Upper Moselle scenic drive: Trier, Elbling and the tri-border
A 95 km loop through the upper Moselle, from Roman Trier past Konz and the Elbling wine villages at Nittel, the Roman mosaic of Nennig and the tri-border at Perl and Schengen, back over the Saargau past Saarburg. For convertibles, ordinary cars, motorbikes and campervans.
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Photos via Wikimedia Commons: the upper Moselle at Nittel by Gerd Eichmann (CC BY 4.0), the Porta Nigra in Trier by Thomas Wolf (CC BY-SA 3.0 de).
The Roman upper Moselle
The upper Moselle is the quietest of the three Moselle loops on Touren.app: the broad, sunny stretch between Trier and the French border, where the river forms the frontier with Luxembourg. This drive starts in Trier, the oldest city in Germany, founded by the Romans, with the Porta Nigra as its mightiest surviving monument. From there you carry on via Konz, where the Saar flows into the Moselle, into the Elbling wine villages: Nittel and its neighbours, where Germany's oldest grape grows and you look straight across into Luxembourg. On to Nennig with its famous Roman mosaic, and to Perl, where Germany, Luxembourg and France meet at Schengen. The return runs over the Saargau, past the waterfall town of Saarburg. About 95 kilometres in all, a full day of Roman traces, wine and borders, without a single metre of motorway.
This is the third and final Moselle loop, completing the river. The Moselle scenic drive around Cochem takes the lower valley, the Middle Moselle scenic drive around Bernkastel the heart, and this loop the upper reaches. Together they cover the whole German Moselle, from the French border to the Rhine. See them all in the Moselle region guide.
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. Trier (Porta Nigra)
Trier was founded by the Romans as Augusta Treverorum and is the oldest city in Germany. The proof still stands: the Porta Nigra, the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps, the Imperial Baths, the amphitheatre, the Constantine Basilica and the cathedral, the oldest in the country. The Roman monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An impressive start, with the wine river right around the corner.
Practical: park on the edge or in a car park; explore the compact old centre with the Roman monuments on foot.
2. Konz
Just south of Trier, the Saar flows into the Moselle at Konz. Here the real upper-Moselle wine road begins: the river widens, the slopes soften and the first Elbling vineyards appear. Konz itself was an imperial villa in Roman times; now it is a quiet junction between the two rivers. From here you follow the German bank upstream, with Luxembourg soon on the far side.
Practical: park by the river; a short walk to the confluence of the Saar and the Moselle.
3. Nittel
Nittel is the heart of Elbling country: the Elbling is the oldest grape in Germany, a Roman-era variety grown today almost only on the upper Moselle. The steep terraces climb above the broad river, and across the water lies Luxembourg, villages like Machtum and Wormeldange a stone's throw away. You can literally look into another country from your terrace here. Wine trails and Straußwirtschaften, the growers' taverns, make it a quiet, real wine stop.
Practical: park in the village; a bridge or ferry takes you into Luxembourg in minutes. Explore the vineyards on foot.
4. Nennig
At Nennig lies the Roman Villa Nennig, with the largest and best-preserved Roman mosaic north of the Alps: a floor of nearly 160 square metres, showing gladiators and musicians in fine, colourful stones. It is a surprise among the vineyards, and a reminder that the Moselle has been a rich, settled region for two thousand years. Nearby lies the reconstructed Roman Villa Borg.
Practical: park at the villa; the mosaic sits in a protective building (mind the opening hours). Villa Borg is a fifteen-minute drive away.
5. Perl & Schengen
Perl is the most south-westerly Moselle town in Germany, and here three countries meet: Germany, Luxembourg and France touch at the tri-border. Across the water lies Schengen, the Luxembourg village where the 1985 Schengen Agreement was signed, on a ship in the middle of the Moselle. The river is a true border here; from one car park you stand almost in three countries at once. A remarkable turning point of the route.
Practical: park in Perl or at the European monument on the bank; a bridge takes you into Schengen (Luxembourg). Fuel is often cheaper across the border.
6. Saarburg
From Perl you turn inland and climb over the Saargau, the open plateau between the Moselle and the Saar, back towards Trier. On the way lies Saarburg on the Saar, a small half-timbered town with a surprise: the Leukbach stream tumbles right through the old town as a real waterfall, with the castle high above. From Saarburg you follow the Saar back to Konz and Trier, where the loop closes.
Practical: park on the edge of Saarburg; the waterfall and the half-timbered centre are within walking distance, the climb to the castle is done on foot.
Practical: for convertible, motorbike and camper
From the Netherlands and Belgium: Trier is the most south-westerly major city on the Moselle. From the border at Aachen you reach Trier in about two and a half hours. To start the loop from your holiday base, type your start town into the planner and Touren.app rebuilds the same route from Trier, Konz, Perl or wherever you are.
Three Moselle loops: this upper-Moselle drive completes the river. Combine with the Middle Moselle scenic drive around Bernkastel and the Moselle scenic drive around Cochem, or see them all in the Moselle region guide.
Which vehicle: the upper Moselle is broad and relaxed, the Saargau open and winding, together great for convertible and motorbike. It works well in a campervan too; Trier and Saarburg have narrow cores, so park on the edge.
A hop into Luxembourg: the whole upper stretch borders Luxembourg. A bridge or ferry takes you across; fuel is often cheaper there, and the wine villages on the far side (Wormeldange, Remich) are a nice extension. The Middle Rhine scenic drive past the Loreley is within reach too.
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 the upper Moselle and how far is it from the Netherlands?
The upper Moselle is the stretch between Trier and the French border, in Rhineland-Palatinate and the Saarland. From the border at Aachen you reach Trier, the start and the oldest city in Germany, in about two and a half hours.
What is there to see in Trier?
Trier is the oldest city in Germany, founded by the Romans. The Porta Nigra (the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps), the Imperial Baths, the amphitheatre, the Constantine Basilica and the cathedral are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A compact, impressive city to explore on foot.
What is Elbling?
Elbling is the oldest grape in Germany, a Roman-era variety grown today almost only on the upper Moselle around Nittel. A fresh, dry white wine and a true local product.
How long is the Upper Moselle scenic drive?
About 95 kilometres, with around 1 hour and 40 minutes of pure driving, measured via Google Maps with motorways avoided. With Trier, the Elbling villages, Nennig, Perl and Saarburg it is a full day.
Is the route suitable for convertible, motorbike and camper?
Yes. The upper Moselle is broad and relaxed, the Saargau open and winding, together ideal for convertible and motorbike. The route works well in a campervan too; Trier and Saarburg have narrow cores, so 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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