The Moselle – 544 kilometers of river, 311 kilometers of cycle path, countless vineyards, medieval castles, and picturesque wine villages. The Moselle Cycle Path from Koblenz to Luxembourg (or vice versa!) is one of Germany’s most popular cycling routes. Why? Because it’s virtually flat, perfectly maintained, runs through stunning wine country, and every few kilometers invites you to stop at a wine tavern or historic town.

Whether you’re planning a relaxed weekend tour, want to cycle the complete week along the Moselle, or even combine Moselle with Rhine or Saar – this complete Moselle Cycle Path guide shows you everything: The best stages, where to stay (hotels, vacation rentals at wineries, camping), when the wine festivals take place, where to rent eBikes or get your bike repaired, and how to plan your tour best.

Get on your bike and discover one of Europe’s most beautiful wine regions!

Why the Moselle Cycle Path? The Highlights

1. Virtually Flat – Perfect for Leisure Cyclists:

The Moselle Cycle Path follows the river without significant climbs. Ideal for families, leisure cyclists, older riders. With an eBike it’s even more relaxed! Even untrained cyclists easily manage 40-60 km per day.

2. Excellently Developed – No Navigation Needed:

Continuously paved or surfaced paths, perfect signage, no dangerous road sections. You can focus entirely on the landscape instead of navigation.

3. Wine Culture Pure – Riesling Enjoyment Included:

The Moselle is one of the world’s best Riesling regions! Hundreds of wineries, straußwirtschaften (seasonal wine taverns), wine shops. After each stage a glass of Moselle Riesling – perfect!

4. Castles & Historic Towns:

Imperial Castle Cochem, Eltz Castle (detour worthwhile!), historic old towns in Bernkastel-Kues and Trier (Germany’s oldest city, UNESCO World Heritage!). Culture and nature perfectly combined.

5. Flexibly Combinable:

Moselle + Rhine (at Koblenz), Moselle + Saar (at Konz/Trier), just Middle Moselle (most beautiful section) – you decide!

6. Perfect Infrastructure:

Numerous bike shops, eBike rental stations, cyclist-friendly hotels, luggage transport services. Cycling on the Moselle is comfortable!

The Route: From Koblenz to Luxembourg (or Vice Versa)

Total Route: Koblenz – Trier – Luxembourg

• Distance: Approx. 240 km (German Moselle from Koblenz to Trier approx. 195 km, Trier to Luxembourg approx. 45 km)
• Duration: 5-7 days (relaxed pace), 3-4 days (sporty)
• Direction: Both directions possible! Upstream (Koblenz → Luxembourg) has slight tailwind advantage, downstream (Luxembourg → Koblenz) psychologically more pleasant (downhill feeling).

Recommended Stages (7-Day Tour)

Day 1: Koblenz – Cochem (51 km)

Start at the Deutsches Eck (confluence Rhine-Moselle), through the terraced Moselle, past castles, destination: Cochem with its imposing Imperial Castle. First stage with beautiful views.

Day 2: Cochem – Zell (44 km)

Through increasingly narrow Moselle loops, past Beilstein (most beautiful village!), destination: Zell with the famous “Schwarze Katz” vineyard. Medium-difficulty stage.

Day 3: Zell – Traben-Trarbach (30 km)

Short stage! Ideal for wine tasting along the way. Traben-Trarbach: Art Nouveau town, underground tours, many wineries. Enjoyment day!

Day 4: Traben-Trarbach – Bernkastel-Kues (23 km)

Another short stage through dream landscape: Piesport, Brauneberg (top wine sites!), destination: Bernkastel-Kues, THE Moselle town. Medieval market square, perfect for strolling.

Day 5: Bernkastel-Kues – Schweich (50 km)

Longer stage through less touristy sections. Schweich: Gateway to wine region, quieter town.

Day 6: Schweich – Trier (26 km)

Short final stage to Trier! Time for city sightseeing: Porta Nigra, Cathedral, Imperial Baths, Constantine Basilica (all UNESCO!). Definitely plan time!

Day 7: Trier – Luxembourg (border) (45 km)

Optional: Continue to Luxembourg City or stay in Trier. Route to border flat and relaxed, from border it gets hillier.

Hotels on the Moselle – Our Recommendations

Cochem – Gateway to the Middle Moselle

Hotel Lohspeicher: 4-star hotel directly on the Moselle, historic building (former tanner’s tower from 1832), modern rooms with river view, wellness area. Central location in Cochem. Cyclist-friendly (lockable bike room, drying room). What makes it special: Historic charm + modern amenities + perfect location.

Hotel Karl Noss: Family-run 3-star hotel in Cochem, cozy, good breakfast, fair price. Cyclists welcome. What makes it special: Personal service, good price-quality ratio.

Traben-Trarbach – Art Nouveau Pearl

Moselschlösschen: Romantic 4-star hotel, Art Nouveau facade, directly on the Moselle, pool, sauna. High standard. What makes it special: Most beautiful hotel in Traben-Trarbach, great atmosphere.

Weinhotel Ayler Kupp: Small hotel directly at the winery! Own vineyards, wine tastings possible. What makes it special: Authentic winery experience.

Zell – Center of the Moselle

Hotel Nicolay zur Post: Traditional hotel in Zell, central at market square, renovated, good cuisine. What makes it special: Central location, traditional ambiance.

Zur Glocke: 3-star guesthouse, family-run, directly on the Moselle riverbank. Budget-friendly. What makes it special: Affordable, good Moselle cuisine.

Bernkastel-Kues – The Moselle Jewel

Hotel Zur Post: 4-star-Superior directly at market square (historic half-timbered houses all around!), elegant rooms, Michelin restaurant. Luxury option. What makes it special: Best location in Bernkastel, top gastronomy.

Moselromantik-Hotel Thul: Quiet 3-star hotel above Bernkastel, beautiful view over the town. What makes it special: Peace + view.

Trier – The Roman City

Hotel Villa Hügel: 4-star hotel in quiet location with view of Trier, pool, good cuisine. What makes it special: Peace + view of historic city.

Hotel Deutscher Hof: 3-star hotel very central (5 min to Porta Nigra), traditional. What makes it special: Perfect location for city sightseeing.

Vacation Rentals on the Moselle – Stay at a Winery

Vacation rentals are very popular on the Moselle – especially at wineries! You stay directly at the wine estate, often get wine tastings, buy directly from the source. It doesn’t get more authentic!

Advantages of Winery Vacation Rentals

• Cheaper: Vacation rentals often 30-50% cheaper than hotels
• Authentic: Real winery life, vineyards at your doorstep
• Wine tasting included: Many wineries offer guests complimentary tastings
• Buy wine directly: No middlemen, best prices
• More space: Kitchen, living room, often terrace with vineyard view

Best Places for Winery Vacation Rentals

Bernkastel-Kues: Many wineries with vacation rentals in surrounding wine villages (Wehlen, Graach, Ürzig).

Brauneberg: Smaller wine village with top sites, several wineries rent apartments.

Piesport: Also many vacation rentals directly at wine estates.

Zeltingen-Rachtig: Large wine village, lots of choice.

Where to Find Vacation Rentals

• ferienhaus.guide: Direct contact with owners, fair prices, also winery rentals

Camping & Motorhome Sites on the Moselle

The Moselle is perfect for camping! Numerous campsites directly on the river, often with vineyards in the background. Also many motorhome parking areas.

Top Campsites

Camping Cochem: Directly on the Moselle, view of Imperial Castle, modern sanitary facilities, restaurant. Very popular (book early!).

Camping Rissbach (Traben-Trarbach): Family site, Moselle riverside, quiet.

Camping Fuussekaul (Wasserbillig, Luxembourg): Large site just across German border, modern, pool.

Knaus Campingpark Burgen (Bernkastel-Kues): Large comfort site, pool, animation, for families.

Motorhome Parking Areas

Almost every Moselle village now has motorhome parking! Often directly on the Moselle riverbank, with supply/disposal. Cost: €8-15/night. Particularly nice:

• Zell: Motorhome parking on Moselle riverbank, central
• Bernkastel-Kues: Large motorhome parking on Moselle riverbank
• Piesport: Small motorhome parking, idyllic
• Trier: Several motorhome parking areas, also central

eBike Rental & Bike Shops on the Moselle

Don’t want to bring your own bike? No problem! On the Moselle there are numerous eBike rental stations and bike shops.

eBike Rental Stations

Velodocs in Zeltingen-Rachtig:

One of the best eBike rental services on the Moselle! Large selection of high-quality eBikes (Bosch motor), perfect service, centrally located. Ideal starting point for Moselle tours (Zeltingen = middle of Middle Moselle). Also repair service. Reservation recommended!

Other Rental Services:

• Moselle Cycle Path Rental in Cochem
• eBike Station Bernkastel-Kues
• Various hotels also offer eBike rental (ask!)

Costs: eBike rental approx. €25-35/day, discounts from 3+ days. One-way rental often possible (return bike at different station).

Bike Shops & Workshops for Repairs

Flat tire? Gears misaligned? No problem – these bike shops help:

Fahrrad Stemper (Cochem): Large bike shop, workshop, spare parts, expert advice. Central in Cochem.

Monz Fahrradwelten (Koblenz): Large dealer in Koblenz, perfect for tour start/end. Sales, rental, repairs.

Velodocs (Zeltingen-Rachtig): Not just rental, also workshop! All types of repairs, fast service.

Intersport Plum (Trier): Large sports store with extensive bicycle department in Trier, wide range of bikes and accessories, centrally located. No repair service, sales only.

Klaus Buchartz (Traben-Trarbach): Local bike shop, workshop, spare parts.

Zweirad Klaus (Zell): Bike shop in Zell, repairs, accessories.

Rad und Funsport (Bernkastel-Kues): Bike dealer, rental, workshop.

Wine Festivals on the Moselle – When & Where?

The Moselle celebrates its wines! From May to October almost every weekend a wine festival in some village. Perfect for combining cycling tour with wine festival!

Car Rental from Frankfurt-Hahn Airport

Flying to Frankfurt-Hahn Airport (closer to Moselle than Frankfurt Main!)? There you can pick up a rental car and drive to the Moselle.

Car Rental at Hahn Airport

Available Providers: Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise. Directly at terminal.

Costs: Small car from approx. €30-50/day, depending on season and booking time.

Driving Time Hahn → Moselle:

• Hahn → Bernkastel-Kues: approx. 45 min (50 km)
• Hahn → Traben-Trarbach: approx. 35 min (40 km)
• Hahn → Cochem: approx. 60 min (70 km)

Tip: If planning a cycling tour, bring your bike to starting point, park there (many hotels offer parking), cycle the tour, then pick up car again. Or: Use luggage transport services and leave your car at destination.

Alternative: Train to the Moselle

Good train connections to Koblenz, Cochem, Bullay (change for Zell, Traben-Trarbach), Wittlich (change for Bernkastel). From there continue by bus or taxi. Bike transport on regional trains usually no problem (bike ticket required).

Practical Tips for Your Moselle Cycling Tour

Best Travel Time

• May-June: Perfect! 18-24°C, vineyards green, fewer tourists, hotels cheaper. Nature at its best!
• July-August: Warm (25-30°C), crowded (school holidays!), more expensive. Many wine festivals! If so, then August (less hot than July).
• September: Ideal! 20-25°C, grape harvest time, golden vineyards, wine festivals, less crowded than summer. Best Moselle time!
• October: Also nice, 15-20°C, autumn colors, quiet. Some hotels already closed.
• November-April: Too cold, many hotels/restaurants closed, no cycling weather.

Daily Stages & Fitness

• Beginners/Leisure cyclists: 30-40 km/day, many breaks, wine tastings
• Normal fitness: 50-70 km/day, relaxed pace
• Sporty: 80-100 km/day, complete route in 3 days
• With eBike: +20-30% more distance possible

Luggage Transport

Don’t want to cycle with full luggage? Use luggage transport services!

• Cycle Path Tours: Organized service, brings luggage from hotel to hotel
• Many hotels: Offer own luggage transport (ask!)
• Costs: Approx. €8-12 per piece of luggage per route

This way you cycle only with small bag (water, snacks, jacket) – much more relaxed!

What to Pack?

• Cycling clothing (padded shorts!), helmet, sunglasses
• Rain jacket (Moselle weather can be changeable)
• Sunscreen, water bottle
• Small repair kit (tube, patches, pump, multi-tool)
• Comfortable shoes for evenings (not just cycling shoes!)
• Wine tasting mood!

Combination Possibilities

Moselle + Rhine

Start in Koblenz: First Rhine Cycle Path southward (Rüdesheim, Bingen, Bacharach – also beautiful!), then back to Koblenz and Moselle Cycle Path. Or vice versa. Perfect for 10-14 days!

Moselle + Saar

At Konz (shortly before Trier) the Saar flows into the Moselle. Saar Cycle Path is also stunning! Moselle to Trier, then Saar upstream towards Saarburg, Mettlach (Saar Loop!). Combination makes 8-10 days.

Just Middle Moselle (Weekend)

Arrive Friday (e.g., Zell or Bernkastel), Saturday round tour (40-50 km), Sunday return. Perfect for extended weekend without stress!

Conclusion: The Moselle – Cycling, Wine & Enjoyment

The Moselle Cycle Path is rightly one of Germany’s most popular cycle paths: Virtually flat, perfectly developed, through stunning wine landscape, with countless cultural highlights. Whether relaxed weekend tour, classic week Koblenz-Trier, or ambitious combination with Rhine or Saar – the Moselle offers something for every cyclist.

The infrastructure is perfect: Numerous hotels, authentic vacation rentals at wineries, campsites by the river. eBike rental services and bike shops around every corner. And the best: After each stage a glass of Moselle Riesling awaits in a cozy wine tavern or directly at the winery. Combine your tour with one of the many wine festivals, and you’ll experience the Moselle at its finest.

So: Get on your bike, cycle along the Moselle, taste Riesling, discover historic towns, stay overnight in vineyards – perfect vacation!

Happy cycling on the Moselle! 

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