Mosel Bike Tour
Germany, France Bike Tours
Bike in France and Germany in the footsteps of the Romans!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€675 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This Mosel bike route leads along the border triangle of France, Luxembourg, and Germany.
Your route through the Mosel River Valley will feature medieval castles, historic cities, vineyards, and romantic wineries. Wine has long been a part of the Mosel’s history due to the favorable wine-growing climate here.
Highlights
- Metz with its Gothic Cathedral adorned with massive stained glass windows
- Vineyards of the Mosel Valley
- Trier, the "second Rome", the oldest city in Germany.
- Porta Nigra
- Wine tasting
- Mosel Bike Path cycling
- Cochem and its fairytale 12th century castle perched atop a vineyard lined hill
- Altstadt (old town) of Cochem
- Koblenz
Want to see more bike tours in France?
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Day 2: Metz - Perl, 17 to 39 mi. (27 to 63 km)
Day 3: Perl - Trier, 32 mi. (52 km)
Day 4: Trier - Piesport, 29 mi. (46 km)
Day 5: Piesport - Traben-Trarbach, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 6: Traben-Trarbach - Cochem, 35 mi. (55 km)
Day 7: Cochem - Koblenz, 31 mi. (49 km)
Day 8: DepartureAll distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, therefore the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork, In this case, please follow the directions posted on site.
Day 1: Arrival
Today you arrive in Metz, the capital of the Lorraine region. Strategically located between the Mosel river and the plateau of Lorraine, Metz is a lively university city. It also has a medieval center and a beautiful Gothic cathedral, Saint-Etienne Cathedral. The poet Verlaine wrote that the cathedral was “the lantern of God”. In fact, the building contains the largest surface area of stained glass of all French cathedrals (almost 6,500 square meters). The 14th-century stained-glass windows by Hermann de Münster rival the contemporary products of Marc Chagall and Jacques Villon. It is a living monument to the history of stained glass.Day 2: Metz - Perl, 17 to 39 mi. (27 to 63 km)
Almost the entire day will be spent in France. It is recommended to take a train (direct connection) to Thionville. From here, the path is very good as you cycle along the water to the Franco-German border. Just over the border, lies Perl. You might like to take the ferry to Schengen or cycle to the Roman Villa Borg (5 km east of Perl.) You will marvel at the excavations designed to present an authentic representation of the buildings as they originally stood. The current buildings are made up of the baths which are fully functional consisting of a frigidarium (cold bath), caldarium (hot bath) and tepidarium (tempered bath) latrines, a dressing room, and a relaxation area. The manor or main building has a large reception hall and a number of adjacent rooms in which the most important finds from the site are displayed. There is also a Roman kitchen (recently completed), a residential building, and a tavern, which was not part of the original villa but which serves meals based on ancient Roman recipes.*Overall, the bike paths along the Mosel are perfectly developed with high-quality routes. However, the Mosel bicycle route on the French side of Metz and Thionville (35 km) is mostly on streets with heavy traffic. Therefore, it is recommended to bridge the journey (Metz to Thionville) by train. Then from Thionville onward, the path is well signposted. In the detailed travel documents, recommendations on the most beautiful stretches are given.
Day 3: Perl - Trier, 32 mi. (52 km)
The day begins cycling through the vast vineyards of the Mosel valley and you will want to take some time in Remich, a place the Romans called, Remacum. You will feel the Mediterranean flair in many cafes and bistros along the 3 km long Mosel promenade. On the right bank of the Mosel, you continue your journey to Konz where you cross the mouth of the Saar and Mosel. From here it is not far to Trier. Trier, which stands on the Mosel River, was a Roman colony from the 1st century AD and then a great trading center beginning in the next century. At one time this city was known as the 'second Rome' and is said to be the oldest city in Germany. The number and quality of the surviving monuments, such as the magnificent Porta Nigra, Constatine's Basilica, the amphitheater, as well as the Roman Spa, Kaisertherme, all give testimony to Roman civilization.Day 4: Trier - Piesport, 30 mi. (48 km)
Today, Roman past and contemporary viniculture will meet. The Mosel bike trail leads to Mehring, where the Villa Rustica awaits. 'Villa Rustica’ is the designation for a manor in the Roman Empire. Today, the reconstructed walls and foundations can be visited again. Afterward, you will cycle to Trittenheim, where a nature trail educates on the local variety of grapes and the process of vine-growing. Just before reaching today’s destination, you will pass Neumagen-Dhron, Germany’s oldest wine-growing place! You should stop here to taste some of that wine!Day 5: Piesport - Traben-Trarbach, 25 mi. (40 km)
The two famous towns Bernkastel-Kues and Traben-Trarbach and the well-known wine-growing resort "Kröver Nacktarsch" are today’s highlights. Marvel at the colorful and manifold half-timbered constructions seaming the market place of Bernkastel-Kues. In Traben-Trarbach, there is an opportunity to take a boat trip.Day 6: Traben-Trarbach - Cochem, 35 mi. (56 km)
You will discover Enkirch today, a jewel of the Moselle region’s traditional half-timbered architecture. Then it is on to Zell, the wine-growing resort know for its "Zeller Schwarzen Katz" (The Black cat of Zell’). Take a relaxing break in the small town of Beilstein, proud of its nickname "Rothenburg an der Mosel". Your final destination is Cochem with its picturesque center and the ancient realm dating from the 11th century.Day 7: Cochem - Koblenz, 31 mi. (49 km)
The Mosel bike trail leads to the quaint wine-growing villages like Koben Gondorf or Winningen and then to the Deutsche Eck, but first, there is the opportunity to visit the medieval castle of Burg Eltz. Enjoy the wide view over the magnificent valley of the Rhine and be looking forward to a wonderful evening in Koblenz.Day 8: Individual departure
Looking for more? View all our featured bike trips, specials, and news or look at our full list of bike tours in Europe.
Accommodation
Category A: Centrally located 3 and 4 hotels
Category B: Centrally located small family inns and hotels. Please note, in Trier, the hotel is located 5 km outside of city.Inclusions
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodations for 7 nights
- Breakfasts
- 27 speed touring bicycle (high handlebars and more upright riding position) equipped with waterproof pannier, optional map holder (please request), repair kit with tools and spare tube)
- Luggage transfer
- Tour information packet
- Route descriptions & maps
- GPS tracks available upon request
- Service hotline
What’s Not Included
- All meals other than breakfast
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Daily from April 10 to October 17, 2021
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Season 1: April 10 to April 30 and October 1 to October 17, 2021
Season 2: May 1 to August 13, 2021
Season 3: August 14 to September 30, 2021Category A Category B Season 1 $ 1233 £ 697 $ 1,208 € 769 NZ$ 1331 kr 7954 $ 947 $ 1082 £ 612 $ 1,060 € 675 NZ$ 1169 kr 6982 $ 832 Single $ 1577 £ 892 $ 1,545 € 984 NZ$ 1704 kr 10178 $ 1,212 $ 1348 £ 763 $ 1,321 € 841 NZ$ 1456 kr 8699 $ 1,036 Season 2 $ 1290 £ 730 $ 1,264 € 805 NZ$ 1394 kr 8327 $ 992 $ 1145 £ 648 $ 1,121 € 714 NZ$ 1236 kr 7385 $ 880 Single $ 1635 £ 925 $ 1,602 € 1020 NZ$ 1766 kr 10550 $ 1,257 $ 1411 £ 798 $ 1,382 € 880 NZ$ 1524 kr 9102 $ 1,084 Season 3 $ 1340 £ 758 $ 1,313 € 836 NZ$ 1447 kr 8647 $ 1,030 $ 1185 £ 670 $ 1,161 € 739 NZ$ 1279 kr 7644 $ 910 Single $ 1685 £ 953 $ 1,651 € 1051 NZ$ 1820 kr 10871 $ 1,295 $ 1451 £ 821 $ 1,421 € 905 NZ$ 1567 kr 9361 $ 1,115 Extra Options
Electric bike: $ 176 £ 100 $ 173 € 110 NZ$ 190 kr 1138 $ 136
Guided city walking tour for Trier (daily at 1 pm in English): $ 22 £ 13 $ 22 € 14 NZ$ 24 kr 145 $ 17
Transfers
Return transfer, Metz (Saturdays only, 9 am): $ 136 £ 77 $ 134 € 85 NZ$ 147 kr 879 $ 105Return transfer, Trier, (daily, 9 am): $ 104 £ 59 $ 102 € 65 NZ$ 113 kr 672 $ 80
Extra nights
Category A Category B Metz, twin/double $ 99 £ 56 $ 97 € 62 NZ$ 107 kr 641 $ 76 $ 99 £ 56 $ 97 € 62 NZ$ 107 kr 641 $ 76 Single $ 168 £ 95 $ 165 € 105 NZ$ 182 kr 1086 $ 129 $ 168 £ 95 $ 165 € 105 NZ$ 182 kr 1086 $ 129 Koblenz, twin/double $ 99 £ 56 $ 97 € 62 NZ$ 107 kr 641 $ 76 $ 80 £ 45 $ 79 € 50 NZ$ 87 kr 517 $ 62 Single $ 133 £ 75 $ 130 € 83 NZ$ 144 kr 859 $ 102 $ 128 £ 73 $ 126 € 80 NZ$ 139 kr 827 $ 99 Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This self-guided bike tour in France and Germany that meanders the Mosel river valley is considered easy and traverses mainly flat terrain. The average daily distance is about 25 miles. Overall the bike paths along the Mosel are perfectly developed and the quality of the bike trail is superb. You can expect a perfectly signposted route on both sides of the Mosel. Do note that the Moselle bicycle route on the French side of Metz and Thionville (35 km) does lead onto roads with occasional heavy traffic. Therefore, it is recommended to bridge this section by the train. Then from Thionville onward, the path is once again well signposted. From Germany, you can expect a perfectly signposted cycle path often on the right-hand side of the Moselle. In the detailed travel documents, recommendations on the most beautiful stretches are given.
Airport Info
For this tour, the closest large international airport to Metz is Luxembourg (LUX). From the LUX airport you can take a bus to city center and continue by train to Metz. Travel time is approximately 1.5 hrs. From Koblenz back to LUX is approximately 4 hours.
Alternatively, you can also look at flying into one airport and out for another. You can opt to fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). From Paris CDG to Metz is approximately 3 to 3.5 hrs via train. The closest airport to the end of your tour in Koblenz is Frankfurt International Airport (FRA). From Koblenz to FRA is approximately 1 to 1.5 hrs via train.
Local Travel
Paris de Gaulle:
From the airport Paris CDG you can take a train to Metz Ville. The (fast) TGV train is recommended. The train ride takes approximately 2½ hours. Advanced reservations for the TGV are required and can be made here: www.raileurope.com. Upon your arrival at the train station in Metz, it is recommended to take a taxi to the first hotel.
At the end of your tour in Koblenz, your train travel time to the Frankfurt Airport will be about 2 hours.Climate
Please check local conditions before arrival. The Mosel wine region has a northernly continental climate.
Remarks
Boat trips on the river Moselle
You can add to your biking experience by booking an extra night on any night and taking a day trip on one of the many passenger ships along the Moselle. From April to October there are many options as docks are located in almost all places in both directions. Often additional tours are offered off the boat. You can find more information here.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.Extra Stay
Extra nights available in any of the overnight towns on your tour.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Velociped.
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?
Photos
Reviews
Peter V.
4 years agoVerified Reviewer
Kevin from Trailsnet
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
Sharon Robers
5 years agoVerified Reviewer
Stephen Roberts
9 years agoVerified Reviewer
Tripsite Customer Reviews
Kevin from Trailsnet
5 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Sharon Robers
5 years ago
Verified Reviewer