Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival in Saarbrücken

Loafing around in Saarbrücken, you will feel the French flair. The traces left by the changing affiliation of the town to either Germany or France can still be witnessed today, also in the local cuisine. For the local population serving escargots, shrimps, or paté and kir or pastis for appetizers is just normal.
The confectionaries with their sweet creations are a real paradise for anyone with a sweet tooth. The St. Johanner Markt with its numerous bars, bistros and restaurants is where the heart of the town beats. Here is the place to meet or to walk around the picturesque narrow streets situated around the market place. Noble boutiques and precious antique shops can be found in between old Baroque houses. We recommend arriving early in Saarbrücken, your bikes will be waiting for you at the hotel.

Day 2:
Saarbrücken to Mettlach, 37 miles (59 km)

From Saarbrücken, the Saar takes you first of all through the former coal mining area and to the town of Saarlouis, still in the style of a French fortress constructed by Vauban. A stop in Völklingen is an absolute must-do. The Völklinger Hütte is one of 33 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites in Germany and its importance is equal to the Egyptian pyramids, the Chinese Wall, the cathedral of Cologne or the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Visiting the Völklinger Hütte is a real adventure. You will have the chance to walk deep into the dark corridors of the chargers’ hall as well as to climb high up to the viewing platform by the blast furnace. Afterwards, you will follow the splendidly constructed bike trail along the Saar to Merzig until reaching the impressive Saar loop. Here, you should exchange your bikes for walking shoes and walk up to the vantage point 'Cloef'. After only 30 minutes you will enjoy a spectacular view over the Saar loop and the surrounding landscape!

Day 3:
Mettlach to Trier, 26 miles (42 km)

On the Saar bike trail today you will cycle through wooded landscape to Saarburg. In Saarburg, the majestic castle sits enthroned high above the narrow lanes of the town. A coffee break in the very pretty Old Town will supply you with enough energy for the rest of the stage. Accompanied by the vestiges of the Romans, you will cross Konz to arrive in Treves (Trier). Discover the historical Old Town and do not miss out on the Roman thermal baths or the Porta Nigra.

Day 4:
Trier to Piesport, 29 miles (46 km)

Today, Roman past and contemporary viniculture will meet. The Moselle bike trail leads you to Mehring, where you can visit the Villa Rustica, a Roman manor house. Today, the reconstructed walls and foundations can be visited again. You will now cycle to Trittenheim, where a nature trail informs about the year of the vine-grower, the local variety of grape 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, but be careful as you get back onto your bike!

Day 5:
Piesport to Traben-Trarbach, 25 miles (40 km)

The two famous Moselle towns of Bernkastel-Kues and Traben-Trarbach and the well-known wine growing resort "Kröver Nacktarsch" are today’s highlight! Marvel at the colourful half-timbered buildings surrounding the market place of Bernkastel-Kues. In Traben-Trarbach, you can take a boat trip.

Day 6:
Traben-Trarbach to Cochem, 35 miles (56 km)

You will discover Enkirch today, a jewel of the Moselle region’s traditional half-timbered architecture. Later on, you will reach Zell, the wine-growing resort with the "Zeller Schwarzen Katz" (The Black cat of Zell). Take a relaxing break in the small town of Beilstein, proud of its surname "Rothenburg an der Mosel". Cochem's old quarter is dominated by the late-Gothic imperial castle and is dotted with medieval squares and lovingly restored timber-framed houses – architectural gems typical of the Moselle region. But it is not only the fairytale buildings in and around Cochem that remind visitors of its 2,000-year legacy; the town's folk tales and wine traditions are also kept very much alive.

Day 7:
Cochem to Koblenz, 31 miles (49 km)

Before the Moselle bike trail takes you to the neat wine-growing villages like Koben Gondorf or Winningen and to the Deutsche Eck, you will have the chance 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:
Departure from Koblenz

Departure from Koblenz after breakfast.