Overview
The Moselle Trail, or Moselsteig, is 365km long following the iconic, vine-bedecked river, often on elevated paths with magnificent views along the valley. This week of walking and wineries is from Trier to Koblenz, the former being the oldest city in Germany and the latter famous for being at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle. With a few train transfers along the way, hike through the prettiest of Palatinate villages, to Grevenstein and Eltz Castles and along the foothills of the Eifel Mountains, with some small summits along the way. This tour is accessible by train, and is dog-friendly too.
- Confluence of Rhine and Moselle
- Vineyards and traditional wineries
- Tranquil villages with half-timber houses
- Eltz Castle and others
- Eifel Mountains
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Trier
Trier, Germany’s oldest city, entices you with numerous historic sights. We highly recommend you visit the famous Porta Nigra, Roman excavations and the opulent St. Peter’s Cathedral.
- Accommodation: Deutscher Hof or similar
Day 2: Trier – Bullay | 17km
To start off your holiday, you cross the Moselle and ascend the colourful sandstone rock in Trierer Stadtwald Forest. Follow a high-altitude path with views onto the Moselle all way across to the Hunsrück range, then proceed to Biewer and the Eifel foothills. Hike through extensive forests and plateaus all the way to Ehranger Kanzel and downhill to the River Kyll. Walk through Eifel forests and move onward toward Schweich, then onto Bullay, a charming village on the Moselle, by train.
- Walking for the day: 5h, 17km, ↑450m, ↓450m
- Accommodation: Feriendomizil am Lindenplatz or similar
Day 3: Circular walk in Bullay | 15km
You reach the start of this section via the legendary Moselle Wine Railway and cross Germany’s longest viaduct in the Art Deco town of Traben-Trabach. You ascend steep terrain up to Grevenstein Castle and proceed on the Franzosensteig Trail via spiral staircases and via ferratas straight through the ruins. An alpine hiking section along the Kirster Grat ridge gives great views over Enkirch, where we highly recommend you visit its historic half-timber houses. Onward through wine growing areas and vineyards you proceed to Bullay, where a wine tasting of the best Moselle wines awaits.
- Walking for the day: 5h, 15km, ↑500m, ↓500m
- Accommodation: Feriendomizil am Lindenplatz or similar
Day 4: Bullay – Cochem | 19km
Beautiful paths lead you high above the river up Mount Petersberg, with stupendous views over the Moselle bend in the river. After a descent and the river crossing near Neef, head up Mount Calmont on the other side. Walk up to Europe‘s steepest vineyard, where grapes are grown on an incline of up to 55 degrees. Continue via a Roman settlement with a view of Eller Todesangst rock spire, past the Galgenlay-Pavillon, and then onto Cochem by train.
- Walking for the day: 5.5h, 19km, ↑650m, ↓650m
- Accommodation: Cochemer Jung or similar
Day 5: Cochem – Treis Karden | 23km
Ascend to the Pinner Cross, a rock pulpit located above Cochem, either on foot or by chair lift. Follow trails high above the river to the legendary refuge, Wingerts Budche. Dortebachtal Nature Reserve, Pommerer Forest and the via ferrata through the Schilzer-basin provide pleasant walking conditions in the shade. Continue alongside vineyards to Mount Martberg, where you can visit a restored Roman temple complex. Narrow trails snake their way through dense woodland down into the valley and into Treis-Karden.
- Walking for the day: 6h, 23km, ↑750m, ↓750m
- Accommodation: Schlosshotel Petry or similar
Day 6: Treis Karden – Löf | 24km
Follow a forest trail with steep rock steps, starting from Müden and proceeding into the highlands to the legendary Eltz Castle. After a break in the beer garden, continue uphill to the Maifeld area and along the steep edge via little climbing sections to Hatzenport. If you have energy left, you can climb over slate rocks up Mount Rabenlay.
- Walking for the day: 6h, 24km, ↑700m, ↓700m
- Accommodation: Hotel Anker or similar
Day 7: Löf – Koblenz | 14km
For the finale again numerous highlights await including the ruins of Kobern Niederburg Castle, the Romanesque Matthew Chapel and high altitude paths with panoramic views. The Blumslay viewpoint is particularly good, as you can take in the impressive, 136m-high Moselle Valley bridge. Enjoy one last stroll through lush vineyards all the way to Güls-Koblenz, the official end of the Moselsteig Trail. After a short train journey, you reach the centre of Koblenz, where you can raise a glass to celebrate the end of your impressive hiking week at the Deutsches Eck (German Corner), the confluence of the rivers Mosel and Rhine.
- Walking for the day: 4.5h, 14km, ↑500m, ↓500m
- Accommodation: Hotel Brenner or similar
Day 8: Departure
Departure, or extension upon request.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in a mix of hotels, country inns and traditional guesthouses. All accommodations have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services.
Click to view default hotels
- Deutscher Hof (Trier)
- Feriendomizil am Lindenplatz (Bullay)
- Cochemer Jung (Cochem)
- Schlosshotel Petry (Treis-Karden)
- Hotel Anker (Löf)
- Hotel Brenner (Koblenz)
Note that hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel (from the ones pictured above) is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. Packed lunches may be available from your accommodation, or you can stop on the way; there are plenty of beer gardens and small shops to satisfy your thirst and appetite. Dinners are available at overnight accommodations or close by.
Difficulty and terrain
You mainly walk on well-maintained hiking paths and trails, on gravelled vineyard paths and remote forest paths. The panoramic paths featuring great views and lead you across steep terrain and rocks, here being surefooted is a prerequisite. The ascents and descents of the mountain ranges of the Mosel river valley are mastered easily with a good basic fitness level. Daily tours can easily and comfortably be cut short by train any time. (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from April to October.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Frankfurt.
By train or bus
The best way from Frankfurt airport to Trier is by train. If arriving by train in Trier or Bullay, it is only a few minutes walk or taxi drive to the hotel. There is a limited number of free hotel parking spaces available but reservation is not possible. The return journey from Koblenz to Trier takes approximately 1.5h.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnight stays as stated above
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transfers on walking days
- One wine tasting of Moselle wines (German, English)
- Carefully elaborated route description
- Detailed route descriptions, travel and tour documents (one set per room)
- Navigation App and GPS data available
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Local tourist taxes
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights in Trier and Koblenz
- This is a dog-friendly holiday. When booking, simply let us know the breed and size of your dog. Possible additional costs are payable locally on site.
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