Moselle scenic drive: Cochem, the Calmont and the wine villages
A 77 km loop through the lower Moselle valley, from the Reichsburg of Cochem past the half-timbered town of Beilstein, the Calmont (the steepest vineyard in Europe) at Bremm and the panorama over the Zeller Hamm to the wine town of Zell, back over the Moselle heights. Burg Eltz is just around the corner. For convertibles, ordinary cars, motorbikes and campervans.
For Garmin, Komoot or TomTom: download the GPX.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Reichsburg Cochem by Steffen Schmitz / Carschten (CC BY-SA 3.0 de), Burg Eltz by Johannes Dörrstock (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Along the wine river
The Moselle winds in sharp loops through a deep valley, lined on both sides by Germany's steepest vineyards. This loop takes the finest stretch: from the Reichsburg high above Cochem, past the beautifully preserved half-timbered town of Beilstein, to the Calmont at Bremm, the steepest vineyard in Europe above an almost circular river bend. On to the view over the Zeller Hamm, the sharpest bend of the whole Moselle, and the wine town of Zell. The return runs over the Moselle heights, with ever-changing glimpses of the river. About 77 kilometres in all, a full day of water, wine and half-timbering, without a single metre of motorway.
And Burg Eltz is right around the corner: one of the most famous medieval castles in Europe, hidden in a side valley, a fifteen-minute drive from Cochem. An easy side-trip before or after the loop. The Moselle is about two hours from the border and has been a firm favourite holiday region for the Dutch and Belgians for decades.
The route on the map
A schematic overview by Touren.app, not a navigation map. The exact route opens under “Drive this route” or in Google Maps. Map orientation: north is up.
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The places along the route
1. Cochem (Reichsburg)
Cochem is the best-known town on the Moselle, with the Reichsburg high on a cone above the rooftops. The castle was rebuilt in neo-Gothic style in the nineteenth century on a medieval base and is the largest hilltop castle on the Moselle. Below lie a well-preserved half-timbered market square and the river promenade; the Sesselbahn chairlift floats you up to the Pinnerkreuz with its view over the valley. One of the most popular day trips from the Netherlands and Belgium.
Practical: park on the edge or by the river; explore the centre and the castle on foot. Burg Eltz is a fifteen-minute drive away.
2. Beilstein
Beilstein is called the Dornroeschenstadt, the Sleeping Beauty town, for good reason: a tiny, fully preserved half-timbered village against the slope, with a market square, the Carmelite church and the ruin of Burg Metternich above. There is barely any new building, so it feels like a film set (and often has been one). Wine cellars and terraces along the narrow lanes make it a perfect stop.
Practical: park on the edge of the village; explore the core and the climb to Burg Metternich on foot.
3. Bremm (Calmont)
At Bremm the Calmont rises up, with slopes of almost seventy percent the steepest vineyard in Europe. The terraces climb almost vertically above a razor-sharp Moselle bend; a via ferrata even runs through the vineyard. Across the river lies the ruin of Stuben monastery. From the bank or the heights it is one of the most spectacular sights of the whole Moselle.
Practical: park in Bremm or Ediger-Eller; the viewpoint and the vineyard steps are reached on foot.
4. Marienburg (Zeller Hamm)
Between Bremm and Zell the Moselle makes its sharpest loop: the Zeller Hamm, where the river turns almost a full circle around a narrow neck of land. On the neck stands the Marienburg, a former monastery, and nearby the Prinzenkopf tower with its famous panorama over the almost pinched-off river bend. The finest view of the route.
Practical: park at the Marienburg; a short walk to the Prinzenkopf lookout tower for the panorama.
5. Zell
Zell closes the loop, the wine town known for the Zeller Schwarze Katz, perhaps the most famous wine of the Moselle. Along the river lie a promenade, the Round Tower of the old town wall and wine houses at the water. From Zell you climb over the Moselle heights back to Cochem, with glimpses of the river loops on the way.
Practical: park by the river; the promenade and the wine houses are within walking distance.
Practical: for convertible, motorbike and camper
From the Netherlands and Belgium: the Moselle has been a classic holiday region for decades. From the border at Aachen you reach Cochem in about two hours. To start the loop from your holiday base, type your start town into the planner and Touren.app rebuilds the same route from Cochem, Zell, Traben-Trarbach or wherever you are.
Burg Eltz as a side-trip: one of the most famous castles in Europe lies not on the Moselle itself but in a hidden side valley, a fifteen-minute drive from Cochem. You park at the castle (near Wierschem) or in Moselkern and walk the last stretch. An easy side-trip, more than worth it, before or after the loop.
Which vehicle: the riverside roads and the Moselle heights are winding and varied, great for convertible and motorbike. It works well in a campervan too; mind the narrow half-timbered centres of Beilstein and Cochem and park on the edge.
The Eifel is next door: the Moselle borders the Eifel to the north. To make a few days of it, combine with the Volcanic Eifel scenic drive or the High Eifel scenic drive around the Nürburgring.
How we keep it honest: we have measured this loop and curated the stops; the label is 'measured and checked'; driving it comes next. The distance was set via Google Maps with motorways avoided.
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Email this route to yourselfFrequently asked questions
Where is this Moselle route and how far is it from the Netherlands?
The route lies in the lower Moselle valley around Cochem, in Rhineland-Palatinate. From the border at Aachen you reach Cochem, the start, in about two hours. The Moselle has been a firm favourite holiday region for the Dutch and Belgians for decades.
Can you include Burg Eltz on this route?
Yes, as a side-trip. Burg Eltz lies not on the Moselle itself but in a hidden side valley, a fifteen-minute drive from Cochem. You park at the castle (Wierschem) or in Moselkern and walk the last stretch. Ideal before or after the loop.
What is the Calmont?
The Calmont at Bremm is, with slopes of almost seventy percent, the steepest vineyard in Europe. The wine terraces climb almost vertically above a sharp Moselle bend; a via ferrata even runs through it. One of the most spectacular places on the whole Moselle.
How long is the Moselle scenic drive?
About 77 kilometres, with around 1 hour and 22 minutes of pure driving, measured via Google Maps with motorways avoided. With Cochem, Beilstein, the Calmont, the Zeller Hamm and Zell (and optionally Burg Eltz) it is a full day.
Is the route suitable for convertible, motorbike and camper?
Yes. The riverside roads and the Moselle heights are winding and varied, ideal for convertible and motorbike. The route works well in a campervan too; mind the narrow half-timbered centres of Beilstein and Cochem and park on the edge.
Are the exports really free?
Yes, free with a Touren.app credit on them. You never pay us for exports; those who want to drive without ads and offline choose Plus.
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