Saar, Moselle and Rhine

Bike trail along Saar and Moselle from Saarbrücken to Koblenz

Two rivers with magnificent bike trails: Enjoy the Saar river with its French flair and industrial history, the Völklinger Hütte is part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage today. Then, marvel at the famous “Saar loop”, a spectacular loop in the course of the river. The landscape changes where the Saar river mouths into the Moselle as winegrowing becomes more and more prominent. Along the winding Moselle, the bike trail leads from the Roman town Trier to all the famous places on the Moselle. Follow the wide loops of the river enjoying a great time on your bikes as well as some worthwhile stops. You will discover Bernkastel-Kues, Traben-Trarbach and Cochem to test the light and fruity wines of the Moselle there. You will walk around the narrow streets of the small villages before reaching the “Deutsche Eck” in Koblenz to enjoy a magnificent view across the Rhine valley.

1. day  Arriving in Saarbrücken

Loafing around in Saarbrücken, you will feel the French flair. The traces left by the changing affiliation of the town to either Germany or France can still be witnessed today, also in the local cuisine. For the local population serving escargots, shrimps, or paté and kir or pastis for appetizers is just normal.
The confectionaries with their sweet creations are a real paradise for anyone with a sweet tooth. The St. Johanner Markt with its numerous bars, bistros and restaurants is where the heart of the town beats. Here is the place to meet or to walk around the picturesque narrow streets situated around the market place. Noble boutiques and precious antique shops can be found in between old Baroque houses. We recommend arriving early in Saarbrücken, your bikes will be waiting for you at the hotel.

2. day  Saarbrücken - Mettlach 59 km

From Saarbrücken, the Saar takes you first of all through the former coal mining area and to the town of Saarlouis, still in the style of a French fortress constructed by Vauban today. A stop in Völklingen is an absolute must-do. The Völklinger Hütte is one of 33 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites in Germany and in its importance equal to the Egyptian pyramids, the Chinese Wall, the cathedral of Cologne or the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Visiting the Völklinger Hütte is a real adventure. You will have the chance to walk deep into the dark corridors of the chargers’ hall as well as to climb high up to the viewing platform by the blast furnace. Afterwards, you will follow the splendidly constructed bike trail and the Saar through the beautiful landscape around Merzig until reaching the impressive Saar loop. Here, you should exchange your bikes for walking shoes and walk up to the vantage point ‚Cloef’. After only 30 minutes you will enjoy a spectacular view over the Saar loop and the surrounding landscape!

3. day  Mettlach - Trier 42 km

On the Saar bike trail you will cycle today through wooded landscape to Saarburg via Mettlach. In Saarburg, the majestic castle sits enthroned high above the narrow lanes of the town. A coffee break in the very pretty Old Town will supply you with enough energy for the rest of the stage.
Accompanied by the vestiges of the Romans, you will cross Konz to arrive in Trier. Discover the historical Old Town on your own and do not miss out on the Roman thermal baths or the Porta Nigra.

4. day  Trier - Piesport 46 km

Today, Roman past and contemporary viniculture will meet. The Moselle bike trail leads you to Mehring, where the Villa Rustica waits for your visit. ‘Villa Rustica’ is the designation for a manor in the Roman Empire. Today, the reconstructed walls and foundations can be visited again. You will now cycle to Trittenheim, where a nature trail informs about the man-year of the vine-grower, the local variety of grape and the process of vine-growing. Just before reaching today’s destination, you will pass Neumagen-Dhron, Germany’s oldest wine-growing place! You should stop here to taste some of that wine!

5. day  Piesport - Traben-Trarbach 40 km

The two famous Moselle towns Bernkastel-Kues and Traben-Trarbach and the well-known wine growing resort "Kröver Nacktarsch" are today’s highlight! Marvel at the colorful and manifold half-timbered constructions seaming the market place of Bernkastel-Kues. In Traben-Trarbach, you should take a boat trip.

6. day  Traben-Trarbach - Cochem 56 km

You will discover Enkirch today, a jewel of the Moselle region’s traditional half-timbered architecture. Later on, you will reach Zell, the wine-growing resort with the ‚Zeller Schwarzen Katz’ (‚The Black cat of Zell’). Take a relaxing break in the small town of Beilstein, proud of its surname „Rothenburg an der Mosel“. Then, you will reach Cochem with its picturesque centre and the ancient realm dating from the 11th century.

7. day  Cochem - Koblenz 49 km

Before the Moselle bike trail takes you to the neat wine-growing villages like Koben Gondorf or Winningen and to the Deutsche Eck, you will have the chance to visit the medieval castle of Burg Eltz. Enjoy the wide view over the magnificent valley of the Rhine and be looking forward to a wonderful evening in Koblenz.

8. day  Departing from Koblenz

Your bike trip ends in Koblenz today. Saying good-bye is never easy, especially not to the Saar bike trail and the winding Moselle bike trail. Anyone who wishes to travel back to Saarbrücken should book our shuttle transfer via Treves. It will transport any luggage and the bikes as well. Departure will be at 9a.m., arrival in Saarbrücken around 1.30p.m. If you wish to cycle even longer along the Rhine, you can prolong your trip to Cologne or Mainz.