The Valley of the Seven Castles: the walk nobody tells you about

"The Valley of the Seven Castles" sounds like a video game level or the title of a medieval drama. Yet it's a real corner of Luxembourg, in the west of the country, along a small river called the Eisch. Across just a handful of villages, the valley lines up castles the way other places line up bus stops - and almost nobody talks about it. An anomaly that needs correcting.

Seven castles, one valley

From Mersch to Koerich, via Schoenfels, Hollenfels, Ansembourg - which has two all by itself - and Septfontaines, every village has its own. Some are romantic ruins, others are still-inhabited manors or restored buildings: most are admired from the outside, which takes nothing away from the fun. What makes the valley unique is the sequence: one castle has barely left your field of vision before the next one announces itself.

Walking from village to village

A waymarked trail runs through the valley, linking the villages together across meadows, woods and riverbanks. No need to do it all in one go: the route splits neatly into sections, and each stretch has its own mood. It's an easy walk, more contemplative than athletic, where the scenery does all the heavy lifting.

The smart move is to go as a group and turn the outing into a mini expedition: everyone picks their favourite castle along the way, and the debate on the way home is guaranteed. No spoilers possible: they all have a case.

How to plan your day

The easiest option is to start from Mersch, reachable by free train, then join the valley on foot or by local bus. Pack a picnic, comfortable shoes and a charged phone for photos: opportunities will not be in short supply. It's the kind of outing that costs nothing, requires almost no planning, and still leaves a lasting memory.