire trail and the area as well.

The next day we decided to hit the trail again. the kids were not too happy about this...until we arrived. You see, the sandstone cliffs I mentioned and the tunnels through rock and stairs. They were all on this portion of the trail and the kids were in awe. Plan to add some extra time on this trail for exploring all of the nooks and crannies available. It really is interesting. The trail description can be found here: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/luxembourg/echternach/echternacher-wollefsschlucht-e1?u=i

That's it for now. Stay tuned for Part Deux of our Luxembourg trip, where we come upon a charming village, a mysterious cliffside castle and make our way into the capitol of Luxembourg...