As Rick Steves would say "Sometimes you need a vacation from your
your vacation." So we loaded the rental with Ardennes ham
sandwiches, Mosel wine and our beloved backpacks and headed
south from Vianden on Highway 17 and then east at Diekirch
for 10 miles to the Le Mullenthal, aka La Petite Swiss, or
Luxembourg's Little Switzerland.
We turned west toward village Mullenthal where the Sure River
meets the Creek Erwz Noire, parked the car in the first slot
and rushed to the trail on the other side of the creek
almost hidden by the canopy of trees. What a treat! Cool
refreshing non-city air, a wide slightly bumpy trail guarded
on one side by carved sandstone cliffs and brushed by the
splashing creek on the other. We strolled quietly for a while
and then bound up the cliffs by stone stairs to admire the spetacular
scenery from a lofty plateau.
Following the twisting trail below toward Mullenthal, the
village gave its name to the area, lead to a beautiful
waterfall called "Schiessentunpel" topped by a arched mossy
stone bridge which crossed back to benches and a cool shade for
our lunch.