Natural & cultural heritage

The region stands out not only with its imposing rocks and gorges, but also with the traditional orchard meadows (bongerten) and their hundreds of fruit varieties, large forests, unique fern and moss flora, natural forest reserves and a land area of 42 % Natura2000 areas. In addition, one finds here the remains of the “oldest Luxembourgers”. The oldest town in Luxembourg, the intangible world cultural heritage “the hopping procession of Echternach”, the castles and palaces of Beaufort and Larochette, Echternach Abbey with its illuminated books, and relics of early industries such as the iron and textile industry, can be found here. Last but not least, this historic tourism region can be explored on award-winning hiking trails, some of which date from the 19th century.
Here, you may discover selected examples of our natural and cultural heritage!

Thank you for respecting our beautiful landscapes. You can find more information ob the rules of conduct here.

Haupeschbaach – Halerbaach

The valleys of the Haupeschbaach and the Halerbaach near Beaufort and Haller are incised into the Luxembourg Sandstone and show the typical forms of such valleys. They have been formed by the erosional force of the creeks, which are fed by numerous springs, and show a V-shaped transverse profiles with sandy and blocky regolith at […]

The valleys of the Haupeschbaach and the Halerbaach near Beaufort and Haller are incised into the Luxembourg Sandstone and show the typical forms of such valleys. They have been formed…

The valleys of the Haupeschbaach and the Halerbaach near Beaufort and Haller are incised into the Luxembourg Sandstone and show…

Mardell – small pond

A mardel (tiny pond) is a small hollow mould, which is at least temporarily filled with water. It is a typical form connected to dissolution of gypsum lenses or limestones from a marly subsoil. In places where the gypsum or limestone lenses were dissolved, the surface lowered. Mardels are a valuable archive of the history […]

A mardel (tiny pond) is a small hollow mould, which is at least temporarily filled with water. It is a typical form connected to dissolution of gypsum lenses or limestones…

A mardel (tiny pond) is a small hollow mould, which is at least temporarily filled with water. It is a…

Gefale Leeën – rockfall in dolomite

The landscape in the area of the Gefale Leeën („fallen stones“) is the result of an enormous rockfall in dolomites of the Middle Triassic (“Muschelkalk”) and sliding processes of the marls below in the valley of the river Sauer near Rosport. A huge amount of large blocks of dolomite lie in front of the rock […]

The landscape in the area of the Gefale Leeën („fallen stones“) is the result of an enormous rockfall in dolomites of the Middle Triassic (“Muschelkalk”) and sliding processes of the…

The landscape in the area of the Gefale Leeën („fallen stones“) is the result of an enormous rockfall in dolomites…

Alkummer – narrow passageway in dolomite

A large part of the dolomite rocks, limited by the joint system, slid and tilted on the marly layer underneath in the direction of the valley and opened up a narrow passageway high above the valley of the river Sauer near Steinheim, the Alkummer.

A large part of the dolomite rocks, limited by the joint system, slid and tilted on the marly layer underneath in the direction of the valley and opened up a…

A large part of the dolomite rocks, limited by the joint system, slid and tilted on the marly layer underneath…

Héikräiz – viewpoint

On the plateau on top of the Luxembourg Sandstone out­crop the mostly agriculturally used “Marls and Limestones of Strassen”. The location provides a 360 degree view, typical for these types of plateau. The area is deeply incised by rivers and creeks, which have their origin in temporarily pouring springs related to the banks of limestone. […]

On the plateau on top of the Luxembourg Sandstone out­crop the mostly agriculturally used “Marls and Limestones of Strassen”. The location provides a 360 degree view, typical for these types…

On the plateau on top of the Luxembourg Sandstone out­crop the mostly agriculturally used “Marls and Limestones of Strassen”. The…

Zeiebierg – a butte near Bech

At this location, the Luxembourg Sandstone plateau (li2) drops steeply down. About 100 m deeper, a gently undulating landscape of clayey marls (ku-km) extends to the south. There are still small remnants of sandstone on the marls on an isolated hill in front of the steep slope. The hill is called “butte” and testifies that […]

At this location, the Luxembourg Sandstone plateau (li2) drops steeply down. About 100 m deeper, a gently undulating landscape of clayey marls (ku-km) extends to the south. There are still…

At this location, the Luxembourg Sandstone plateau (li2) drops steeply down. About 100 m deeper, a gently undulating landscape of…

Hëlt – Dolomite, orchids and wine

The Hëlt near Rosport is built up from the layers of the middle (marl with gypsum layers) and upper “Muschelkalk” (dolomite). The gypsum layers were quarried in open quarries in the past. On the north-west side of the hill, a landslide has taken place, leaving an irregular relief in the marls. The landslide reached into […]

The Hëlt near Rosport is built up from the layers of the middle (marl with gypsum layers) and upper “Muschelkalk” (dolomite). The gypsum layers were quarried in open quarries in…

The Hëlt near Rosport is built up from the layers of the middle (marl with gypsum layers) and upper “Muschelkalk”…

Wanterbaach-Siweschlëff

The area of the Wanterbaach and Siweschlëff is certainly one of the most impressive parts of the landscape in the Luxembourg sandstone. The steep rock faces and the narrow gorges (LU: Schlëff) are characterised by a special microclimate – one of the foundations for the extraordinary biodiversity there – especially among the ferns and mosses […]

The area of the Wanterbaach and Siweschlëff is certainly one of the most impressive parts of the landscape in the Luxembourg sandstone. The steep rock faces and the narrow gorges…

The area of the Wanterbaach and Siweschlëff is certainly one of the most impressive parts of the landscape in the…

Kallektuffquell – fascinating rock

Calcareous tufa springs are rare and special habitats that are home to a variety of specialised creatures and are protected EU-wide protection (FFH Directive). At the source of the spring, lime is deposited from the water, forming the porous calcareous tufa, one of the youngest rocks in the region. The lime, which glues the individual […]

Calcareous tufa springs are rare and special habitats that are home to a variety of specialised creatures and are protected EU-wide protection (FFH Directive). At the source of the spring,…

Calcareous tufa springs are rare and special habitats that are home to a variety of specialised creatures and are protected…

Noumerleeën – miniature image of the region

The rocky landscape of the Noumerleeën delimits the distribution area of the Luxembourg sandstone in the Natur- & Geopark Mëllerdall. To the northwest, the gently undulating landscapes of the marls of the Keuper period follow. The Noumerleeën can be seen as a miniature image of the entire sandstone region. Almost all geologically interesting aspects can […]

The rocky landscape of the Noumerleeën delimits the distribution area of the Luxembourg sandstone in the Natur- & Geopark Mëllerdall. To the northwest, the gently undulating landscapes of the marls…

The rocky landscape of the Noumerleeën delimits the distribution area of the Luxembourg sandstone in the Natur- & Geopark Mëllerdall.…

Schéissendëmpel – force of the water

At the Schéissendëmpel with its stone bridge, the water of the Black Ernz stream flows over some large boulders lying in the stream bed. They cannot be carried away by the flowing water, but are ground smooth by the sand, gravel and smaller boulders. This material comes from the geological layers of the surrounding slopes […]

At the Schéissendëmpel with its stone bridge, the water of the Black Ernz stream flows over some large boulders lying in the stream bed. They cannot be carried away by…

At the Schéissendëmpel with its stone bridge, the water of the Black Ernz stream flows over some large boulders lying…

Al Schmelz – Ponds of a former blast furnace

Fischbach is one of Luxembourg’s early industrial centres: until 1857, bog iron orefrom the Mersch area was smelted here in blast furnaces. The blast furnace was located in the area of the ponds south of Fischbach. Water and charcoal as energy suppliers were easily available here: the water was impounded in ponds and drove water […]

Fischbach is one of Luxembourg’s early industrial centres: until 1857, bog iron orefrom the Mersch area was smelted here in blast furnaces. The blast furnace was located in the area…

Fischbach is one of Luxembourg’s early industrial centres: until 1857, bog iron orefrom the Mersch area was smelted here in…

Wollefsschlucht – a sandstone gorge

The steep rock cliffs of the up to 40-metre deep “Wolf’s Gorge” consist of Luxembourg sandstone (li2). While the sandstone forms the “Érelchen” plateau, the lower part of the slope down to the river Sauer is made up of clayey marls, clay stones and is covered by weathered hillside rock. The Wolf’s Gorge was formed […]

The steep rock cliffs of the up to 40-metre deep “Wolf’s Gorge” consist of Luxembourg sandstone (li2). While the sandstone forms the “Érelchen” plateau, the lower part of the slope…

The steep rock cliffs of the up to 40-metre deep “Wolf’s Gorge” consist of Luxembourg sandstone (li2). While the sandstone…

Thoull and the former meander of the river Sauer

South of Echternach, two small streams flow through a wide valley around the “Thoull” hill. The present Echternach lake was created here in the 1970s. The valley has however a long history:  It was formed because over the last 20 million years by the river Sauer and its tributary streams which have carved their way […]

South of Echternach, two small streams flow through a wide valley around the “Thoull” hill. The present Echternach lake was created here in the 1970s. The valley has however a…

South of Echternach, two small streams flow through a wide valley around the “Thoull” hill. The present Echternach lake was…

Champignon – a mushroom shaped rock

The Champignon is a solitary boulder of Luxembourg sandstone in the shape of a mushroom. It is the weathering remnant of this sandstone layer, which originally extended further north here. A few metres to the south, it is still completely preserved. To the north, on the other hand, one can look far into the hilly […]

The Champignon is a solitary boulder of Luxembourg sandstone in the shape of a mushroom. It is the weathering remnant of this sandstone layer, which originally extended further north here.…

The Champignon is a solitary boulder of Luxembourg sandstone in the shape of a mushroom. It is the weathering remnant…

Rippeger Kopp – the cuesta of Luxembourg Sandstone

The Luxembourg Sandstone ends abruptly at this location and the topography drops steeply down. Such a terrace is called a cuesta. Below the ridge the lower-lying, gently-undulating landscape of colourful marls is observable and predominantly used for agriculture. With favourable meteoric conditions it is possible to see the “Widdebierg” mountain (the highest elevation) near Flaxweiler, […]

The Luxembourg Sandstone ends abruptly at this location and the topography drops steeply down. Such a terrace is called a cuesta. Below the ridge the lower-lying, gently-undulating landscape of colourful…

The Luxembourg Sandstone ends abruptly at this location and the topography drops steeply down. Such a terrace is called a…

Kuelscheier – a narrow rock crevice

The Kuelscheier is a narrow, pitch-dark rock crevice in the Luxembourg sandstone. It runs over a distance of about 100 metres parallel to the valley of the Härdbaach stream. The nearby Rittergang and the Déiwepëtz are also such crevices. They opened up because huge blocks of rock along fissures detached from the rock face and […]

The Kuelscheier is a narrow, pitch-dark rock crevice in the Luxembourg sandstone. It runs over a distance of about 100 metres parallel to the valley of the Härdbaach stream. The…

The Kuelscheier is a narrow, pitch-dark rock crevice in the Luxembourg sandstone. It runs over a distance of about 100…

Steekaul Burermillen – a former sandstone quarry

The oldest rocks in the region can be observed: red sandstones from the Lower Triassic (“Buntsandstein”). The red colour is due to oxidyzed iron concentrations in the rock. These older sandstones are outcropping at the surface in this area because the geological strata buckles here upwards and forms an arch-like structure, the “Born saddle”. The […]

The oldest rocks in the region can be observed: red sandstones from the Lower Triassic (“Buntsandstein”). The red colour is due to oxidyzed iron concentrations in the rock. These older…

The oldest rocks in the region can be observed: red sandstones from the Lower Triassic (“Buntsandstein”). The red colour is…

Gipskaul – Mining of gypsum near Rosport

Mainly in the 1940s and 1950s gypsum was mined underground in a gallery on the slope of the Giischterbësch forest. The extracted gypsum was transported in wagons via a braking incline to a loading area. This transport was gravitationally controlled by the concept, that downhill moving loaded wagons are able to pull empty wagons uphill, […]

Mainly in the 1940s and 1950s gypsum was mined underground in a gallery on the slope of the Giischterbësch forest. The extracted gypsum was transported in wagons via a braking…

Mainly in the 1940s and 1950s gypsum was mined underground in a gallery on the slope of the Giischterbësch forest.…

Salt water spring – Historical salt mining near Born

Salt was extracted near Born between the 16th and 18th centuries by means of a brine concentrating system. This is proven by a concession certificate dating from 1585. Salt mining was possible here because salt rich springs waters occur at various places on the river Sauer. One of the springs supplied a sufficiently large amount of water with a high enough salt content. Today, […]

Salt was extracted near Born between the 16th and 18th centuries by means of a brine concentrating system. This is proven by a concession certificate dating from 1585. Salt mining…

Salt was extracted near Born between the 16th and 18th centuries by means of a brine concentrating system. This is…