Mosel High-Altitude Cycle Route - The Sundial Route
- start: Bernkastel-Kues, Graacher Tor
- destination: Bernkastel-Kues
- medium
- 28,46 km
- 2 hours 20 minutes
- 231 m
- 302 m
- 103 m
- 100 / 100
- 60 / 100
Pure cycling fun for summit climbers into the steep slopes of the Mosel vineyards and gentle cycling out along the Mosel banks - a combination of a high-altitude cycling route and the Mosel Cycle Path (main or side route).
A cycling route for e-bikers or sporty touring cyclists - with the opportunity to discover the landscape from different perspectives - from a bird's-eye view in the steep slopes and from a frog’s perspective at the Mosel banks!
Insights into the route:
The cycling tour starts at the Graacher Tor in the old town of Bernkastel and leads steeply up into the vineyards. It offers breathtaking panoramas with great views of Bernkastel-Kues, the Mosel, and the vineyards. Along the way, theme paths like "Lizard Loves Riesling" or the Zeltingen "Variety Garden" provide information about the flora and fauna of the Mosel region. The route goes twice under one of the highest road bridges in Europe. At a height of about 160 meters, the structure spans 1.7 kilometers across the Mosel valley. The return journey is along the Mosel banks and passes not only charming wine villages but also sights such as a Roman pressing facility, a former Cistercian monastery, a suspension bridge, and a Mosel dam.
Impressions
General information
Directions
In the old town of Bernkastel, the route starts at the only remaining city gate, the Graacher Tor. Passing the St. Josef Chapel and individual stations of the theme path "Lizard Loves Riesling," the route leads through the vineyard "Badstube" up to a viewing platform on the uppermost Wingertsweg. From there it continues, then the steep section up to the Bernkastel Jewish cemetery and on to the Graacher district "Schäferei." Once there, we follow the Panorama Street to the left and then a short distance following the signs to the hiking parking lot "Auf’m Hahn." Then, however, we turn again onto a vineyard path that opens up the highest vineyards. Through the vineyard "Graacher Himmelreich," we cycle towards Zeltingen-Rachtig and enjoy a particularly scenic section. Above Zeltingen-Rachtig, we reach the "Variety Garden," where on a former approx. 4000 m² vineyard area, many Mediterranean and exotic bushes and trees have been planted alongside native shrubs and useful woodlands. The route continues through the vineyards of Zeltingen-Rachtig and Erden, goes under the "Hochmosel Bridge" and at mid-slope on the "Panorama cycling route" up to the road feeder of the "Hochmosel Bridge." We follow the feeder towards the Mosel and cross the Mosel bridge at the roundabout between the wine villages Erden and Lösnich. On the other side of the Mosel, we start the return leg on the bike path running parallel to the B 53 towards Ürzig. Along the way, we pass the Roman pressing facility of Erden and the rock world of Ürzig. At the entrance to Ürzig is the "Mönchshof" winery, filming location of the TV series "Mosel Bridge." Behind Ürzig, the route goes again under the "Hochmosel Bridge" and continues to the Machern Monastery. The former Cistercian monastery houses a toy and icon museum as well as various gastronomy businesses. Machern Monastery is also known as a venue for the "Mosel Festival Weeks." At the Mosel bridge of Zeltingen-Rachtig, you can decide on which riverbank the path back to Bernkastel-Kues should lead. Either cycle over the Mosel bridge to Zeltingen-Rachtig and take the main route of the "Mosel Cycle Path" on the return journey or choose the side route via Bernkastel-Wehlen, past the visitor platform of the Mosel dam.
Safety Guidelines
Please note that the route is not signposted.
Equipment
E-bike recommended
Tip
Make a stop at Machern Monastery and visit the toy, doll, and icon museum.
Getting there
Parking
There are parking facilities in Bernkastel-Kues on both sides of the Mosel.
Public transit
Bernkastel-Kues: Taxi Edringer: 06531 - 8149, Taxi Priwitzer: 06531 - 96970, Taxi Reitz: 06531 - 6455
Literature
A wide selection of cycle paths in the Bernkastel-Kues holiday region can be found in "aufgestattelt." This brochure is available in all tourist information offices in the holiday region.
Also online: aufgesattelt and Cycle Routes
Maps
aufgesattelt - the cycling guide in the Bernkastel-Kues holiday region. With description and map.
Additional Information
Holiday Region Bernkastel-Kues
Gestade 6
54470 Bernkastel-Kues
Tel. 06531/50019-0
www.bernkastel.de
Pavings
- Asphalt Coating (8%)
- Street (33%)
- Crushed Rock (54%)
- Hiking Trail (5%)
Weather
This tour is presented by: Ferienland Bernkastel-Kues, Author: Lisa Gerber