One of the most beautiful tours one can make in Luxembourg is to be found in the area to the north west of Echternach. Because of the many rock formations the area is known as "Petite Suisse".

Park your car in Beaufort, opposite to the Chateau de Beaufort. The Chateau ruins are absolutely worth visiting, however, as we found out, they are not always open to public when outside the season. From the parking site, follow a path, to the right of a small lake, which heads south-east into the valley of the Haupeschbaach. Soon the valley narrows, and you are walking between abundantly overgrown rocks in a setting which, on warm humid days, resembles a tropical rainforest. After about half a kilometre some carvings are to be admired, in the rocks left of the brook.

After a while the Haupeschbaach flows into the Halerbaach. Continue to walk downstream, heading east, in the direction of Vugelsmillen. One can choose to follow the path high above the brook, but it is much nicer to take the Promenade along the bank.

Finally the Halerbaach escapes from the forest, and winds itself through the meadows to join the Ernz Noire. Turn right upon reaching the paved road, cross the bridge, in the direction of some sort of Chateau (private). Take the first path on the left, along the fringe of the forest, continuing to the south, through the wide valley of the Ernz Noire.

After about 1 kilometre, one takes a junction to the left, which crosses a bridge over the Ernz Noire, bringing you to the paved road at the opposite side of the valley. The enthusiast might prefer to the walk to Mullerthal, to cross the Ernz Noire overthere.

Turn left on the paved road, and continue for a few meters, passing a small pump building, opposite to which a path up hill becomes visible. Cross the road, take this path: it is the first stiff climb of the day. Apparently this path is rarely used. Trees and brushwood block the road, and it can be quite boggy at times. Moreover, the path is not always easy to find. Continue straight ahead, and when in doubt, tend to keep left. If it works out as it should you will reach the hair-pin in the paved road (C.R.364) above you. Take the path carrying southward from this turn. (In case you wandered too much to the right in the ascent you will also cross this path: in that case, turn left, to the hair-pin to check that you are still on track).

Turn left into a small path, a short distance after having left the hair-pin. Soon this path turns to the north. Don't head north in the next hair-pin (this will carry you back to the paved road), but instead continue the path to the south. A little bit further you will reach the signposted footpath heading norht for Berdorf.

The path climbs along towering rocks, through deep darks chasms, with impressive names like Weerschrumschloeff. It is remarkable that some sky high trees have managed to work their way to the daylight above these rocks. It is quite difficult to determine exactly your position on the map... therefore take care to turn left near the Predigtstull (Pulpit), to reach the road by climbing down steep stairs through another narrow chasm.

Cross the road, following the sign indicating the Binzeltschloeff. The path heads more or less below and between the rocks, initially to the north-west, but slowly turning north-east. Don't cross the rock belt. After about a kilometre or so, a cross road is reached: don't take the road which turns back to the left, don't turn right to cross the rocks, but take the path to the norht, along Adlerhorst, Sieweschloeff, and Kasselt. This latter place offers a gorgeous view over the valley of the Sûre.

Descent from the belvedere near Kasselt to the west, towards Grundhof. In Grundhof, turn left on the paved road, heading for the hamlet Grondhaff (with a beautiful farm). From Grondhaff take the path on the right, direction north west, offering a stiff climb along a meadow. Apart from being steep, it can be boggy as well.

Continue to head straight on. After a while a wider path, running north-south, is reached. According to the map this pad should be crossed, continuing in norht-westerly direction. We didn't see this path. What we could see was a very steep slope in front of us: well, press on, and just go for its top. Here you reach the fringe of the forest, with the Kuesselt stretching out from your feet: Beaufort is lies in the distance. Take the wide road downhill, at first unpaved, later paved, and treat your party to a Diekirch or Bofferding with apple-pie!

Duration of the walk

It took us about 5 hours, including lunch break

Map

R6 Basse-Sûre ~ Ernz Noire, 1:20 000, Sentiers Touristique, a publication of the administration du cadastre et de la topographie, 1993. The entire series consists of 10 maps.

Some other nice walks

Some links