German Rivers, Wines and Cycle Paths by Bike and Boat

Bike and boat from Cochem to Merzig or reverse

This enchanting bike and boat tour in Germany features the Moselle and Saar River landscapes with magnificent scenery, romantic wine villages, and the best German bike paths.

The Romans left their mark here in many ways including the cultivation and production of grapes and wine. Believing that drinking wine was a daily necessity, and to ensure the steady supply of wine to Roman soldiers and colonists, viticulture and wine production spread to every part of the empire and the rivers played an essential role in transportation.

The mountains were transformed into terraced vineyards and hilltop castles kept watch from above. Did you know the steepest vineyards in the world are located here in the Mosel region of Germany?

Enjoy the journey as your bike the wonderful landscape of German rivers and wine country!

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Highlights

• Moselle and Saar River cycling
• Roman culture, history, and influence along the Moselle and Saar Rivers
• Medieval cities and towns
• Wine village of Zell
• Traben-Trarbach, city of art nouveau
• Piesport producer of beautiful white wines
• Bernkastel Kues, producer of the best wines of the Mid-Moselle
• Trier, the oldest city in Germany, founded by Caesar Augustus
• City gate of Porta Nigra

Daily program

Cochem to Merzig

Day 1: Cochem
The Quo Vadis awaits in the port of Cochem. You will be welcomed on board at 3 pm and can then go for a stroll through this typical Moselle town. Steep mountains laced with fertile vineyards and wooded hills surround the picturesque square with beautiful timber-framed houses and cafes. Visit the impressive castle or have a glass of local wine.

Day 2: Cochem – Beilstein – Zell (22 or 27 miles/36 km or 44 km)
Your first stop is the beautiful town of Beilstein. High on a hill, you will find Saint Joseph's Monastery which houses the "Miraculous Black Madonna", a statue of Spanish origin dating from the 12th or 13th century. Black Madonnas are mysterious and at times controversial. There are over 500 Black Madonnas in Europe today. Were they created this way? Or did chemical changes occur over time? Your day's itinerary ends in the wine village of Zell, located on the Moselle River.

Day 3: Zell – Traben-Trarbach – Bernkastel Kues (27 miles/44 km)
First to Traben-Trarbach, the city of Art Nouveau, and then on to Bernkastel Kues with its medieval marketplace surrounded by well-preserved gabled timber-frame houses. This ancient Roman town produces the best wines of the Mid-Moselle.

Day 4: Bernkastel-Kues, “Maare-Moselradweg MMR” excursion (34 miles/55 km)
This morning you leave the river and vineyards behind. You and your bike will be shuttled by bus to the city of Schalkenmehren, into the heart of the UNESCO Volcanic Eifel nature park and geopark. The following cycling itinerary leads along the converted rails to trails track, through tunnels, over bridges, and past small lakes formed from volcano craters, known as maars. Today there is no dinner on board so you can select one of the local restaurants of Bernkastel-Kues (at your own expense).

Day 5: Bernkastel-Kues – Neumagen – Schweich –Trier/Pfalzel (18 or 34 miles/28 km or 54 km)
From Bernkastel, the valley opens up and vineyards expand as far as the eye can see. You cruise past the heavy hitters in the wine world, Brauneberg, Piesport, and Trittenheim. Piesport is popular for the Riesling grapes that are grown here. Trittenheim lies in a sharp hairpin turn on the river surrounded by mountains abundant with grapes. Around lunchtime, you will arrive in Neumagen, which has been an important center of wine production since the Roman era. You can decide to join the barge from here or continue by bicycle to Schweich, where the barge will be waiting for you again. Once on board, you will cruise to Trier/Pfalzel.

Day 6: Trier/Pfalzel – Trier – Saarburg (20 miles/33 km)
In the morning your tour leader will take you to Trier, the oldest city in Germany. Trier was founded in 15 BC by Caesar Augustus under the name of Augusta Trevorum. It flourished during the late imperial age as a trading town and administrative center. Roman influence is seen in the architecture and monuments, including the city gate Porta Nigra, which was built around 18 AD. After lunch, you will hop on your bicycle and soon branch off to follow the Saar River to your next destination, Saarburg, situated in the most beautiful part of the Saar Valley. The remains of the castle of Saarburg, originally constructed in the 10th century, sits on the hilltop, surrounded by trees, and overlooks the charming city below. Right in the middle of the Altstadt, or Old Town, you come across a 20m waterfall. In this part of town, most of the old houses date from the 17th and 18th centuries and are well preserved.

Day 7: Saarburg – Merzig ( 25 miles/40 km)
Enjoy this last day of riverside biking as you head to Mettlach. Enjoy the views over the most scenic bend of the Saar River, and then onward to Merzig, your day's destination and your last overnight. Merzig is situated directly on the banks of the Saar river, surrounded by the Saargau hills, this is the perfect ending to your cycling vacation immersed in German river landscapes. The area sourrounding Merzig is rich in orchards and is known for its fruit juices and Viez Apfelwein (apple wine). Be sure to taste some!

Day 8: Departure from Merzig
Disembarkation by 9:30.

Merzig to Cochem

Day 1: Merzig
Day 2: Merzig – Saarburg (28 miles/45 km)
Day 3: Saarburg – Trier-Pfalzel (22 miles/35 km)
Day 4: Trier – Schweich | Schweich – Neumagen – Bernkastel-Kues (16 or 32 miles/27 km or 53 km)
Day 5: Bernkastel-Kues by bus to Daun – Bernkastel-Kues (Daun excursion) (34 miles/55 km)
Day 6: Bernkastel-Kues – Zell, (28 miles/45 km)
Day 7: Zell – Cochem (24 miles/40 km)
Day 8: Departure from Cochem

Surface and terrain

This guided bike and boat tour in Germany is rated leisure. The route is mainly flat, follows the course of the rivers, and ranges between 28 and 55 km over 6 cycling days.

Boats

• Quo Vadis

Quo Vadis

How to get there

Tour start and end:

Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) or Luxembourg Airport (LUX)

The train station at Frankfurt Airport offers connections to the city center and other popular German cities. Luxembourg Airport is another option. You can even book a multi-city flight, arriving to one airport and departing from another.

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 7 nights accommodation on board the Quo Vadis in an air-conditioned cabin on board
• 7 x breakfast, 6 x packed lunch, 5 x 3-course dinner, and 1 x 4-course dinner
• Welcome meeting and toast
• Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water on board
• Daily cleaning of the cabin
• 8-speed touring bike
• Guided cycling tours
• Maps for cycling tours (1x per cabin)
• Fees for ferries
• Tourist-tax
• Bus transfer to Daun
• Entrance Reichsburg Cochem

Bike rentals

Bikes available to be rented (booked in advance at the time of booking) include:

8-speed touring bike (included)
9-speed electric bike*

*More about electrically-assisted bikes

Equipment included with bike rental:

• Orlieb 12.6 liter pannier
• Helmet
• Safety lock

Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE. 

Tour Company