Excursions on the Moselle

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  01

  Cochem Castle and a visit to the town

  Cochem is almost always worth a visit, if only for the Reichsburg castle above the town. Between cafés, restaurants and a shopping street, you can explore the old town with its historic houses, along with the Capuchin monastery and the many hiking trails nearby.

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  02

  Bad Bertrich

  In the spa town of Bad Bertrich, the Römerkessel is a landscaped therapy park designed for peace and nature, but just as good for a relaxed stroll. The Vulkaneifel-Therme is a Glauber's-salt spa that was already used in Roman times. The Kurschattensteig trail winds through the volcanic landscape around the town and demands some fitness, though less practised walkers can manage it too.

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  03

  Kloster Stuben

  Of the former Augustinian canonesses' convent from the 12th century, only the ruins remain today, set among the vineyards opposite the Bremm Calmont, the steepest vineyard in Europe. Whether as the destination of a stroll from Neef, a stage on a longer hike or the backdrop for a picnic on the Moselle bank, Kloster Stuben always has something to offer. In July, it also hosts our evening event “Jung & Steil”.

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  04

  The Nehren Roman tombs

  A visit to Nehren takes you back to Roman times: a burial chamber from the 3rd or 4th century survives there, with vaulted paintings that rank among the best preserved north of the Alps. Two similarly sized burial chambers, each around 3 by 4 metres, can be viewed from above through a balustrade.

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  05

  The Kanonenbahn railway and Prinzenkopfturm tower

  The Kanonenbahn was built in the 1870s as a military railway line and once connected Berlin with France. Two structures on the Moselle still recall it: the oldest double-deck railway bridge, at Bullay, and the Prinzenkopfturm tower, rebuilt several times over the years. Several hiking trails pass both.

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  06

  Burg Arras castle

  Between the villages of Alf and Höllental, Burg Arras rises above the Alf valley. The climb follows well signposted paths, and at the top the view rewards you as far as Bullay and the Prinzenkopfturm, reaching all the way to Zell on clear days. The castle itself now houses a hotel, restaurant and museum.

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  07

  Beilstein

  Beilstein is one of the most romantic spots on the Moselle and is always worth the trip. A castle ruin and a monastery sit above the historic village centre, through which it's lovely to wander, lined with cafés and restaurants.

  A small ferry crosses to the opposite bank, to Poltersdorf and Ellenz.

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  08

  Reil

  Reil rarely makes it into the guidebooks, but it deserves a stop: a lovely riverside promenade and several good restaurants make the small village worth seeing.

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  09

  Traben-Trarbach

  Traben-Trarbach on the middle Moselle impresses with its pedestrian zone, numerous restaurants and the path up to the castle ruin, where a gliding airfield and a climbing forest also await at the top.

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  10

  Bernkastel-Kues

  Anyone visiting towns on the Moselle can hardly avoid two names: Cochem, and Bernkastel-Kues.

  The marketplace makes a good starting point for a stroll through the town's small shops and restaurants, including a wine shop (vinotheque).

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  11

  Trier

  The Porta Nigra, the cathedral, the basilica and the Viehmarkt make Trier one of the oldest cities in the country.

  For a day trip, the city offers strolling, shopping and good food, plus a cultural programme with an open-air stage, a concert hall and other venues.

  You can reach Trier easily by train; if you prefer to drive, you'll enjoy the route along the Moselle.

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  12

  Koblenz

  At the Deutsches Eck, the Moselle flows into the Rhine, and that's also where our river ends: Koblenz.

  As in Trier, the old town's lanes invite you to eat and shop.

  Near the riverside promenade at the Deutsches Eck there's a “Wasserpark” with a beer garden, plus a cable car up to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. You can return on foot along the Rhine or by ferry to the other bank.

Texts and photos: walterjoster.de