Gorge, waterfall, sandstone: Mullerthal W7 over 10.6 km

The Mullerthal W7 leads through narrow rock gorges, past moss-covered sandstone – and ends at the most famous waterfall in the region.

There are hikes you plan, and hikes you never forget. The Mullerthal W7 belongs to the second category. 10.6 kilometres, barely any elevation change on paper (between 214 and 370 metres), but in between a landscape that makes you stop again and again – because of a moss-covered rock, a stream beneath old stone arches, or simply because the light falls through the leaf canopy exactly the way you had hoped.

Start: playground, stream and first steep ascent

The tour starts at the Heringer Millen car park in Müllerthal – parking directly at the tourist centre, access via the N11 or by bus (stop Müllerthal, approx. 150 metres away). Right at the beginning you pass a spacious playground with modern stainless steel equipment, nestled between deciduous forest and green rolling hills – if you’re out with children, plan the stop for the return trip, not the outward journey, otherwise nobody will keep walking.

Then comes the first ascent – steep, but short. At the top a wooden pavilion awaits, its roof long since overgrown with moss – a good first stop, also because the view through the beams into the mixed forest below makes a lovely backlit subject. Those who start early in the morning get the best light here.

The centrepiece: rock gorges, root paths, quiet streams

The middle section of the Mullerthal W7 is what you come for. Narrow paths wind through tall conifers with lush fern undergrowth, the filtered sunlight casting long shadows on the forest floor. Time and again you cross clear streams whose water trickles over moss-covered stones – at one of these crossings stands an old stone bridge, beneath which the water is so clear you can count every stone on the bottom.

Then comes the narrow sandstone rock passage: a natural gorge, the walls green and damp, the sandstone covered with cushions of moss, the passage so narrow that you may need to take off your backpack. Definitely have your camera or smartphone ready – the rock structure up close is one of the most striking subjects of the entire tour. Shortly after follows the steepest rock staircase on the route: sure-footedness and good footwear are essential here, hiking poles help. Once at the top, the forest opens briefly and you suddenly find yourself on a sun-drenched hillside meadow among conifers – an abrupt contrast to the shady gorge section before it.

A lesser-known detail along the wayside: along the Schwarze Ernz, which accompanies the W7 for long stretches, the skeleton of the so-called Loschbour man was once found not far from the route – a hunter-gatherer who lived here more than 8,000 years ago. Knowing that, you look at the rocks with different eyes.

The finale: Kalktuffquelle and Schiessentümpel

Shortly before the end, the path leads to the Kallektuffquelle, where a stream quietly trickles over a rocky ledge into a crystal-clear pool – calm, mystical, barely touristy. Current note (as of July 2026): The wooden boardwalk in this area is closed due to construction work; a signposted detour is in place and the spring remains accessible.

Then, just before the finish: the Schiessentümpel. The picturesque stone bridge over the waterfall is the landmark of the entire Mullerthal – and anyone who has never seen it immediately understands why. Early in the morning you are almost alone here; from midday the paths fill up noticeably. The tip: better to start at 8 o’clock than at 10.

Practical info at a glance

• Distance: 10.6 km, circular route
• Elevation: 214 m (valley) to 370 m (highest point), little total elevation gain – but steep individual sections
• Start/Parking: Heringer Millen car park, Müllerthal (free)
• Getting there by public transport: Bus to stop Müllerthal, approx. 150 m to the start
• Best time: Midsummer (the gorges are pleasantly cool and shady), starting before 9 a.m. recommended
• Refreshments: Guest house directly on the route – the Mullerthal sign on the wall marks the turning, local cuisine
• Equipment: Sturdy hiking footwear is essential, especially in wet conditions; hiking poles useful for the rock staircase
• With children: Doable, but the narrow rock passages and steep staircases require attention; plan the playground at the start as a reward for the return
• Dogs: Allowed, must be kept on a lead

The Mullerthal W7 is one of those routes worth making a dedicated trip to Luxembourg for – not because of a single highlight, but because of the density: gorge, waterfall, moss, light. All within 10.6 kilometres.