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THE MOSEL
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ELLENZ - POLTERSDORF TO SAARBURG (ROUND TRIP- 350 km)
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The Mosel is a beautiful river which winds continuously through the valley. The hills on either side are covered with vineyards. This has to be our favourite ride, having done it 4 times in the last 10 years. . The river is a working river with large barges freighting coal, scrap metal, etc, and an abundance of cruise boats from all over Europe . Villages every few kilometres are sprinkled with places to stay from private rooms to touristy hotels. We recommend staying in a few .weinguts. which are the homes of the owners of a portion of a vineyard. These families have an area where they grow their grapes, make the wine, bottle it, market it and sell it. Staying at such a place ensures plentiful opportunities to sample their wines. The accommodation is, as always, excellent value. When you stay at a private house or pension you will almost always find, in the breakfast room, a fridge full of bottles of water, juices, wine and beer, and glasses on a table. So, while playing cards or chatting you take what you fancy and enter in a book what you have taken. When you leave next day it is added to your bill - very inexpensive!
We recommend you obtain a route map readily available from any tourist office along the Mosel . .Moselland-Radwanderfuhrer. or you can obtain a Bikeline route map possibly in English from www.stanfords.co.uk - just to keep you on the right track!
Almost all of this ride is on off-road tarmac cycle track and the rest on very quiet side roads. Very rarely do you have to ride on a main road . but if so, there is usually a cycle track alongside. The riding is flat in both directions . well, perhaps the odd incline here and there but nothing too difficult!! And the route is well marked.
Our base is either in Ellenz-Poltersdorf (www.steinfelderhof-ellenz.de ) or Saarburg ( www.gaensehaus.de/ ) Below is Ellenz-Poltersdorf to Saarburg return with a final day trip to Cochem.
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Day 1 (55km) To Krov
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Mainly cycle track alongside the river. After crossing the river at Neef there is a sign off to the left that takes you up a track, but we recommend you stay on the road as the alternative is a hilly rough gravel track (!!) and the road is fairly quiet and not long! The ride to Zell, a pretty wine town, is on off - road tarmac track beside the river and is a delight. The ride continues along a track which is quite narrow, through wooded area and a few very easy ups and downs. After Pundrich there is the opportunity to cross the river. We recommend you do this as it is off road into Traben Trarbach - worth a stop! Krov is on same side of river 7km further on! Krov is a quaint wine town which is well worth seeing and enjoying the .weinguts..
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Day 2 (50km) To Leiwen
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On leaving Krov follow the signs which take you through vineyards. At Kinheim cross the river and enjoy a peaceful ride to Bernkastel. This is a beautiful small town with some lovely buildings . over 700 years old and very busy with tourists during the day. Continuing your ride, which is mainly off road, you pass many wine villages, including Piesport. |
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Day 3 (60km) To Saarburg Extra night?
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On this part of the ride we leave the Mosel and take the Saar tributary. The ride is off road, except when entering Trier and negotiating the bridges at Konz. From your map you will see two routes to/from Konz/Saarburg, we recommend you try them both. An extra night in Saarburg is recommended as it is an attractive small town and makes a very pleasant .rest. day!
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Day 4 (45km) To Longuich (hotel zur Linde)
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The trip to Longuich is leisurely, so you can always stop in at the large market square in Trier for lunch and a bit of shopping.
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Day 5 (50km) To Bernkastel/Kues ( www.gaestehaus-zum-rebstock.de ) Extra night?
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The ride back to Bernkastel we recommend the same route and maybe stop at some of the other villages you missed on the way to Saarburg. Bernkastel.s popularity is justified and worth an extra night. At about 6pm the town changes. The crowds disappear and it becomes a very quiet and peaceful town. The restaurants are no longer over-flowing and everyone has time to chat. The Zum Rebstock is an excellent, reasonably priced guesthouse and ideally situated in the centre of the pedestrian zone. Request the bedroom overlooking the street.
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Day 6 (70km) To Ellenz-Poltersdorf ( www.steinfelderhof-ellenz.de )
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The journey back is all down hill and just as beautiful as on the way up. |
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Day 7 (25km) The round trip Ellenz to Cochem.
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Cochem is another interesting town which attracts the tourists. There is plenty to see and a climb (on foot!) up to the castle is worthwhile.
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