Koblenz to Merzig
Germany Bike + Barge Tours
Bike & Boat along the Mosel & Saar Rivers
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length7–8 days
- Prices from€1244 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This bike and barge tour in Germany loops along the Moselle and Saar Rivers, through quaint German towns, with picturesque half-timbered houses and baroque churches. You will pedal your way through local culture with remnants of the Roman Empire as your backdrop.
Depending on your tour date, your adventure will either commence in Merzig, not far from the French border, or in Koblenz, a very old and very beautiful city with a history spanning 2000 years. The landscape is stunning and includes the famous Saar-Loop, the renowned bend in the river.
Highlights
- Koblenz, Cochem, Saarburg, the stars of the Moselle and Saar Rivers
- Alluvial landscape and cycling
- Wine cultural landscape of the river valley
- Architectural treasures of Traben-Trabach
- And many more!
Be sure to check out our full list of bike and barge tours in Germany.
Itinerary
Koblenz to Merzig
Day 1: Koblenz
Day 2: Koblenz - Alken | Alken - Moselkern - Cochem, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Cochem - Beilstein - Zell on the Moselle, 24 mi. (39 km)
Day 4: Zell on the Moselle - Bernkastel - Kues, 27 mi. (45 km)
Day 5: Bernkastel - Kues - Neumagen - Schweich, 16 or 34 mi. (27 or 54 km) | Schweich - Trier
Day 6: Trier - Wasserbillig - Saarburg, 23 mi. (38 km)
Day 7: Saarburg - Merzig, 22 mi. (37 km)
Day 8: Merzig* Parts in italics are undertaken on board.
On the days that two cycling distances are offered, the tour leader, in conferring with the group, will choose to guide either the shorter route or longer route. Not all the highlights will be visited during the shorter route.
You can also choose to ride self-guided utilizing maps available on board. GPS tracks will be sent to you 4 weeks before the tour start date.
Day 1: Koblenz
The Flora will be moored and waiting in Koblenz. It is possible to bring your luggage on board at 11 am but the cabins will not be ready for check-in. At 2 pm the crew will offically welcome you on board. You will spend the first afternoon and night in Koblenz, an inviting city to explore. “Koblenz” is a corruption of the Latin word confluentes, which means confluence. The Romans gave that name to the camp they built around the year 14 AD, at the spot where the rivers Rhine and Mosel converge. In World War II the town was almost entirely destroyed, but a number of precious monuments are still worth a visit, such as the Deutsches Eck, the Romanesque basilica of St. Kastor and the Kurfürstliches Schloss.Day 2: Koblenz - Alken | Alken - Moselkern - Cochem, 25 mi. (40 km)
Your day begins as the Flora sails to Alken where, following the distribution of bicycles, you will cycle to Moselkern. The village of Moselkern is world-famous for its Burg Eltz. This stronghold is one of the most impressive medieval buildings of Western Europe. It’s not easy to reach though, you need to hike the last section to reach the castle. After visiting Burg Eltz, you continue the bike tour to Cochem, one of the Mosel region’s most frequently-visited wine towns. Cochem is a cozy, characteristic town with wine cellars and half-timbered houses.Day 3: Cochem - Beilstein - Zell on the Moselle, 24 mi. (39 km)
After breakfast you will cycle to Beilstein, one of the best-preserved historical villages along the length of the Moselle. The ruins of Castle Metternich sit towering above the village, and you’ll have the opportunity to explore them. After leaving Beilstein you will pass Europe’s steepest vineyard – with slopes inclining between 50 and 55 degrees – at Bremmer Calmont. Today’s tour ends in the wine village of Zell on the Moselle, well known in the industry for the wine “Zeller Schwarze Katz”. In Zell you should take the opportunity to get to know the good wines of the Mosel.Day 4: Zell on the Moselle - Bernkastel - Kues, 27 mi. (45 km)
First stop of your cycling itinerary from Zell, is the romantic village of Traben-Trarbach, located on the left bank of the Moselle and famous for its Jugendstil (art nouveau) architectural style. From there you pass through the wine city of Kröv – well-known for its popular Kröver wine, to Bernkastel-Kues, your destination for the night. The grand half-timbered houses that surround Bernkastel-Kues’s marketplace date back to the Middle Ages, and are a photographer’s delight. You will reach the barge in Kues after a tour through town.Day 5: Bernkastel - Kues - Neumagen - Schweich, 16 or 34 mi. (27 or 54 km) | Schweich - Trier
Upstream from Bernkastel lovely vineyards stretch out in many places. This area’s white Moselle wine has become a household name both locally and abroad.Piesport and Trittenheim are both well known. Piesport produces a number of beautiful white wines. The “Piesporter Goldtröpfchen”, in particular, enjoys great popularity. Trittenheim lies in a sharp hairpin bend of the Mosel. It is surrounded by mountains covered with extensive vineyards. The Laurentiuskapelle, with its gothic choir, is located right in the middle of the vines.
From Schweich, you’ll rejoin the barge to Trier, an interesting and lively city, the oldest in Germany. According to the Romans, Trier was founded around the year 15 BC by Caesar Augustus under the name of Augusta Treverorum. As a trading town and administrative center, Trier flourished during the late imperial age.
This Roman golden age has left Trier with a fair number of impressive monuments. Most authentic is the city gate Porta Nigra, which was built around 18 AD.
Day 6: Trier - Wasserbillig - Saarburg, 23 mi. (38 km)
You will follow the Saar river to your next destination, Saarburg. Saarburg is an intriguing old town situated in the most beautiful part of the Saar valley, where the river banks are densely forested. The castle of Saarburg was built here in the middle of the 10th century. In the town’s center, you will encounter a 20-meter-high waterfall. At the foot of this waterfall, there is an old mill driven by a stream. Most of the old houses in this part of town are fully intact and date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, giving Saarburg a picture book look. Dinner this evening is out on the town and the crew will be happy to assist with suggestions of where to go.Day 7: Saarburg - Merzig, 22 mi. (37 km)
Your last cycling day takes you first through the Saarschleife, a natural wonder at Orscholz. From the top of the Cloef you can take in this beautiful river loop as the Saar meanders through the densely forested valley. Later you continue to Mettlach, where you can visit the famous ceramic factory of Villeroy & Boch. Back on the barge in Merzig, you can enjoy your last evening on board and enjoy a celebratory dinner.Day 8: Merzig
Merzig to Koblenz
Day 1: Merzig
Day 2: Merzig – Saarburg, 22 mi. (37 km)
Day 3: Saarburg – Wasserbillig (Lux) – Trier, 16 or 19 mi. (27 or 32 km)
Day 4: Trier – Schweich | Schweich - Bernkastel, 16 or 34 mi. (27 or 54 km)
Day 5: Bernkastel-Kues – Traben-Trarbach – Zell on the Moselle, 27 mi. (45 km)
Day 6: Zell – Beilstein – Cochem, 24 mi. (39 km)
Day 7: Cochem – Karden | Karden - Winningen | Winningen - Koblenz, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 8: KoblenzLooking for more? View all of our featured bike and boat tours, or our full list of bike trips.
Boats & Bikes
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights on the Standard class ship, the Flora
- 7 breakfasts, packed lunches, & 6 three-course dinner
- Coffee & tea on board
- Complimentary welcome beverage
- Daily cleaning of the cabin
- Daily tour briefings
- 24-speed Trek X300 hybrid bike equipped with gel saddle, integral frame lock, & pannier
- Fully guided cycling tours
- Some short walking tours
- Fees for ferries
- GPS tracks
- WiFi (signal strength and speed varies)
What’s Not Included
- Helmet rental
- Excursions other than those mentioned
- Drinks other than those mentioned
- Gratuities
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
Standard Class
Flora
Saturday departures
Koblenz to Merzig
August 28, September 11, & September 25, 2021Merzig to Koblenz
September 4 & September 18, 2021Cabin Type
Twin $ 1968 £ 1104 $ 1,903 € 1244 NZ$ 2130 kr 12871 $ 1,521 Twin/single-use $ 2870 £ 1609 $ 2,775 € 1814 NZ$ 3105 kr 18763 $ 2,217 Triple* $ 1810 £ 1015 $ 1,750 € 1144 NZ$ 1959 kr 11836 $ 1,398 *Third bed is only suitable for a child.
Standard Class
Flora
Saturday departures
Koblenz to Merzig
August 27, September 10, & September 24, 2022Merzig to Koblenz
September 3, 2022Cabin Type
Twin $ 2016 £ 1130 $ 1,949 € 1274 NZ$ 2181 kr 13181 $ 1,557 Twin/single-use $ 2941 £ 1649 $ 2,844 € 1859 NZ$ 3182 kr 19228 $ 2,272 Triple* $ 1858 £ 1042 $ 1,796 € 1174 NZ$ 2010 kr 12146 $ 1,435 *Third bed is only suitable for a child.
Extra Options
Electric bicycle, weekly rental, advance reservation is required, payable in advance: $ 158 £ 89 $ 153 € 100 NZ$ 171 kr 1035 $ 122
Helmet rental: $ 16 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 NZ$ 17 kr 103 $ 12
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This is an easy guided bike and boat tour. Biking takes place on good quality asphalted bike paths and country roads. Daily biking distances range from 12 to 34 miles (25 to 55 km). The routes follow the flow of the rivers and are therefore mainly flat with only a few slight climbs.
Airport Info
Closest international airport to both your tour start in Koblenz or Merzig is Frankfurt International Airport (FRA). However, Luxembourg (LUX) could be another option.
Local Travel
Frankfurt Airport is well connected by public transportation. The airport train station, located next to Terminal 1, offers connections to popular German cities via Deutsche Bahn, the national railway company of Germany. From the airport to Koblenz it is approx. 1 1/2 hour travel time with at least one transfer and to Merzig it is approximately 3 1/2 hour of train travel time.
Climate
Please check local conditions prior to your arrival. In this region in Germany, the summers are comfortable and partly cloudy.
Day of Rest
If you decide not to bike, you can always opt to enjoy the German scenery from the sun-deck on board the boat.
Recommended
Helmet usage is not mandatory in Germany but we strongly advise wearing a helmet. Helmets are available to rent on the Flora and provided free of charge on the Merlijn.
Remarks
Due to steel construction of the ship, cruising locations, and other factors, WiFi signal speed and strength may not be what you are accustomed to and may not meet your expectations. If you are dependent on a strong, fast, and reliable signal at all times, please consider a personal hotspot.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Tour documents
Your final travel information will be emailed approximately one month before your tour date. For tours on the Flora, for those who want to cycle self-guided or are interested in having the route on your personal smart device, Ride With GPS is an app that you can download for free on your mobile phone. Your phone then becomes your own cycling navigation device, a bike route mapping tool for cyclists. This option is in addition to traditional printed route notes and printed maps. Once the app is installed, you can then download tour maps and daily itineraries directly to your smartphone. You will be able to use voice navigation on all the routes and access your tour content anytime, all from your phone. In your final travel information, you will find the code you can use to access your specific tour. An account is not required.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Boat Bike Tours.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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