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Our Valley
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valley
The Our Valley in northeastern Luxembourg forms the natural border with Germany and is part of the German-Luxembourgish Nature Park. The Our river meanders through a deep-cut valley in the Eifel-Ardennes region, offering some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Grand Duchy. The architectural highlight is Vianden Castle, one of the most powerful Romanesque and Gothic residences in Europe, which towers majestically over the valley. The Our was harnessed for energy in the 20th century through the Vianden Pumped Storage Plant, one of the largest of its kind in Europe, with two artificial upper reservoirs on the Nikolausberg overlooking the valley. Ecologically, the valley is known for its biodiversity, including rare freshwater pearl mussels and black storks. Hikers find an extensive network of trails here, often leading along narrow paths directly on the riverbank. The valley combines dramatic nature with significant historical sites and modern technology for generating renewable energy. Particularly in autumn, the colorful foliage of the mixed forests provides an impressive contrast to the gray slate rocks of the Ösling.
- Location: Luxembourg
- Top sights: Gehaanskapell vu Waalsdref · Niclosbierg · Exaltation-de-la-Sainte-Croix
- Nearby: Diekirch (7 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 75 | 64 | 63 | 49 | 75 | 75 | 74 | 81 | 59 | 67 | 72 | 84 |
📋 Practical info
Getting there
The valley is generally accessible by car via scenic routes hugging the German-Luxembourgish border. Many hikers commence their trips from established rural trailheads in the northeast.
Best season
Spring showcases blooming flora on the steep forested slopes, while summer provides dense shade in the narrow gorges. Autumn has spectacular views of the changing leaves along the border.
Terrain & paths
Navigating the gorges requires traversing rocky paths and potentially steep, uneven woodland tracks. The topography is notably rugged compared to the gentler landscapes found elsewhere.
What to bring
Reliable hiking boots with strong grip are essential for the steep and often damp gorge environments. Layered clothing helps adapt to the noticeable temperature drops within the narrowest sections.
Parking
Visitors generally rely on designated clearings near the main access roads or in adjacent border towns. Finding space is rarely an issue, though remote trailheads may have limited capacity.
Safety
The narrow gorges can experience sudden rockfalls, so avoid lingering directly beneath overhanging cliffs. Forested slopes become exceptionally slippery following heavy regional rainfalls.
Time needed
A typical hike through the main gorge sections usually occupies roughly three to four hours. Extensive trekking along the entire border valley system demands a full day commitment.
Geography
Facts
- The Our river forms the border between Luxembourg and Germany for 78 kilometers.
- The Vianden Pumped Storage Plant was officially inaugurated in 1964.
- Vianden Castle was built between the 11th and 14th centuries.
- The valley houses rare populations of freshwater pearl mussels.
- A chairlift in Vianden overcomes a height difference of 170 meters over the valley.
- The valley is part of the German-Luxembourgish Nature Park, founded in 1964.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Our Valley (8)
Méchelskapell
Church building in Nachtmanderscheid, Luxembourg, dedicated to Saint Michael.
Kinneksknäppchen
Viewpoint offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Besucherstollen
Visitor mine, former mining tunnel open to the public.
Point de Vue Victor Hugo
Viewpoint named after Victor Hugo, providing wide vistas.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Which castle towers over the Our Valley?
The majestic Vianden Castle is the most famous landmark.
Can you ride a chairlift?
Yes, in Vianden, a chairlift leads to a great viewpoint overlooking the valley.
Is the Our a border river?
Yes, for long stretches, it forms the border between Luxembourg and Germany.
What hiking trails are available?
The Nat'Our routes offer cross-border hiking experiences.
What is the SEO pumped-storage plant?
A large power plant near Vianden that can be visited on guided tours.
Our Valley: where is it located?
Our Valley is located in Luxembourg.
Our Valley: what is there to see?
Highlights include Gehaanskapell vu Waalsdref, Niclosbierg, Exaltation-de-la-Sainte-Croix.
Our Valley: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Our Valley: why is it worth visiting?
The Our Valley in northeastern Luxembourg forms the natural border with Germany and is part of the German-Luxembourgish Nature Park.
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History & landmarks
Vianden
A medieval town in the Our Valley, dominated by one of the largest and most impressive feudal castles in Western Europe.
Larochette
A picturesque town in the valley of the White Ernz, dominated by the imposing ruins of a medieval castle.
Clervaux
A picturesque town in the Ardennes, famous for its white castle and the world-renowned photo exhibition.
Bourscheid Castle
Luxembourg's largest castle complex stands on a 150-meter rocky promontory overlooking the Sûre river.
Vianden Castle
Vianden Castle was constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries on the foundations of a Roman fort.
Bourscheid Castle
Bourscheid Castle is the largest fortress in Luxembourg, perched on a rocky promontory 150 meters above the Sûre River.
Nature
Niklosbierg Nature Reserve
Located above Vianden, this area protects valuable heathlands and oak forests.
Stolzembourg Nature Area
Located near the historic copper mine, this area protects forest-covered slopes along the Our.
Our River
This tributary of the Sauer rises in the Ardennes and shapes the landscape in the northeast of the country.
Mont Saint-Nicolas
Mont Saint-Nicolas near Vianden offers one of the most spectacular views over the Our valley and the medieval town.
Blees River
The Blees is a 20-kilometer-long tributary of the Sauer in northeastern Luxembourg.
Molberlee Ridge
Molberlee is a striking schist ridge near Hoscheid.
More places
Brandenbourg Castle
The imposing ruins of Brandenbourg Castle perch on a ridge above the Blees Valley.
Vianden Pumped Storage Plant
The Vianden power plant is one of the largest pumped storage plants in Europe.
Saint Nicholas Church Vianden
A charming Gothic-style church located on the banks of the Our river in historic Vianden.
Haardt Nature Reserve (Diekirch)
This forest area above Diekirch protects diverse mixed deciduous forests on sunny slopes.
Herrenberg
Herrenberg is a prominent hill near Diekirch.
Haardt Forest Reserve (Diekirch)
This forest area near Diekirch protects valuable mixed forest stands on calcareous soil.