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Germany / Moselle cycle route

From Saarburg to Koblenz

The history of the region along the banks of the Moselle dates back to the Roman times. For guests on a cycling cruise there is a lot to explore and enjoy: Saarburg, widely referred to as “Little Venice”, beautiful timbered houses dating back to medieval times, vineyards, the Porta Nigra in Trier, built in Roman times, the oldest defensive structure in Germany, are just a few of the highlights of this memorable trip.

Moselle cycle route

Photos (10)

Day by Day
Route profile
How to get there
Accommodation and meals
Bikes and accessories
Accompanying material
By your side

Day by Day

map
1. Saarburg
Embarkation between 3 pm and 5 pm. You will spend the first night and evening in Saarburg. In its centre you will find a waterfall of 20 meters deep as well as many baroque buildings and fisher houses.

2. Saarburg - Trier (39 km)
Today you will cycle from Saarburg along the idyllic nature reserve of the abandoned meander of the River Saar. Further on to Wasserbillig in Luxemburg and from here to the Igeler Säule. Later you will reach Trier, where the barge is already waiting for you.

3. Trier - Mehring (27 km)
After breakfast you will cycle from Trier via the charming village of Pfalzel to Mehring, famous for its white wine and home to the largest winegrowing community in the Moselle-Saar-Ruwer region. In the evening you will have time to explore the village.

4. Mehring - Bernkastel-Kues (47 km)
Today you will reach Bernkastel-Kues by bike. The market place from the Middle Ages with many wood timbered houses invites you for a rest. On your way you visit Neumagen-Dhron which is the oldest wine city of Germany. Further on you reach Piesport, the oldest wine growing community along the Moselle. You should take the time to enjoy the popular wines.

5. Bernkastel-Kues - Zell (43 km)
From Bernkastel-Kues to Traben-Trarbach the route continues along the right bank of the Moselle. You follow the meanders of the Moselle and reach Zell on the Moselle – known for the “Zeller Schwarze Katz” wine location. In Zell you should take the opportunity to get to know the good wines of the Moselle.

6. Zell - Cochem (38 km)
The perfect maintained historical centre of Beilstein, “the Sleeping Beauty of the Mosel”, is waiting for you. Today’s tour ends in Cochem with the Reichsburg. Cochem is a lovely little town with historical half-timbered-houses and a picturesque Old town.

7. Cochem - Koblenz (53 km)
Today you can spend the day on board and relax on the sundeck. Enjoy the beautiful Moselle landscape passing by and stroll along the “Deutsche Eck” in Koblenz in the afternoon, where Moselle and Rhine flow together. Experienced cyclists can cycle from Cochem to Koblenz and visit Burg Eltz.

8. Koblenz
End of your tour and end of services. You will disembark after breakfast around 9.00 am.

Due to organisational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday. Issues with high and low water, as well as logistic obstacles such as officially ordered - previously not announced - repair work on locks or bridges can modify some of the daily stretches or overnight stays and may even request a transfer by bus. These decisions are only taken by the barge’s captain.
Route profile

The Moselle is the main German tributary of the Rhine, and also the second navigable river in Germany. Most part of the tour unwinds along the river on a proper cycle path running on both river banks. The quality of the terrain is excellent: the route runs on paved roads or on well-trod soil paths well signed posted along the river.

The itinerary is mainly flat with occasional mild ups and downs. Only the last leg of the tour runs along the river Saar, the longest tributary of the Moselle. The route from Trier to Saarburg is slightly uphill, but you can decide to stay on board and to cycle only in the afternoon towards Metterlach.
How to get there

The precise embarkation point will be written in the Final Tour Details.

By plane
The easiest way to get to Saarburg is arriving in Luxembourg by plane.

From here you can take a bus to the station of Trier (cost: 11 €, duration: 45 minutes). Then you can take a train to Saarburg (duration: 20 minutes).

By train
The main train station is the Saarburg's one.

By car
You can leave your car near the embarkation point or the railway station of Saarburg.
Accommodation and meals

The barge Olympia is equipped with:
- 22 twin cabins above deck (11 m2)
- 4 astern twin cabins above deck (located at the back of the boat and 12 m2)
- 2 single cabins above deck (9 m2)
- 21 twin cabins below deck (11 m2)

All cabins have a bathroom with shower, toilet, and hairdryer; a telephone, TV, individually controlled air conditioner/heating, refrigerator, safe and panoramic windows. The windows on the upper deck can be opened.

Common areas
The English-style lounge with bar and restaurant with panoramic windows invite you to relax on board. The spacious and partially covered sundeck offers enough seats and a storage space for bikes.
This area is great for a drink after your cycling trip.

Watch Olympia photo gallery.
Bikes and accessories
Bikes are available in different sizes in unisex model:
- Touring bike with 7 gears with hand or pedal brakes
- E-bike with hand or pedal brakes
All rented adult bikes are equipped with:
1 pannier bag
1 lock

Bike helmets are not mandatory, but we advise you wear one for your safety anyway.
Accompanying material

Before your arrival, you will receive an email from us with the digital information material. It contains:

1. Link to download the tour information material in Pdf:
- Tour notes
- Final tour details

2. GPS tracks

On the spot you will route descriptions and maps (1 set per cabin).
By your side

In the Final Tour Details you will find the contact phone numbers you can call during the tour in case of emergency.