Rhine and Moselle from Koblenz and back

Koblenz – St. Goar

Embarkation at 2:00 PM in Koblenz. At 3:00 PM the ship sails south along the Rhine past Boppard into the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley to St. Goar. The ruins of Rheinfels Castle are located above the small town. Opposite on the other side of the Rhine are the two castles Katz and Maus (Cat and Mouse) and a little further upstream the famous Loreley rock. First overnight stay on board in St. Goar.

St. Goar – Bacharach – Bingen – Rüdesheim (30 km)

Your first cycle tour along the beautiful Rhine cycle path starts in St. Goar. Today you will cycle through the narrowest, steepest and perhaps most impressive part of the Rhine Valley. Enjoy the view of the Loreley rock towering high above the river on the way to Oberwesel. Continue via Bacharach to Bingen. On a small island in the Rhine at the “Binger Loch” narrows, you will see the medieval Mäuseturm (Mouse tower). Together with Ehrenfels Castle opposite, this tower, which is around 25 meters high, used to serve as a watchtower and customs office for collecting Rhine tolls. In Bingen, you cross the river by ferry to the wine town of Rüdesheim, your destination for today.

Rüdesheim – Mainz (35 km or 43 km)

After you have perhaps had a look at Rüdesheim before the crowds of tourists start flowing into the town, your cycle tour to Mainz starts here. Today you can choose between a shorter, flatter tour or a longer tour with more elevation gain. The shorter tour takes you along the right bank of the Rhine to Mainz. The longer tour leads from Oestrich uphill with a gradient of up to 5% to the beautiful Romanesque and early Gothic Eberbach Monastery, a former Cistercian abbey, which is also famous for its wine-growing. In Mainz, you will cross the Rhine bridge directly into the old town, where the ship is moored. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening in the old town of Mainz with its numerous sights.

Mainz – Winningen | Winningen – Treis-Karden (40 km/24.8 mi.)

The ship departs Mainz at 6:00 a.m., sailing downstream through the Rhine Valley. Early risers are treated to serene views of the landscapes you’ve cycled through the day before. At Koblenz, the ship turns into the Moselle River, passing the Deutsches Eck. You’ll disembark briefly in Winningen, where today’s cycling tour begins. You can choose between two cycling routes today. One leads to the iconic Eltz Castle, following a scenic route via Moselkern into the Eltz Valley, finishing with a 2 km forest path through fairy-tale woods, a highlight for many. If you prefer, you can skip the final steep ascent and take a bus from Hatzenport. The other route takes you to Thurant Castle in Alken, which is visible across the river. This route includes either a challenging bike ascent or a path with stairs leading up to the castle. The final stretch of the ride continues via Moselkern and Müden, ending in the tranquil wine village of Treis-Karden, where the ship awaits

Treis-Karden – Zell | Zell – Bernkastel-Kues (45 km/28 mi.)

The ship departs early from Treis-Karden and arrives around midday in Zell, where your bike tour begins. From here, cycle approximately 45 km along the Moselle, passing picturesque landscapes and charming wine towns. A standout stop today is Traben-Trarbach, once the center of the Moselle wine trade and known for its elegant Art Nouveau buildings. The ride continues through unspoiled countryside until you reach Bernkastel-Kues, famous for its half-timbered houses on the market square and the historic St. Nikolaus Hospital, home to a valuable library. As always along the Moselle, wine and hospitality take center stage, and you’ll experience both here.

The ship remains docked overnight in Bernkastel-Kues

Bernkastel-Kues – Zell | Zell – Cochem (41 km/25.4 mi.)

Today the ship sails early again to Zell, where you begin your bike ride, this time downstream toward Cochem. Another beautiful day on two wheels awaits, with several memorable stops along the way. Visit the picturesque village of Beilstein, known for its Black Madonna and timeless charm. You’ll also encounter the Bremmer Calmont, the steepest vineyard in Europe. A striking sight for cyclists and wine lovers alike. Once in Cochem, you’ll have ample time to explore. Take in views from the Imperial Castle (Reichsburg), stroll through bustling shopping streets, or relax on a terrace and watch the local life unfold. After dinner on board, you have the option to join a wine tasting at the renowned Weingut Hieronimi, located near the mooring location.

Cochem – Winningen | Winningen – Koblenz (10 km or 40 km)

While you have breakfast, the ship sails from Cochem to Winningen, where it makes a short stop before continuing on to Koblenz around 11: 00AM for the last short leg. You can cover the last few kilometers to Koblenz on board or by bike. You will then spend and enjoy the afternoon in the historic old town of Koblenz. The Romans first built a fortified urban settlement at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine and called it Confluentes (“confluence”).

Koblenz

End of your journey. Disembarkation after breakfast, by 9.30 AM.