Hiking in the Moselle

Anyone who thinks that the Moselle Valley in Germany is only for older people is completely wrong. We visited the Moselle valley in 2015 and recently enjoyed some hiking trails again. We hiked some beautiful circular hiking trails and also part of the Moselsteig, a long-distance hiking trail in Germany. In this article we tell you everything about hiking in the Moselle Valley in Germany, including tips on the most beautiful hiking trails, accommodation options and much more. Have fun reading!

The Moselle is a 544 kilometer long river that lies in France, Luxembourg and Germany. It rises in the French Vosges and flows into the Rhine near Koblenz. The most beautiful part of the Moselle is in the Moselle valley, between the cities of Trier and Koblenz. The landscape is characterized by rain-covered hills, steep slopes and a winding river. Along the way you will find old castles and fortresses, numerous relics from Roman times and beautiful viewpoints.

The most famous places along the Moselle are Trier, Cochem and Zell. Most places are connected by train or bus, so you can hike and/or part of the famous Moselsteig without a car.

1. Extra tour Lemonkrämer-Kreuz Moselsteig accompanying route

The Lemonkrämer-Kreuz extra tour offers an interplay of unique river views, sunny vineyards, adventurous climbs, quiet forest and meadow passages as well as magnificent views of the nearby low mountain ranges of the Eifel and Hunsrück. Cultural gems such as the Roman aqueduct in Pölich or the Lemonkrämer Cross are further highlights of this multifaceted route

The Huxley Plateau with its small, vine-covered hut and the spectacular view of the Moselle valley is the first highlight of the descent. Between the slate slopes, you walk along narrow paths, lined with dense vineyards and breathtaking views, to the Roman aqueduct, a true marvel of ancient engineering that is still in use today. Information boards invite you to take a look. At the edge of the hill, the path continues parallel to the riverbed to a deeply cut side valley created by the ice ditch in the slate slopes. We now reach an almost mystical section of the path where the valley shows its wild, original side. This is the start of a series of steep ascents and descents, gorge crossings reminiscent of primeval forests, bridges and footbridges and varied forest images. The path then returns to the Moselle and shortly afterwards disappears into the next gorge inland. Finally you reach the Martinskreuz, which invites you to take a break with a wonderful view of the small town of Ensch.

Now it's getting really wild, and the rustic Krautenbachtal beckons. After a short stretch on the edge of the hill with a view of the Moselle landscape, you soon disappear into a completely isolated world. This passage offers you nature in its purest form. The romantic Moselle is never far away, endless vineyards suddenly appear and the path opens up spectacular views of the slopes. A dark hole in an ivy wall interrupts the pleasant idyll with the Moselle, and now we head inland. Another plateau with vitamin-rich meadows and extensive pastures awaits you. The path now leads to the Lörscher riding stables, where you can refresh yourself and have lunch.

After a break, we continue through the forest to the Sauerbrunnen and the Lemonkrämer Cross, after which this hike is named. According to legend, an Italian lemon merchant from Lenno on Lake Como was killed on his way to Trier in 1687. His relatives had a sandstone cross erected in his memory. You can take a short break at the rest area before continuing through wide fields and meadows along the Moselle. Above the Huxley Plateau the path rejoins the picturesque river. On an authentic panoramic path that resembles a unique sun terrace, you hike above the Moselle and through dense vineyards. The path leads along a bird and fruit tree path to a chapel, an insect hotel and finally to the Mehring-Pölich health and fitness park. The “Staircase to Heaven” takes you back to the starting point of the hike, the small hut on the Huxley Plateau.

2. Moselsteig stage 13: Traben-Trarbach - Reil

This stage begins in Traben, on Poststraße. If you arrive by train, you can take the signposted access road. The road leads over the bridge to the other side of the Moselle. The Trarbach district is located here on the other side of the Hunsrück. An access road leads from the Brückenschänke to the large Moselle car park. A winding path now leads through the forest up the steep slope. After numerous curves you reach the Grenvenburg ruins. A restaurant is open there in summer. Here you have the first view of the twin towns in the valley.

After a bit on the access road to the castle, the path now leads over a narrow, steep slate path. The view from the Heaven's Gate invites you to take a short or longer break, and a bench invites you to linger. The climb isn't quite done yet, but the climb of the forest path up to Bismarkhöhe is child's play compared to what you've already achieved. Once at the top, the view invites you to take a longer break: you can see the entire ring of the Traben-Trabach and in the middle the ring of the plateau with the ruins of the Mount Royal fortress and the area of ​​the small airport.

From the viewing point, the Moselsteig continues on a path through the forest. After a few steps you will reach the lowest point. A little further on, the route climbs again on a path. The slope becomes steeper and the narrow path follows it closely. You are now hiking through a beautiful forest area dominated by low oak trees. A little later you reach the viewpoint on the Rach, which awaits you with a hut, a rest area and a fascinating view of the Moselle landscape. The Moselsteig leads a little further along the path over the hill to the former school gymnasium in Starkenburg. You should just take a moment here and enjoy the view. A few steps take you to the main street of the small town, which lies like an eagle's nest on the mountain ridge between the Moselle and Ahringsbach valleys. The path changes sides of the mountain and leads steeply down the slope to the Ahringsbach.

After crossing the road, you soon reach the ridge. The Moselsteig changes sides again and begins with a path that impresses with its slate cliffs and fantastic views of the Moselle. For the next 1.5 kilometers, the Moselsteig closely follows the ridge that leads down into the Moselle valley, sometimes like a narrow rocky ridge, sometimes ascending and descending, with varied views - a truly wonderful route! There are also several huts and benches along the way. The Kirster Grat ends at the Rottenblick rest area. From here you can already see Enkirch, the next stage.

The path now leads down to Enkirch. After a short stretch through narrow streets you reach a path that leads from the upper village down to the lower village. In the lower village you cross the Großbach via a footbridge. At Brunnenplatz you have reached the center of Enkirch. Follow a side street and you will reach the outskirts of town again. After crossing a small side valley, the path continues through the vineyards. The path initially climbs steeply between the rows of vines and then reaches the forest on a path parallel to the slope. The path now remains more or less at the same height. On one loop of the route you can visit the wine village of Burg. Through the vineyards you reach a chapel. Here the Moselsteig meets a wine hiking trail that continues to the next rest area. There is also a path to the castle. The path now leads mainly through the uncultivated areas of the old vineyards, but this does not detract from the hiking experience, as the view over the Moselle valley is even more beautiful. The "comfortable" part of the grass path ends abruptly at an intersection. On a path, the Moselsteig crosses an undergrowth and joins the path at the foot of the slope. We continue for a short distance on this vineyard path, with a beautiful view of Reil, the end of this stage. A steep descent follows. (There is also an access road to Pünderich at this point). On this steep vineyard path you will soon reach the Reiler Bridge, which you will cross for the second time today to cross the Moselle. We continue on Kaiserstrasse to the train station, the end point of this stage.

3. Moselsteig Borjer Ortsbachpädche

This varied circular route begins at the market square in Burgen, first on Baybachstrasse and then crosses the Baybach on a small bridge. In the city, Vorstadtstrasse leads as a path through the gardens and after a short stretch back to Baybachstrasse. Here the path continues for a short distance after crossing the Baybach. On the outskirts of town you come to the Schmausemühle (would you like to take a break?), cross the road and take the safer route on the other side. Continue a short distance to the end of the path, then cross the road again and find yourself on the footbridge over the stream, in the middle of nature! For the next 2 km, the Borjer Ortsbachpädche follows the course of the Baybach, mostly very close to the bank and on a winding path that doesn't leave you bored. The perspective changes with every bend in the road. Information boards tell the story and provide interesting information about the flora and fauna of the Hunsrückbach, which stretches over almost 30 km and is around 400 meters high.

 

The incline that the Borjer Ortsbachpädchen overcomes in the first section is hardly noticeable, as the path climbs gently along the stream. The path leaves the stream in a large meadow with fruit trees, crosses the forest and meets the road again. Just a few more meters next to the road, then the path leaves the Baybachtal. Within sight, but not far from the Borjer Ortsbachpädchen, is the Forellenhof, where you can stop off and fortify yourself for the rest of the hike. The path now climbs a little. In the forest you hike along the local stream. You will soon reach the Waldesruh hut, which is a nice place to take a break, especially on hot days, as you can cool off for a long time by the stream.

Now the steep climb continues. This section also leads into the forest, and when the gradient eases a little, you can relax and enjoy the view of the high forest. At the dwarf hut at the edge of the forest you have completed most of the climb. How about another break at one of the many rest areas?

The path then leads across the open plateau directly to Birkenhof. Here it abruptly changes direction to the right and leads you onto a field path that completely crosses the plateau and offers a wonderful view of the Hunsrück. This view expands into a unique panorama of the village view. On the other side of the Baybachtal you can see many villages in the Hunsrück. A notice board provides further information. When you've seen enough, you can take a detour to Schinderhannes Cave, one of many interesting rock formations. The way there surprises with a fantastic view over the valley towards the castles.

The Borjer Ortsbachpädche now leads over an open slope, then the path slowly descends into the valley and reaches the forest again. We continue downhill on a forest path. Both places offer incredible and spectacular views. You can see the Moselle, Bischofstein Castle on the other side of the valley and of course other castles. On the other side of the Moselle valley slope you can watch paragliders taking off when the weather is good. The path now continues steeply downhill. From the forest path you turn onto a narrower path that still leads downhill. The forest thins out a little and you finally reach the wine-growing area above the village. A staircase leads on Römerstrasse to the outskirts of town. Down the stairs, past the church and you are back at the starting point, the market square. Along the way you will discover several places where you can taste local products.

4. Moselsteig Stage 03: Nittel - Konz

From the starting point of this stage to the train station in Nittel, the signs take you along the wine route through the town to the street "Im Blümchen". From there the path leads along quiet residential streets to the outskirts of the city. After crossing the road, you will find yourself in the middle of vineyards, which will take you on a slightly ascending path to the foot of the Nitteler Cliffs.

On this route you can discover some pieces of the sculpture trail. Most of them are works of art created from the typical Upper Moselle limestone. The path continues past the limestone cliffs. Be sure to take a look up at the impressive rocks and down into the Moselle valley. It goes steeply downhill along a vineyard and then reaches the Nitteler Felsenweg with a moderate incline and a beautiful view over the Moselle valley. A small but worthwhile challenge awaits you here: good footwear and sure-footedness are required on the next section. The path leads close to the edge of the slope, first steeply uphill and then a little slower. But still with a fantastic view of Nittel and the Moselle. The Moselsteig leaves the Nitteler Klippenweg on an open grassy slope. Take the opportunity to admire the river again.

After a short, steep climb you reach the plateau and the landscape changes completely compared to the section you hiked so far. Here you have a wide view of the agricultural areas. The Moselsteig now leads along paths through fields and meadows, sometimes open, sometimes protected by hedges, into the agricultural landscape. The path changes direction several times, goes uphill and downhill and reaches a hill at the edge of the forest. Here you can enjoy the view of Luxembourg again on a deck chair. It goes a short distance along the edge of the forest, then in a parallel direction through the forest.

After a winding path, we continue on a route with wider forest paths, which continue after crossing the country road. At the next intersection you have the option of taking an access road to Temmels (train station). The path continues to the edge of the forest and, after crossing an asphalt road, continues through a small forest. On the edge of the slope you reach the rest area above Fellerich. You have now covered about half of the route to Konz and will be rewarded with a view over Fellerich, Tawern and the Hunsrück.

The path continues at the same height above the Fellerich vineyards. After a curve, you continue at a lower level and you find yourself in the middle of the vineyards with a view of the Albachtal, the next destination, which is not far away. The path leads steeply downhill through the vineyards until you reach Albach. For a while the Moselsteig runs along a flat wooden path parallel to the stream. After crossing a bridge, follow the stream on a narrow path. There is a short stretch on a wider path in the valley floor and then the long, steep climb through the forest to the Löschemer Chapel.

A special experience awaits you halfway up: a detour to the orchid meadow - a true orchid paradise - which is connected to the Moselsteig by a loop (back to the Löschemer chapel). The Wasserliescher mountain nature reserve is a wonderful botanical attraction when it is in bloom. The favorable climate and good soil conditions have meant that a large number of plants and animals, including orchids, have become rare and protected. Admire Germany's largest orchid bed with a total of 28 species, including wild orchids, lizard orchids and yellow gentians.

The main path continues to climb through the forest. Almost at the top, the access road branches off towards Saarburg, with a first stop in Tawern. The path now meanders through a flat forest and after a final stretch reaches the Löschemer Chapel. The chapel is located directly on the edge of the slope and offers a wonderful view: in the east you can see Konz and the Trier Moselle valley, in the north you can see the Eifel on a clear day.

The descent from the chapel initially takes place over a steep "Way of the Cross", followed by a short flat section. The final section is a steep descent. The path now leads through sandstone cliffs and through an impressive beech forest. The Moselsteig trail reaches the outskirts of Wasserliesch on a short forest path. After a short walk through a residential area you reach the railway crossing. From here a path leads to the town center or to Wasserliesch train station.

In the direction of Konz the path continues along the railway line and the country road. After a short stretch on the road, the Moselsteig continues along the little-used railway line. The grassy road turns into a path that winds through dense forest. The path briefly touches the banks of the Saar (only a few meters from the mouth of the Saar), and for a short stretch it goes back into the countryside before continuing over the Saar Bridge to Konz. The access road connects to the roundabout that leads to Konz main train station, the end of this stage.

5. Moselsteig Stage 10: Kesten/Osann-Monzel - Bernkastel-Kues

The starting point for this stage of the Moselsteig is the church of St. Nicholas in Monzel. The access road to Kesten also leads here. Passing several wine cellars, you begin your hike on the outskirts of town and will soon find yourself in the middle of the vineyards! Already on the gentle ridge of the Brauneberg you hike to the Monzeler Kkatze viewpoint. From here you have a direct view of the destination of this stage, Bernkastel-Kues. The path leads from the mountain ridge to the highest slope through the vineyards and always offers exciting views of the Moselle valley. Below the Kammerfelsen the slate rock reaches the path. Here you have the impression that you are hiking almost vertically to the Moselle. Parallel to the ridge path, the Moselsteig leads to a small forest and finally to the Brauneberghütte with its numerous rest areas.

Continue on the ridge path, accompanied by slate cliffs on the left and steep vineyards on the right. The hilly loop lined with vineyards on the other side of the Moselle is particularly impressive. The descent from Brauneberg leads through a forest, and after a short stretch on the access road to Brauneberg you reach the Mülheim bridgehead. The access roads to the nearby wine towns of Maring Noviand and Lieser branch off from here. The Moselsteig continues on a path over the bridge and you will soon find yourself in the center of Mülheim.

You cross the road and reach the vineyards on the outskirts of town. Here the path climbs up to a rest area at the Helenenkloster. From here you have a view over Lieser, on the edge of which there is an impressive castle. The path leads relatively straight ahead, accompanied by dense bushes, over the flat mountain ridge to Bernkastel-Kues. In the side valley of the Goldbach (from where you can also reach Andel via an access road), the Moselsteig continues to climb steeply to the edge of the valley forest. The route continues uphill in the forest to the Andeler Grillhütte, the ideal place for a refreshing break before approaching Bernkastel, the destination of this stage. Enjoy the wonderful view over the Moselle valley.

The rest of the route winds along the forest slope. In serpentines it goes down to steep slate cliffs and the path crosses a stream valley crossed by a gorge. After a short stretch along the vineyard, a beautiful view of the Moselle from the vineyard wall interrupts the forest. The forest section ends at St. Anna Chapel. A large mosaic on the chapel facade attracts our attention. A path leads to the access road to the castle and then continues with a steep climb to the saddle above the town. From here you can take a detour to the castle. You can also return to the youth hostel or follow the access road to Monzelfeld. The last part of this stage now leads via a staircase through the vineyards of the castle hill down to Bernkastel. After a few meters in the city you reach the medieval market square, which is framed by half-timbered houses.

6. Moselsteig stage 20: Treis-Karden - Moselkern

From Treis-Karden train station on St. Kernstrasse starts this beautiful stage towards Moselkern. In town you will soon reach the Basilica of St. Kastor, whose silhouette characterizes Treis-Karden. After crossing the Kernstrasse and the Brohlbach, which flows into the Moselle here, you reach the outskirts of the town. The Moselsteig and Buchsbaumstrasse now both lead uphill. Old vineyard walls line the path. Take time to look around the street and take a look at Treis-Karden and St. Castor - it's worth it! In a narrow side valley, tall boxwood bushes approach the road before reaching the edge of the hill. From here the view over the valley is even better. We continue over a rocky ridge and finally to the Kompeskopf hut.

There follows a short, flat stretch through the forest, but the Moselsteig soon descends again. You reach the Krailsbachschlucht, which is densely overgrown with boxwood the further you descend. The path also becomes rockier and more and more spectacular. Your safety is ensured: You can hold on to the ropes when descending over rocks and steps. You cross the Krailsbach and return to the actual Moselle valley. The path now leads alternately uphill and downhill, dense boxwood bushes alternate with clear views of the valley. Finally you reach the Weinbergsweg, which leads steadily to Müden. The access road forks at a rest area above the village. It leads through the town and further along the Moselle valley to Moselkern.

The Moselsteig turns again towards Eltz Castle before meeting the river again in Moselkern. Now we go back up the steep mountain. The path first leads through a coppice and then into a deciduous forest. Crossing stations accompany the ascent. At the edge of the slope you also reach the edge of the forest, and the path now climbs slightly to the few houses in Müdenerberg. You reach a chapel where the Way of the Cross ends. The Moselsteig first crosses the open plateau next to it and then a short stretch on a road with little traffic. The long descent into the Etztal begins at the edge of the forest and leads past the Rotherhof forester's lodge. Following the forest path, the route continues quickly at a moderate incline. At the point where the path narrows into a path, there is a quiet rest area with a view of Eltz Castle, just a few meters away. Wouldn't this be the perfect place for a delicious picnic? A nice place in the middle of the forest, with a view of the castle and its romantic location in the green Etztal?

The descent continues over a ridge that drops steeply into the Elzbachtal on both sides. At the other end, the Elzbach is crossed by an old stone bridge. From here the Moselsteig leads along the same path as the Eltz Castle Panorama. We continue along the stream to the “Five Hundred Mark View”. The wonderful view of Eltz Castle adorned the back of the 500 mark banknote. You will soon reach the stone bridge that leads to the castle and if you want to enjoy the medieval atmosphere, you should take the time to visit it.

We continue over the steps of the Moselle core to a footbridge that leads back over the Elzbach. The route now runs alternately at higher and lower altitudes on the Elzbach. Shortly before the Ringelsteiner mill you finally reach the creaking plain and take an asphalt path to the mill, an ideal place for your last rest. The remaining stretch at the end of the stage is a pleasant walk. Cross the Elzbach again and here the dream path and the Moselsteig fork. However, the access path to the Moselsteig, which continues to Moselkern, runs along the stream. First you take a path through the narrow valley and then the access road to the Ringelsteiner mill via Moselkern. After the underpass you come to the first vineyards. One more piece and you have reached the end of this stage: Moselkern train station.

7. Pyrmonter Felsensteig dream path

The route begins at the Pyrmonter Mühle parking lot near the roaring waterfalls. The path briefly follows the bypass until it crosses the road and then turns into a quiet forest path. Surrounded by beautiful gorse and hedges, a gentle grass path leads into a small wood before winding through wide fields. Visible from afar, the Sammetzkopf cross soon appears, surrounded by bright rapeseed fields in spring. From here the hiker has a fantastic panoramic view of the region. A gentle path leads to the nearby Juckelberg nature reserve, which contains true natural treasures such as gnarled forest trees and beautifully flowering gorse hedges.

The Hauerhütte offers a short break before the path leads uphill and downhill with wonderful views to the Elzbach. Through a beautiful alder forest, the path follows all the windings of the river and passes the impressive rocks of the "Devil's Chamber". From the natural idyll of the Elztal it is not far to the medieval Pyrmont Castle, which invites you to visit. We continue on a beautiful route into the "Rock Kingdom" with caves and ivy-covered steep walls. Then the descent leads back into the Elztal, with a wonderful view of the castle. On a path through the valley you finally reach the Pyrmont mill, where the circular route ends.

8. Dream path mountain gorge path Ehrenburg

The mountain gorge path starts in Brodenbach and first leads hikers into the Brodenbachtal. Bordered by steep rock faces, you continue along narrow paths and are rewarded with spectacular views. The next step along the Moselle slope leads to a hut where the Moselle lies at the hiker's feet. The next goal is to conquer and cross the Schafberg, from which you have a panoramic view of the entire region. After crossing the long mountain, the path first leads to Nörtershausen and then into the Brodenbachtal.

Untouched nature, steep rocks and secret caves as well as the Donnerloch with its alternation of rocks and bubbling water enchant the hiker. After leaving the valley, the mighty Ehrenburg is the next destination. The Ehrenburg castle sits defiantly on a rocky spur above the Ehrbach ridge and creates a real “medieval atmosphere”. Before the castle bridge, the path crosses the original Ehrenbach valley, first downhill and then uphill. The last section on the Sonnenringpfad leads directly up a steep slope into the Moselle valley. A narrow, winding path leads down to the cenotaph, from where you can get the last view of the Moselle. At Brodenbach the path leads back to the starting point.

9. Hatzenporter Laysteig dream path

The circular route begins at Hatzenport train station. The narrow path leads hikers continuously uphill and rewards them with their first wonderful view. At the nearest weather station, information boards provide a wealth of information on the subject of weather. Close to the vineyards, the path continues idyllically to the east, from where there are magnificent views of the Moselle valley, the church of St. Johannes and Hatzenport surrendered. After a few kilometers you reach the characteristic mountain Rabenlay with its breathtaking views on partially preserved paths.

Here the landscape changes as the road leaves the Moselle valley. The view sweeps over wide fields, and only on the Kreuzlay can you see the shimmering Moselle again. Across the gentle mountain ridges of the Schromberger Thalsberg range, the hiker soon reaches a wonderful forest of gnarled oaks, through which he immerses himself in the magical and quiet Schrumpf Valley. Following the gently flowing Schrumpfbach, the path continues to the Probstmühle on the heights of the Maifeld and finally along the L113 back to the edge of the hill, where the view of the Moselle opens up. Further through the vineyards there is a wonderful view of the Moselle Panorama Trail. Finally, sure-footed hikers can try out the spectacular Dolling via ferrata before reaching their destination in Hatzenport.

10. Dream path Eltz castle panorama

As soon as they leave the village community center in Wierschem, hikers can enjoy the vastness of the Moselle plateau. It goes steadily uphill on natural paths, and at the end you are rewarded with a wonderful view of the steep Elzbachtal and Pyrmont Castle. A little further, through the forest of Count Eltz, you reach the Elzbach, which meanders in countless curves. As it continues, the path meets the Moselhöhenweg, which first leads the hiker across the valley meadows and then up a hill.

Over rugged rocks you have a clear view of the fairytale castle Eltz, which sits on a stone bridge waiting to be conquered. After returning to the Middle Ages, the hiker immerses himself in the beautiful nature and marvels at the diversity of the Elzbachtal and the pretty holm oak forests until the Ringelsteinmühle invites you to take a break. Freshly strengthened, a beautiful but steep climb follows, on which the hiker is rewarded several times with beautiful views and which leads back to the Moselle plateau. Along the edge of the slope, past the Tholeisterhof, the path continues into the quiet valley of the Kernbach, which is followed by an alternation of groups of trees and open fields. When you arrive in Wierschem, it's worth taking a last look at the small St. Antonius Chapel on the edge of the village.