A week of exhilarating hiking awaits in the stunning Moselle River Valley, from Bullay to Treis Karden. Explore charming villages with half-timber houses, traverse evergreen boxwood forests, and trek along rocky high-altitude paths, including Europe's steepest vineyards.
Experience breathtaking views of the meandering Moselle River, vineyards, and majestic castles from elevated panoramic viewpoints. Discover perfect picnic spots offering incredible vistas for a traditional 'Brotzeit' meal. Families can relish a unique panorama boat trip and exciting railway tunnel experiences, adding special charm to the journey.
Details about the Best of Moselsteig for Families
This specially crafted hiking tour along the Moselsteig is an ideal adventure for you and your children. Our team meticulously designed a wonderful hiking week, considering all the essential factors for hiking with kids. Hiking enthusiasts of every age can explore the splendid highlights along the Moselsteig Trail from Bullay to Treis Karden on foot.
The trail offers a fairy-tale experience with boxwood forests, timber-framed houses, and historic structures. Additionally, the itinerary includes exciting experiences like boarding the Moselle Wine Train, hiking through Grevenburg Castle, and taking a chairlift to Pinnerkreuz.
The highlights of the Moselle hiking tour for families
Scenic High-Altitude Trails: Explore the remarkable high-altitude trails along the Moselsteig Trail, providing breathtaking views of the charming vineyards and lush green boxwood forests. Families can enjoy these picturesque landscapes together.
Planned Breaks for Relaxation: When hiking with children, it's important to plan regular breaks during each day's route, allowing ample time for rest and relaxation. These breaks are perfect for appreciating the surroundings and ensuring everyone's comfort during the hike.
Award-Winning Hiking Quality: The Moselsteig Trail, located in Rhineland-Palatinate, is recognized as an award-winning, top-quality hiking trail. Families can expect the highest standard of hiking experiences, ensuring safety, well-marked paths, and an overall enjoyable journey for hikers of all ages and skill levels.
Worth knowing about the hiking tour along the Moselsteig for Families
You'll primarily hike on pleasant hiking paths and trails, traversing gravelled vineyard paths and secluded forest trails. Certain sections with stunning vistas cross steep terrain and rocky areas, requiring surefootedness. The ascents and descents of the mountain chains in the Moselle Valley are easily manageable with a good basic level of fitness. You can comfortably shorten the stages at any time by using the train.
The charming Moselle village of Bullay with its numerous traditional inns and the lovely ‚Brautrock‘-fountain situated at the Lindenplatz square invites you to a leisurely stroll.
Short train ride through the tunnel to Reil. You walk across vineyards enjoying a spectacular view of Germany’s longest slope viaduct and the river loops further below. At the lookout tower at the Prinzenkopf, you can enjoy glances into the distance. Here the area between the Moselle river loops is only a few hundred metres wide, you nearly feel like you are on an island. Past the Marienburg castle, you have headed downhill again and via the double-decked bridge back to Bullay.
The legendary Moselweinbahn-railway takes you to the start of the hike into the art nouveau town of Traben-Trarbach. You ascend on steep terrain to Grevenstein castle and proceed along the Franzosensteig-trail via spiral staircases and steep trails directly through the ruin. The view of the river deep down below is also spectacular. An alpine section of the hike at the Kirster Ridge leads you to great views of Enkirch. Finally by bus along the river to Bullay.
A wine-growing educational trail leads you to the top, where forest- and meadow paths lead you across the river up Mount Petersberg. From the summit-cross, you enjoy impressive views into the depth and onto the Moselle river loop. After a break at the panorama spot Eulenköpfchen you reach Neef. If you have energy left, you can then climb up Mount Calmont, Europe‘s steepest vineyard. Through the Emperor Wilhelm Tunnel by train to Cochem.
From Bruttig you proceed through the gorge of the Kabainerbach-stream in the shade uphill to the viewing platform at the Eisernen Mast (‚Iron Pole‘). Straight through the vineyard slopes you hike across the rocky mountainsides of the Brauselay, which towers as a black steep cliff steeped in legends above the river. In the afternoon you marvel at the Cochem imperial castle from the water whilst enjoying a pleasant boat trip.
Either on foot or by chair lift you ascend to the Pinnerkreuz, a marvellous rock turret situated above Cochem. After that into the wildlife- and adventure park, where adults and children can really let off steam. Along forest paths high above the river to the legendary hut „Wingerts Budche“. The views into the distance onto the Moselle valley and the chain of hills opposite are fantastic. By Moselbahn-railway into your day finish in Treis-Karden.
The impressive boxwood trail welcomes you with evergreen forests and steep rock steps. From Müden along historic pilgrimage trails into the highland to Eltz castle. After a break in the beer garden, you proceed leisurely along the stream to Moselkern and by train back to the hotel.
ca. 4,5 hours
13 km
350 m
350 m
Day
8
Departure or extra days
Route information
Mostly, you'll hike on well-maintained paths, gravelled vineyard trails, and secluded forest pathways. Parts of the trail with splendid views traverse steep terrains and rocky sections, necessitating surefootedness. The ascents and descents of the mountain range in the Moselle Valley can be managed comfortably with a good basic fitness level. If needed, stages can be easily shortened at any time by using the train.