Marketplace in Trier, Germany along the Mosel River. Photo via Flickr:Dennis Jarvis

View of Bernkastel Kues along the Mosel. Photo via Flickr:johan wieland

Mosel and Saar

Germany Bike + Barge Tours

Cycling through the legacy of the Roman Empire

Cycle back in time and visit the Roman villa’s and public baths along the Mosel and Saar Rivers. On this bike and barge tour in Germany, highlights abound. In Trier, visit the Porta Nigra or "Black Gate ". This ancient gateway is one of the most well known monuments from the Roman era. On day three you go literally beyond the border on a short detour to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The tour also leads through ​one of Germany's best wine-growing areas. Get acquainted with the excellent but uncomplicated wines from the Saar and the so called ‘Spitzenweinen’ along the Mosel like the ‘Zeller Schwarze Katz’. The main ingredient for these wines is the Riesling, a white grape variety which dates back to the 15th century and is crowned as the ‘Queen of grapes'.

Other highlights include Saarschleife von Merzig, and the vineyards of Calmont.

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Tour Dates

2016 Dates
Departure on Sundays
From Löf: September 18, October 2, October 16, October 30, 2016
From Merzig: September 25, October 9, October 23, 2016

2017 Dates
Departure on Sundays
From Löf: August 20, September 3, September 17, October 1, and October 15, 2017
From Merzig: August 27, September 10, September 24, October 8, October 22, 2017

Where You’ll Stay

On board the Comfort class vessel, the Zwaan

What’s Included

  • All nights on board including bedding and two towels
  • Breakfast and dinner on board
  • Packed lunches
  • Coffee and tea on board
  • Tour guide
  • Route information
  • 24 gear hybrid bike rental
  • Road book, 1x per cabin
  • Ferry fares on the route

What’s Not Included

Mosel and Saar Map

TourBike+Boat
TypeGuided
SkillEasy
Length8 days
From€1140 Rates
Client Reviews

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Skill Level

This is an easy guided bike and boat tour

Tour Boats

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Mosel and Saar Map

From Merzig to Löf:

Day 1: Embarkation in Merzig at 3 pm.
Day 2: Saarschleife - Saarbrug, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 3: Saarburg - Trier, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 4: Trier - Bernkastel Kues, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 5: Bernkastel Kues - Zell, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 6: Zell - Cochem, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 7: Cochem - Löf, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 8: Löf, disembarkation before 10 am

Day 1: Embarkation in Merzig at 3 pm.
Your tour starts in the beautiful Saarland town of Merzig. In this small town, there is so much to discover, from the Garden of Senses to the wolf park of Werner Freund. The tour starts with a short cycling route and town walk after dinner.

Day 2: Saarschleife - Saarbrug, 22 mi. (35 km)
From Merzig, the route leads north along the Saar. Around the little village of Saarhölzbach  the Saarland is left behind and the Rheinland Pfalz is entered. The history of this little village goes back to the year 802 and the government of Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, King of Franks, King of Italy and the first Holy Roman Emperor. Destination today is Saarburg from where it is about 15 km. to the Mosel. Don’t forget to go for a walk through the old town center with the famous waterfalls and visit the old city castle. 

Day 3: Saarburg - Trier, 22 mi. (35 km)
Today you switch rivers in the historical city of Konz,  leaving the Saar behind and then following the Mosel towards Luxembourg. It was around the year 365 A.D. that the river inspired the Roman teacher Magnus Ausonius to write his hymn Mosella:

‘Greetings, river, framed by perfumed vineyard-covered hills, Framed by grass; river of greenest shores. Your strong waters carry ships, flowing in easy waves. Along the stream, and a glittering lake your depths emulate.’

Along the old Saarschleife, to to the Igeler Säule, you cycle and then to  and Wasserbillig in Luxembourg. In the afternoon, the route turns eastwards to Trier, for the night. This city is known fort it’s Roman legacies like the Porta Nigra, the Basilica of Constantine the Great, and the amphitheatre. 

Day 4: Trier - Bernkastel Kues, 31 mi. (50 km)
Today's route showcases Roman influence that is still present today in ancient villas, public baths, and other relics of ancient civilizations. The ancient remnants dot the slopes along the winding river. Destination today is the medieval town of Bernkastel Keus with its romantic narrow streets, remarkable half timbered houses, and picturesque nooks and crannies.

Day 5: Bernkastel Kues - Zell, 25 mi. (40 km)
The Mosel continues through a green and fascinating landscape with vineyards and forests and beautiful towns and villages like the so called ‘Winzerdorf’ Wolf.  Further on, around the next curve,  you’ll be surprised by the beautiful double city in Jugendstil, Traben Trarbach. The ship waits for you in the city of the black cat, Zell. The story goes that when some wine merchants from Aachen had to choose which wine barrel they wanted to buy,  a black cat jumped upon one of the barrels to defend it. Of course this made it clear for them which barrel they should buy. 

Day 6: Zell - Cochem, 25 mi. (40 km)
Today it seems like the river flexes it muscles one last time  before it continues along in an almost nonchalant way through the area. In the fourth bend you’ll find the incredible steep vineyards of Calmont. The steepest slopes have a gradient of 65% and the vines crawl up and cling to the mountainsides.  From here the river makes another 5 bends before it reaches the old Celtic city of Cochem.

Day 7: Cochem - Löf, 25 mi. (40 km)
From its high position, the old Reichsburg keeps a watchful eye on you as you cycle out of Cochem. Today you visit the most beautiful castle along the Mosel River: Burg Eltz. At the foothills you'll park your bike and continue hiking (an easy 1 hour walk) to Burg Eltz. Here you can visit the original medieval interior of the castle and climb the tower. 

Day 8: Löf, disembarkation before 10 am​

From Löf to Merzig

Day 1: Embarkation in Löf at 3 pm. Short cycling route.
Day 2: Löf - Cochem, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Cochem - Zell, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: Zell - Bernkastel Kues, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Bernkastel Kues - Trier, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Trier - Saarburg, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 7: Saarburg - Merzig, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 8: Merzig, disembarkation before 10 am

If you’re looking for a different flavor, check out our full list of bike and barge tours or view all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news.

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Mosel and Saar Boats + Barges

Zwaan Photo

Zwaan Belgium, Netherlands Comfort Class Boat Once a cargo boat, the Zwaan (Swan) was completely renovated and converted into a comfortable passenger barge. On board you will find seven comfortable cabins allowing a total capacity of 16 passengers.

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+1 570-965-2064

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