The Mullerthal Region - Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland - Lower Sauer River
Impressions of Nature from the Mullerthal
The "Schiessentümpel" in summer
The Castle Beaufort
(Photographs with the gracious permission of: Office National du Tourisme Luxembourg and Mrs. Dr. Susanne Leder)
The region of Mullerthal – Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland – Lower Sauer River is one of three geographical areas of Luxembourg and indicates a very early settlement of humans through archaeological finds and cultural evidence. Prehistoric Man used rock projections and rock cavities of the sandstone formations as early as Paleolithic age for housing and shelter.
Historically throughout evolution sandstone is a prevalent type of rock on the earth’s surface and is practically found on all continents. Sandstone is sedimentary rock and emerged through the cementation of loose sand, which is the reason why it has the same origin as sand.
It is, contrary to chemical and biogenic (deposits from life forms) rock like limestone or carbon of classical formation, that means formed through the mechanic destruction of other rock. But it is also the lift and compression movements, erosion through wind and water or changes through different weather conditions, between freezing and thawing, that have contributed to the great diversity in the forms of the sandstone rocks of the Mullerthal region which amaze tourists, hikers and natives alike.
In the whole region avid hikers find a very well developed net of hiking paths, about 160 km long, well marked in sequence and which offers the nature lover an impressive flora and fauna among crevices, grottos, true labyrinths, thunderous waterfalls and romantic meadows and fields. Here, rare plants – especially mosses, lichen and ferns, i.e. Hymenophyllaceae (filmy ferns and bristle ferns) thrive. These ferns from the family of “Hymenophyllum tunbridgense” are a true rarity because they only grow in areas with high humidity and relatively high precipitation. They are normally found foremost in rainforest.
As such, nature is the boss in Luxembourg’s little Switzerland and within the concept of outstanding hiking trails and natural promenades such as the MüllerthalTrail Lower Sauer River, the Fred Welter Path or bicycle and mountain bike trails for the entire family, the tourist becomes an explorer of the present and the past, nature and culture.
The Mullerthal – Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland – Lower Sauer River region has many well visited and renowned sites which originated not only through the historical geological development, i.e. the “Schiessentümpel”, a waterfall with three cascades close to the village of Müllerthal, but also culturally historic sites which depict the life and work of humans throughout generations and centuries impressively.
The “Viergötterstein” (rock of four gods) is located close to Berdorf and is a base for the giant columns of Jupiter from sandstone and which symbolizes the four gods Minerva, Apollo, Juno and Hercules. The “Hollay”, also located close to Berdorf, is a sandstone rock from which millstones were broken out of and which still depicts today the impressive method used for the extraction of these stones.
The imposing palace ruins of Larochette and Beaufort, documented as far back as the 11. rather 12. Century, are also quit suitable for a visit by the whole family. Not in the least do many museums and sacred buildings invite to spend time, relax and offer insight to tradition and hospitality of the 15 communities in the region of Mullerthal such as Berdorf, Consdorf, Befort, Larochette or Echternach as the center and historical highlight of the region as well as.
Lived as well as built culture and geological formations accompany the tourist through the Mullerthal – Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland – Lower Sauer River. Above and beyond this the visitor is spoiled with culinary specialties such as goat cheese, moonshine and liqueurs or regional sweets. All this offers an inside view of the centuries which are stylishly and lastingly supplemented through the Trifolion Cultural and Congressional Center.
Historically throughout evolution sandstone is a prevalent type of rock on the earth’s surface and is practically found on all continents. Sandstone is sedimentary rock and emerged through the cementation of loose sand, which is the reason why it has the same origin as sand.
It is, contrary to chemical and biogenic (deposits from life forms) rock like limestone or carbon of classical formation, that means formed through the mechanic destruction of other rock. But it is also the lift and compression movements, erosion through wind and water or changes through different weather conditions, between freezing and thawing, that have contributed to the great diversity in the forms of the sandstone rocks of the Mullerthal region which amaze tourists, hikers and natives alike.
In the whole region avid hikers find a very well developed net of hiking paths, about 160 km long, well marked in sequence and which offers the nature lover an impressive flora and fauna among crevices, grottos, true labyrinths, thunderous waterfalls and romantic meadows and fields. Here, rare plants – especially mosses, lichen and ferns, i.e. Hymenophyllaceae (filmy ferns and bristle ferns) thrive. These ferns from the family of “Hymenophyllum tunbridgense” are a true rarity because they only grow in areas with high humidity and relatively high precipitation. They are normally found foremost in rainforest.
As such, nature is the boss in Luxembourg’s little Switzerland and within the concept of outstanding hiking trails and natural promenades such as the MüllerthalTrail Lower Sauer River, the Fred Welter Path or bicycle and mountain bike trails for the entire family, the tourist becomes an explorer of the present and the past, nature and culture.
The Mullerthal – Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland – Lower Sauer River region has many well visited and renowned sites which originated not only through the historical geological development, i.e. the “Schiessentümpel”, a waterfall with three cascades close to the village of Müllerthal, but also culturally historic sites which depict the life and work of humans throughout generations and centuries impressively.
The “Viergötterstein” (rock of four gods) is located close to Berdorf and is a base for the giant columns of Jupiter from sandstone and which symbolizes the four gods Minerva, Apollo, Juno and Hercules. The “Hollay”, also located close to Berdorf, is a sandstone rock from which millstones were broken out of and which still depicts today the impressive method used for the extraction of these stones.
The imposing palace ruins of Larochette and Beaufort, documented as far back as the 11. rather 12. Century, are also quit suitable for a visit by the whole family. Not in the least do many museums and sacred buildings invite to spend time, relax and offer insight to tradition and hospitality of the 15 communities in the region of Mullerthal such as Berdorf, Consdorf, Befort, Larochette or Echternach as the center and historical highlight of the region as well as.
Lived as well as built culture and geological formations accompany the tourist through the Mullerthal – Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland – Lower Sauer River. Above and beyond this the visitor is spoiled with culinary specialties such as goat cheese, moonshine and liqueurs or regional sweets. All this offers an inside view of the centuries which are stylishly and lastingly supplemented through the Trifolion Cultural and Congressional Center.