Moselsteig
Hiking between wine, water, and far-reaching views 🍇🏞️✨
The Moselsteig is a hiking trail that enchants from the very first step. Between Trier and Koblenz, it leads along high rock paths, through gentle wine landscapes and over scenic ridges that repeatedly offer views of the elegant loops of the Moselle River. Hardly any other region combines nature, culture, and indulgence as harmoniously as this beautiful river valley, which has delighted travelers for centuries. Mighty castles are enthroned above you, the Moselle glitters before you, and beside you stretch endless vineyards, which are among Germany's steepest 🍷⛰️.
The journey begins in Trier, Germany's oldest city, where the Porta Nigra, the Cathedral, and the Roman structures impressively show just how much history is rooted in this city 🏛️. From there, the path leads along the foothills of the Eifel and past the Kyll, before the route plunges into the fairy-tale world of the wine villages. On the heights near Traben-Trarbach, it becomes almost alpine when rocky ridges open up spectacular views, before the path leads down into the valleys again. In the evening, the rustic wine taverns tempt visitors with the characterful wines of the region—a "treat" that tastes particularly good after a day of hiking 🍇🍷.
Each stage reveals new nature experiences: the silent beauty of the evergreen boxwood forests, the rocky paths up to the Petersberg, the gentle slopes around the Dortebach valley, or the idyllic half-timbered villages that look as if they have sprung from an old fairy tale 🏘️🌿. A special highlight is a visit to the romantic Moselle village of Beilstein, often referred to as the most beautiful village on the Moselle. And, of course, Eltz Castle must not be missed, a truly magical structure that has stood intact for centuries in the middle of a green side valley 🏰✨. Later in the hike, the path leads to the thousand-year-old Michaelskapelle (Michael's Chapel) and on to the Blumslay viewing platform, which offers a panorama that extends far over the Moselle loops. Again and again, you encounter places where you would prefer to linger to enjoy the peace, the expanse, and the special magic of this region 🌄💚.
The Moselsteig is a certified premium hiking trail and stands for the highest quality, varied routes, and impressive nature experiences. The stages between fourteen and twenty-four kilometers require a certain level of fitness, but can often be shortened or made more leisurely. The mixture of culture and nature, of indulgence and exercise, makes this journey a hiking dream that touches both the heart and the senses ✨🍇🥾. Those who hike the Moselsteig discover a landscape full of character and charm, enjoy the diversity of the wines, experience fascinating views, and feel the special rhythm of the Moselle valley. A hiking week that resonates long after and makes you want more.
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. A stroll through the bustling historic centre is the perfect way to prepare for the upcoming hiking week.
Hotel (example): Hotel Deutscher Hof
Day 2
Trier – Bullay
To start off your holiday you cross the river Mosel and ascend to the colorful sandstone rock located at the Trierer Stadtwald-forest. Along a marvelous high-altitude path with views into the depth onto the river Mosel and views into the distance all the way onto the Hunsrück-mountain range you proceed to Biewer and the Eifel-foothills. You hike through extensive forests and plateaus all the way to the ‚Ehranger Kanzel‘ and downhill to the river Kyll, onwards through the Eifel-forests onwards to Schweich. By train you reach the charming village on the river Mosel Bullay with its numerous inns called ‚Straußwirtschaften‘.
Hotel (example): Feriendomizil am Lindenplatz
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Day 3
Circular walk Bullay
You reach the start of the tour via the legendary Mosel wine railway and cross Germany’s longest hanging viaduct in the art-deco town Traben-Trabach. You ascend on steep terrain to Grevenstein castle and proceed on the ‚Franzosensteig‘-trail via spiral staircases and via ferratas straight through the ruins. Spectacular too is the view into the depth down to the river. An alpine hiking section along the ridge Kirster Grat leads you accompanied with great views to Enkirch, where we highly recommend you visit the historic half-timber houses. Onwards through wine growing areas and the vineyards you proceed to Bullay, where a wine tasting of the best Mosel wines awaits.
Hotel (example): Feriendomizil am Lindenplatz
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Day 4
Bullay – Cochem
Beautiful paths lead you high above the river up Mount Petersberg, where the summit cross offers stupendous views down onto the Mosel river bend. After the descent and the river crossing near Neef you ascend Mount Calmont on the other side. You hike up Europe‘s steepest vineyard, where grapes are grown on an incline of up to 55 degrees. You proceed via a Roman high-altitude settlement with a view onto the rock spire ‚Eller Todesangst‘ past the ‚Galgenlay-Pavillon‘ and reach Cochem by train.
Hotel (example): Hotel Cochemer Jung
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Day 5
Circular walk Cochem
You get to visit Beilstein, the ‚most beautiful of all villages on the river Mosel‘ with its lovely half-timber houses and the Carmelite monastery. You proceed to the Fankel-barrage and continue in close proximity along the Mosel riverbanks. In Bruttig we recommend a break before you ascend again through the ravine of the Kabainerbach-stream. Hiking directly through the hillside vineyards you cross the rocky Brauselay-mountainsides, which steeped in legends tower as a black cliff over the river. In the afternoon you marvel at the Cochem imperial castle this time from the water during a pleasurable boat ride.
Hotel (example): Hotel Cochemer Jung
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Day 6
Cochem – Treis Karden
You ascend to the Pinner-cross, a marvelous rock pulpit located above Cochem, either on foot or by chair lift. Along hiking paths high above the river you proceed to the legendary refuge ‚Wingerts Budche‘. The Dortebachtal-nature reserve, the Pommerer Forest and the via ferrata through the Schilzer-basin provide pleasant walking conditions in the shade. Through green vineyards you reach Mount Martberg, where you can visit a nicely restored Roman temple complex. Narrow trails snake their way through dense woodland down into the valley and into the Day Finish Treis-Karden.
Hotel (example): Schlosshotel Petry
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Day 7
Treis Karden – Löf
The impressive boxtree-trail welcomes you with evergreen forests and steep rock steps. You start from Müden and proceed along historic pilgrim trails into the highlands to the legendary Eltz castle. After a break in the beer garden you 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.
Hotel (example): Hotel Anker
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Day 8
Löf – Kobern Gondorf
Today you cross the river Mosel twice actually. From Alken to the lovely Thurant spur castle and via rocky steep trails you descend to the Michael’s chapel, one of the oldest churches on the river Mosel dating back more than 1000 years. After that you hike through the vines to the pilgrimage church located on Mount Bleidenberg. Best views all the way into the ‚Vulkaneifel‘-area accompany you along this marvellous high-altitude path to Oberfell. Then across a sunny high-plateau to the panoramic cliff Hitzlay - enjoy the view before descending to Niederfell and reach today’s Day Finish via the bridge ‚Moselgoldbrücke‘.
Hotel (example): Hotel Simonis Kobern
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9. Tag
Kobern Gondorf – Koblenz
For the finale again numerous highlights await: the castle ruin of Kobern Niederburg-castle, the Romanesque Matthew-chapel and again and again high-altitude paths with panoramic views. The Blumslay-viewpoint spoils you with spectacular views onto the mighty construction of the Mosel-valley bridge with a height of 136 metres. You continue for a final time through the 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 enjoy the end of your impressive hiking week at the so-called ‚Deutsches Eck‘ (German Corner), the confluence of the rivers Mosel and Rhine.
Hotel (example): Hotel Brenner
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10. Tag
Departure or extension
You can now individually extend your stay on the Moselle and explore the rest on your own, or begin your journey home.
Requirements for hikers
You mainly walk on well-maintained hiking paths and trails, on graveled vineyard paths and remote forest paths. The panoramic paths featuring great views lead you in parts across steep terrain and rocks, here surefootedness 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.
Summary
- Total approx 143 km over 8 hiking days
- 9 nights
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfer
- Panoramic boat trip Cochem
- Wine tasting Moselle wines
- Travel documents and GPS data
- Service hotline
- from 1.149,- € per person
- Transfers not included (approx. €36 per person)
Facts about the Moselsteig
- The Moselle region is Germany’s oldest wine-growing area. The tradition of viticulture was established here by the ancient Romans over 2000 years ago to supply their garrisons with wine.
- Numerous historical sites can be found along the river, including Roman structures in Trier and medieval castles like the Reichsburg Cochem.
- The Moselsteig is a long-distance hiking trail with a total length of 365 kilometers
- The Moselsteig has been awarded the title of "Leading Quality Trail" (European Quality Hiking Trail)
- The highest point of the Moselsteig is the Mehringer Berg, at an altitude of around 419 meters
- The Moselsteig was officially opened in 2014
Climate in the Moselle Region
The Moselle region is characterized by a temperate Central European climate with very special microclimate effects. The deeply incised Moselle valleys act like a heat reservoir: the slopes absorb a lot of solar heat during the day—especially the slate rock faces—and release it again at night. In the Moselle valley, summers are moderately warm, with average daily highs of around 22–23 °C in the hottest months. Winters are relatively mild, with nights occasionally bringing frost, but rarely dropping permanently below freezing. Annual precipitation ranges between 550 and 1,000 mm, depending on the slope's location. The duration of sunshine is quite high, as the steep, sunny slopes absorb a lot of direct radiation. This makes the Moselle valley one of Germany's warmer and sunnier regions. The best time for a hike or a leisurely holiday along the Moselle is from late spring to early autumn, when the weather is most pleasant, the vineyards are in full bloom, and the mild climate is ideal for exploring.
Cuisine on the Moselle
Moselle cuisine is shaped by a centuries-old wine tradition. Riesling, Elbling, and even the vineyard peach are found not only in the glass but also in the kitchen. The region is known for dishes that are both creative and down-to-earth, in which wine, distillates like pomace (Trester), and typical fruit liqueurs play an important role. A classic of Moselle cuisine is the so-called Tresterfleisch: tender meat that is leisurely cooked in a broth made from grape pomace (the pressed residues of winemaking). The result is particularly aromatic and combines meat and wine in one dish. Hearty stews are also very popular, such as Tertich (or Cräwes), with bacon, potatoes, sauerkraut, and a splash of wine. In addition to hearty dishes, the Moselle towns also offer modern, light delights: tapas-like small plates with a regional touch, such as grape jelly, cheese, a Riesling foam soup, or bread with walnuts, are perfect for a sociable break in the vineyard. For those with a sweet tooth, there are typical regional desserts where wine or liqueurs are used in sauces, jellies, or desserts. Moselle cuisine is a real experience for all the senses: traditional aromas, strong connections to wine, and creative reinterpretations combine to create an indulgent whole.