The Moselle Trail
- Walk from inn to inn through the Moselle Valley; Germany’s wine paradise
- Follow the Moselsteig; voted one of Germany’s ‘Most Beautiful’ walking trails
- Explore towns sprinkled with half-timbered houses, Roman ruins and castles
- Hike on peaceful trails through forest and vineyards, high above the river
- Stay in family-run wineries where you can relax with a glass of local Riesling
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in TrierWelcome to Trier, Germany’s oldest city! Easily accessible by train from Frankfurt (3.5 hours) or Luxembourg (35 minutes) airports. Trier was established by the Romans and to this day it is a treasure trove of Roman ruins.
Wander the old town and visit the Porta Nigra, the last of the city gates, and the Kaiserthermen, the imperial Roman baths. If you would like to explore Trier further, we recommend adding an additional night here to explore further. Aside from its Roman origins, it is also the birthplace of Karl Marx and home to the oldest cathedral in Germany, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Hotel Porta Nigra is ideally and centrally located, opposite Trier's landmark, the Porta Nigra. It is a true traditional house and with its location in Paulinstraße it is perfect for exploring Germany's oldest city.
The Stadtwaldhotel was extended in 2012, lovingly renovated and modernised. The rooms are all comfortably furnished and have a TV, telephone and free Wi-Fi.
And so begins your Moselle Trail adventure. Fuel up on a typical German breakfast of eggs, fresh bread rolls, cheese and ham. Today’s trail is undulating and varied, but highly rewarding. Ascend steep open trails, through forests and past orchards. Pause along the way to catch your breath and take in panoramic views of the lush Moselle Valley beneath you.
Walk to the small town of Schweich. Nestled on the bank of the Moselle, Schweich is a historic Roman wine route town. Why not visit the Niederprümer Hof, a former farm which is now a cultural centre, complete with a wine cellar where you can enjoy a wine tasting or two.
Ascent/Descent: 560m / 570m
This family-run hotel is centrally located in Schweich and within a 10-minute walk you can reach the banks of the Moselle for a relaxing evening stroll.
This family-run hotel is located in the centre of Schweich, the gateway to the Middle Moselle, where you will find rest and relaxation. In the hotel's own restaurant you can savour and sample regional specialities.
Mittlers Restaurant Hotel is located directly on the Moselle in the town of Schweich.
Ascend the slopes of the Moselle river bank on a serpentine trail as it winds uphill. You are surrounded by panoramic views of the glistening Moselle river and its meadows covered with vineyards. Enjoy a picnic at one of the benches along the way, the perfect spot for a breather. Finally come to the Huxlay Plateau before descending through vines to Mehring, an authentic Moselland town.
Spend the evening sampling local regional dishes at one of Mehring’s restaurants. Hearty, meaty food is the order of the day, washed down with a glass of delicious white wine.
Ascent/Descent: 320m / 330m
The guest house is family-run and offers a small terrace and a garden. The rooms are equipped with TV, hairdryer and free Wi-Fi. In the lounge you can relax by the fireplace.
The cosy guesthouse and restaurant is situated in a quiet location near the centre of Mehring - the beautiful wine and holiday resort on the picturesque Moselle.
The family-run winery offers in a long tradition of growing grapes and making wine, especially Riesling. In addition to the winery, the family leads a guest house. The rooms are bright and friendly with a private bathroom. They have a TV, a balcony and free Wi-Fi.
After a short stretch through the town, the ascent begins. Today’s highlight is without a doubt the 20m high observation tower. From here you can enjoy the wonderful Five Lakes View, so-called as the Moselle river appears to be 5 separate bodies of water.
The trail continues through a sea of vineyards down to the village of Leiwen. Why not visit the Sektgut St. Laurentius where you can sample a selection of highly-regarded sparkling ‘Sekt’ wines.
Ascent/Descent: 430m / 430m
The family-run guesthouse offers a rich breakfast with home-made delicacies and local produce. All guest rooms are individually and stylishly furnished and offer you a comfortable ambience. They are equipped with an en suite bathroom, a hairdryer and a TV.
The 4-star guesthouse is family-run and offers simply furnished rooms with TV, safe and hairdryer.
This accommodation is located in a traditional building, and on the premises they also produce wine. You can sample some of the wines on the evening of your stay. The accommodation is located on the Mosel River and a short distance from the town center.
Today’s stage offers far-reaching views even beyond the Moselland. Walk through renowned wine-growing areas such as ‘Trittenheimer-Apotheke’ and ‘Neumagener Rosengärtchen.
Finish the day in Neumagen-Dhron, home to the ‘Stella Noviomagi’, a Roman-style wine boat which has been built to original plans. Take a cruise on the river Moselle and experience the valley from another perspective.
Ascent/Descent: 330m / 330m
Situated on the Moselle, this historic estate was built in 1730 by the Baron of Warsberg. Since 1840, the beautiful manor house has been owned by the Krebs winegrowing family
Centrally located in the town and not far from the Moselle, you will spend the night in this beautiful hotel in a historical villa from the year 1700.
Stay at the historic Lehner-Veit winery, which is located in the beautiful Moselle town of Piesport on the Moselle. The family's wine-growing tradition dates back to 1653.
After a leisurely breakfast, ascend through a maze of carefully maintained vineyards. Be sure to pause on the way up to catch your breath and take in the surrounding valley views. Continue through mixed beech forests, across meadows and past stone walls before reaching a Roman-era spring. Enjoy a refreshing drink straight from the source!.
Tonight you will be staying in Kesten or Osann-Monzel (depending on availability). Both are small wine towns, nestled on the sunny left bank of the Moselle.
Ascent/Descent: 430m / 370m
This modern hotel with a family atmosphere offers comfortable facilities, a family-owned, traditional wine estate, a show distillery and a sauna. The restaurant serves fresh and local produce.
The winery, which has been family-run since 1688, is located on the outskirts of the wine-growing community of Osann-Monzel, which lies above the steep Moselle slopes of the Middle Moselle. They have a few comfortable guest rooms, allow you the wonderful experience of staying on this historic wine estate.
Adjacent to the wine press is the modern and inviting Marietta Guest House, which was completed in 2009 to a 4-star standard.
Leave the wine paradise of Kesten or Osann-Monzel by way of the Baroque church of St. Nikolaus and make your way through extensive vineyards to a viewpoint where you can catch a glimpse of the week’s objective; Bernkastel Kues and the emblematic castle ruins of Burg Landshut. Steep vineyards and jagged rock dominate the landscape here. Continue through woodland to reach Bernkastel Kues, your final destination.
An historic market town filled with colourful half-timbered houses, it’s the perfect place to finish your tour. Enjoy a well-earned meal and toast a glass of Riesling or locally brewed beer to your Moselle adventure.
Ascent/Descent: 430m / 430m
The Burgblick Hotel is centrally located on the edge of the Moselle with a beautiful panorama. The hotel offers modern furnished rooms.
The tastefully furnished rooms invite you to feel at home. They were renovated in 2014 and all have a TV and free Wi-Fi. The on-site restaurant serves regional specialties.
The Moselhotel Sonnenuhr welcomes you in a unique waterfront location directly on the Moselle, not far from Bernkastel-Kues and overlooking the vineyards.
From Bernkastel– Kues, you can easily reach any other German destination or airport by train. If you have more time to explore, why not consider one of our other walking tours in Germany.
This trip has a carbon score of 8kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 8kg is equivalent to 12 pints of local beer at the bar. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?This tour is perfect for long-distance trail connoisseurs, or those looking for a classic hotel-to-hotel itinerary with varied landscapes of vineyards, forest and river valleys with excellent waymarking. Graded easy to moderate, you should be happy to walk on steep ascents/descents of approx. 400m a day and be sure-footed. Relax at the end of the day in authentic, family-run hotels, guesthouses and unique wineries-the best way to get to know the hospitality and culture of the Moselland.
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This trip is graded ‘easy to moderate' overall. The longest day is 19km, and the average daily ascent/descent is around 500m. The trails are undulating with some steep sections. You should be in good physical fitness and have a head for heights to fully enjoy the walking on this tour. The terrain is a mixture of wide forest paths, trails through fields, and narrow hiking trails. Some trails can become slippery after rain, so we recommend boots/shoes with a good soles and walking poles. Very occasionally, you will be walking on pavement and paved quiet country roads. There are some rocky sections which have handrails to aid ascent/descent. There is also one short, easy section of ‘Via Ferrata’ (optional with the official trail next to it) which can be completed without Via Ferrata equipment. If you prefer to avoid this, there is an alternative route right next to it.
You should be in good physical fitness and have a head for heights to fully enjoy the walking on this tour. The trails are undulating with some steep sections.
Spend 7 nights in good quality 2-3* standard small hotels and privately owned wineries. We have chosen properties that we believe give the best insight into the hospitality and culture of the region, as well as giving a warm welcome to walkers. Staying in a winery or ‘Weingut’ in German, is a particular highlight, unique to wine-growing regions. Please be aware that twin & double rooms in Germany (Doppelzimmer in German) are typically 2 single mattresses side by side in one double bed frame with two separate duvet covers and pillows. A list of our preferred/usual accommodation choices is given below, however these are subject to availability and particularly in peak season can be very much in demand. If unavailable then we will book you into accommodation of the same or a higher standard.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
This trip is available to solo walkers and a supplement is payable as some of the costs are not shared. Single rooms are available should some of your party wish to have their own room and a single supplement is again then payable.
Meals
7 Breakfasts are included. Packed lunches are available from your accommodation (order the night before) or you can stop on the way; there are plenty of biergarten and kiosks to satisfy your thirst and appetite! Dinners are not included but available at all overnight accommodation or close by.
The route is well waymarked. We also provide you with detailed turn-by-turn route notes and maps. You will also have access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App enabling you to follow the route using your phone's GPS so you will have no problems finding the way. You can simply download the GPX tracks to your phone for offline use and off you go!
- 7 Nights in hand-picked 2-3* star small hotels, guesthouses and country inns
- 7 Breakfasts
- Daily door to door luggage transfers
- Detailed route descriptions with maps and a comprehensive pre-departure information pack
- Access to our smartphone App
- 24/7 telephone support from our German and UK offices
- Flights and travel to Trier and from Bernkastel-Kues
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel Insurance
- Taxi transfers or public transportation if you wish to shorten a walk
- Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc
- Any items not specifically mentioned in the program
- Additional nights during the holiday
You can start this walking tour anytime between March and November. Availability in the autumn can be tricky, due to the grape harvest. If you wish to travel in the months of September/October, we recommend booking as early as possible.
The weather in the Moselle region is changeable. Very hot days are often followed by rain and thunderstorms. Therefore you should be prepared for all weather eventualities. Check the weather report each day locally before setting off for your hike.
From Luxembourg airport you can take a direct bus to Trier which takes 35 minutes (frequency; every three hours). Mobiliteit for timetables and tickets. From Frankfurt take a train via Koblenz to Trier, which takes approx. 3.5 hours (frequent departures). Check www.bahn.de for timetables and tickets.
Take the bus (every 30 minutes) from Bernkastel Kues to Wittlich train station. From here you can take a train to any other German destination or airport, or continue on to other European destinations.
Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all the necessary items, for example, proper rain gear, sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has detailed advice and a kit list on what to take. This includes good waterproof gear, walking shoes/boots, and lots of other useful bits and bobs.
Wine Tastings
Wine tastings are possible at the wineries you will be staying in. The proprietors require advance notice and any tastings should be requested in advance. Along the trail you may also pass wineries and shops that offer wine tastings, these can usually be done spontaneously. Usually, there is a small fee if no purchases are made.
In your information pack you will find a detailed packing list which includes walking boots, walking poles and waterproof clothes amongst other things.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
You can enjoy this tour from March to early November. Spring is great as blossoms are on the trees, and we also particularly love later in the season, when the autumn colours of the Moselle are simply stunning.
You can use public transport or a local taxi to continue to your next overnight stop. Your accommodations will be able to help with arrangements, or we are able to assist you from our German and UK office.
-
WalkingWhere is the Black Forest?Read More1 Min Read11 March 2019
-
WalkingAdventure of the Week: Across the Tyrolean AlpsRead More3 Min Read18 April 2018
-
WalkingAdventure of the Week: E5 Alpine CrossingRead More3 Min Read28 March 2018
-
CyclingThe Moments Which Define an Adventure in GermanyRead More2 Min Read04 March 2018
-
Walking5 Reasons to walk the King Ludwig WayRead More2 Min Read03 November 2017
-
WalkingTop Tips for Walking in the RainRead More2 Min Read25 September 2017
-
WalkingThree of the best summer walking bootsRead More2 Min Read16 June 2017
-
WalkingWalk of the Week: The King Ludwig WayRead More2 Min Read23 November 2016
-
Cycling26 interesting facts about GermanyRead More2 Min Read03 November 2016
-
Walk of the Week: Saxon & Bohemian SwitzerlandRead More2 Min Read02 November 2016
-
WalkingThis Week on Instagram: Germany, Cornwall & NorwayRead More1 Min Read15 April 2016
-
WalkingThe 5 Best Places to Walk or Hike in JulyRead More2 Min Read13 June 2014
-
Walking5 Good reasons to spend a holiday in Germany (by a German!)Read More3 Min Read11 April 2014
-
Adventure of The Week: Bavarian Alps: Hiking the Salt TrailRead More3 Min Read04 September 2019
-
WalkingHolidays in Times of the Coronavirus – Anja’s Trip to Bavaria & Tyrol!Read More3 Min Read03 July 2020
-
WalkingWhat is Walpurgisnacht?Read More2 Min Read12 November 2020
-
Meeting the people behind the scenery - Minna & Classic RoutesRead More2 Min Read01 February 2023
-
Save %7 Days 6 Nights
The Moselle Cycle Path
Relaxed cycling through Germany's most famous wine region along the banks of the Moselle River.Highlights- Discover German's famous wine growing region
- Wonderful scenery, medieval towns and castles
- Relaxed cycling along the Moselle River
-
Save %8 Days 7 Nights
Castles of the Romantic Rhine
Walk along the Rhine Valley on one of Germany's Top Trails; the RheinsteigHighlights- Walk from Koblenz to Rüdesheim on scenic trails
- Picturesque villages and historic hilltop fortress
- Relax with a locally produced Riesling
-
Save %7 Days 6 Nights
Loire Valley: The Châteaux Trail
Walk through the beautiful Loire valley, taking in the grand Châteaux de la Loire along the wayHighlights- Easy-going walking in the peaceful Loire Valley
- Wine-tasting in famous vineyards, such as Sancerre
- Classic chateaux of Chenonceau, Chinon and Amboise