Hikes in Cochem

Along the Moselle, the Moselsteig is one of the most beautiful long-distance hiking trails in Europe. It is not for nothing that it has been certified as „Leading Quality Trail - Best of Europe“. With its varied landscape, the Moselsteig offers hikers an unforgettable experience in nature. Here you will make your way through forests and vineyards as well as along the edges of slopes and the banks of the Moselle. Wonderful views and interesting cultural and historical sights await you along the 365 kilometres of the trail.

Where does the Moselsteig begin?

The Moselsteig begins in Perl on the German-Luxembourgian-French border. The hike takes you through well-known places such as Trier, Bernkastel-Kues, Traben-Trarbach, Zell (Mosel) and Cochem to where the Mosel flows into the Rhine in Koblenz. If you wish, you can also start the tour in Koblenz.

How many stages does the Moselsteig have?

24 stages take you along the Moselsteig. The 18th stage takes you from Beilstein to Cachem, and the next stage takes you from Cachem to Treis-Karden.

The Cochemer Ritterrunde is one of the „side trails” of the famous Moselsteig. These partner trails have been awarded the German Hiking Seal because of their high quality standards. Fit hikers need a good six hours for the hike on the Cochem Knights' Round, which covers 700 metres of altitude over a distance of 16 kilometres.

First a serpentine path leads up to the Pinnerkreuz and the Wackelei. Here you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Reichsburg and the Moselle while hiking high above Cochem. The shady forest paths lead uphill to the ruins of Winneburg Castle, which towers over the Endert Valley at an altitude of about 300 metres. From the Hubertush, there is a fascinating panoramic view of the Eifel and Hunsrück. The descent is via the medieval Reichsburg. Be sure to visit the late Gothic castle complex here! The hiking trails of the tour have a high proportion of paths, which is why good surefootedness is important.

The small Dortebach Valley near Klotten is a unique Moselle side valley that has an almost alpine character due to its location. During hikes in the oldest nature reserve on the Moselle, you will encounter rare flora and fauna in untouched nature. The 7-kilometre-long culture trail is excellently signposted, about 2.5 hours long and can be extended at various points.

From the hiking car park, it winds its way to the Dortebach waterfall and continues to the mountain plateau in the Klottener Neuwald forest and to the Annischerhof farm. From here you walk along orchards to the Kasteschkopp vantage point with a magnificent view of the Moselle valley and the vineyard terraces. Serpentine paths take you back down into the valley and back to the starting point. Afterwards, you can celebrate the completed hiking tours with culinary delicacies of the region and Klotten wine.

• Cochem Old Town: the historic old town of Cochem is a car-free zone with narrow streets and old half-timbered gabled houses covered with Moselle slate. From the lively market square, paths lead up to the cultural centre in the Capuchin monastery.
• Reichsburg Cochem: the medieval Reichsburg is Cochem's most famous landmark. It is the largest castle on the Moselle and is enthroned on a rock above the valley. From the car parks, it takes about 15 to 30 minutes to reach the castle complex on the mountain.
• The Bundesbank bunker in Cochem: a rather unusual sight. In the past, a substitute currency of the German Bundesbank was stored here in top secret; today, the building houses a museum.
• Moselle promenade: the promenade in Cochem is one of most beautiful places on Moselle. Here you can take a boat trip and stop off at quaint restaurants.
• Wild- und Freizeitpark Klotten: an experience for young and old. In addition to a petting zoo, there are over 50 different wild animals and a bird of prey show. In addition, climbing opportunities and the fastest, steepest and highest water ride in Germany await visitors.
• Wine tasting at the vintner's: the Moselle region is Germany's oldest wine-growing region. That is why a wine tasting is simply a must after a completed hiking tour.

There are several smaller towns around Cochem that are ideal for a day trip with a cultural experience. The picturesque winegrowing village of Beilstein is also known as Dornröschen an der Mosel and is just one of the many places of interest in this area. Time seems to have stood still in this picturesque village. The hiking trails here lead through lush vineyards and the beautiful Moselle valley.