I have been working on the Moselle region for Velociped-Fahrradreisen for over a year now. So I was all the more delighted when I finally had the opportunity to discover the Moselle by bike myself.
I was excited as soon as I arrived: what would the hotels be like that we select so carefully for our guests? I was looking forward to checking in myself at the places where our cycle tourists usually stay. I was just as curious about the comfort of our rental bikes and what the quality of the cycle paths would be like “in real life.” I also wanted to experience the luggage transfer and return transfer from a traveler's perspective—after all, it's often these details that make a cycling trip relaxed and complete.
My dad and I begin our trip to the Moselle with our arrival in Koblenz, where we board our pre-booked transfer to Trier. The comfortable transfer takes us directly to the heart of Germany's oldest city. After arriving in Trier, we drop off our luggage at the Vienna House and set off on our first tour of discovery. The Porta Nigra impresses us as the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps. A city tour by bus gives us a comprehensive overview of the many sights, including the amphitheater and the imperial baths. Afterwards, we stroll through the city center and end the day at the vegan Vietnamese restaurant “Loy vegan.”
On the second day, we get on our bikes for the first time and retrieve them from the hotel's underground parking garage under cloudy skies. We pass Germany's oldest bridge, the Römerbrücke. The route takes us to Piesport, always along the Moselle, nestled between vineyards and wooded slopes. The gentle splashing of the Moselle accompanies us on our way. The bike paths are well developed and pleasant to ride on, and many of the trees along the way are in beautiful bloom. In Piesport, we reach our destination for the day and check into the Hotel Lehnert-Veit, a charming establishment with excellent wine.
On the third day, the sun is shining brightly, and we set off for Zeltingen. The ride through the rolling Moselle countryside is a delight—past vineyards, small wine-growing villages, and old estates. Shortly before Lieser, the view opens up to the imposing Lieser Castle, which towers majestically over the river. In Bernkastel-Kues, we take a longer break to stroll through the romantic old town with its half-timbered houses. The narrow streets, historic squares, and vibrant atmosphere give us an authentic impression of this wine town. In the afternoon, we continue on to Machern Abbey. There, we explore the lovingly tended abbey garden and soak up the historic atmosphere. In the monastery brewery, we enjoy a non-alcoholic shandy before continuing on to Zeltingen. Finally, we reach the Zeltinger Hof, our hotel, where we enjoy a very special culinary experience in the evening: the 4-course WeinWand dinner with accompanying wines – a true feast for all the senses and also available in a vegan version upon advance reservation.
On the fourth day, we cycle on towards Zell. The first stage takes us to Traben-Trarbach. Here we visit the impressive Buddha Museum with over 2,000 exhibits from Asia – an unexpected highlight in the middle of the Moselle region. Afterwards, we explore Traben-Trarbach on foot and find a small patisserie called “Die Eismanufaktur” right on the Moselle. We use this as a place to take a short break and escape a rain shower. We then continue on to Zell, a lively wine village best known for its “Zeller Schwarze Katz” wine. On a tour of the town, we learn more about the origins of this famous wine and discover a charming shop selling local products, the “Genusswerk.” The day ends in style with a glass of this very wine at the “Quo vadis” restaurant before we return to the Hotel Weinhaus Mayer.
On the fifth day, the weather is cloudy but mostly dry. The stage takes us to Treis-Karden. On the way, we make a long stop in Cochem. We are greeted by blossoming trees along the Moselle. The old town with its small shops, the beautiful Moselle promenade, and the view of the Reichsburg castle invite us to linger. A short tour gives us an impression of the town's history. Then we continue to Treis-Karden, where we spend the night at the Pension Luna – cozy and friendly.
The sixth day begins rainy. We decide to cover the last stage to Koblenz by train. The train station in Treis-Karden is easily accessible by bike and trains run regularly. Once we arrive in Koblenz, we explore the city during a brief break in the rain. We are constantly accompanied by beautifully landscaped flower beds. The rain intensifies, so we stroll around a shopping center before cycling to our hotel, the Hohenstaufen. For dinner, during another break in the rain, we walk a few minutes to the Italian restaurant L'Osteria. There we spend a relaxing evening and reflect on our trip. The next morning, after breakfast, we set off on our journey home to Marburg and retrieve our car from the underground car park at the train station, which is only a few minutes' walk from the Hotel Hohenstaufen.
We took home not only beautiful photos, but above all many unforgettable impressions of an eventful cycling trip. The successful mix of nature, culture, cuisine, and exercise makes the Moselle Classic a tour that will be remembered for a long time to come.
