Moselsteig Detour Extratour Zitronenkrämerkreuz

The Extratour Zitronenkrämerkreuz offers you a mix of unique river panoramas, sun-drenched vineyards, adventurous steep paths, quiet forest and meadow passages, as well as magnificent views of the adjacent low mountain range regions Eifel and Hunsrück. Cultural gems such as the Roman aqueduct in Pölich or the Zitronenkrämerkreuz are further highlights of this multifaceted route.

The starting point itself, the Huxlay Plateau with a small vine-covered hut and a spectacular view of the Moselle valley, is a first highlight. Amidst slate slopes, you hike on narrow paths lined with dense vineyards and impressive views to the Roman aqueduct—an actual marvel of ancient engineering that still functions today. Informative display boards invite exploration. Along the edge of the slope, the path continues parallel to the riverbed to a deeply incised side valley shaped by the Eisgraben into the slate slopes. Now you reach an almost mythical section of the path, as the valley appears wild and quaint. It marks the beginning of a series of steep descents and ascents, primeval forest-like gorge passages, bridges and footbridges, and various forest scenes. Then the path returns to the Moselle, only to soon disappear inland into the next gorge. You eventually reach Martinskreuz, which invites you to rest with a wonderful view high above the village of Ensch.

Now it really gets wild, as the rustic Krautenbach valley beckons. Just a moment ago at the edge of the slope with views over the Moselle landscape, soon you are vanished into a completely secluded world. This passage offers you a pure nature experience. The romantic Moselle is never far away, and suddenly endless vineyard areas appear again, and the path opens up spectacular views along the slope repeatedly. A dark hole in a wall of ivy interrupts the cozy Moselle idyll, and now it goes deep into the hinterland. Another high plateau with vitamin-rich orchard meadows and extensive pastures awaits you. The path now leads to the Lörscher riding farm, where you can enjoy a refreshing break.

Freshly strengthened, the route continues through a longer forest section to the Sauerbrunnen and to the namesake of this tour, the Zitronenkrämerkreuz. In 1687, an Italian lemon merchant from Lenno on Lake Como is said to have been killed here on his way to Trier. His relatives had the sandstone cross erected in his memory. You can take a breather at the rest area before the path leads back over wide fields and meadow landscapes towards the Moselle. Above the Huxlay Plateau, the path meets the picturesque river again. On a genuine panoramic route, which resembles a single sun terrace, you walk high above the Moselle along dense vineyards. The path leads over a bird and fruit tree educational trail to a chapel, an insect hotel, and finally to the health and fitness park Mehring-Pölich. Via the so-called Himmelstreppe you return to the starting point of the hike, the small hut at the Huxlay Plateau.

• sturdy footwear
• hiking clothing
• packed lunch

Book recommendation: The Cross of the Lemon Merchant (The Life and Death of Ambrosius Carove 1)

By own vehicle via the A 1, exit Mehring, continue through Mehring to the Moselle bridge. On the other side of the Moselle, turn immediately left into Brückenstraße. Brückenstraße is followed by Linterstraße. There is a parking lot there.

Hiking car park Huxlay Plateau above Mehring. Due to the narrow hillside road, it is especially recommended during the grape harvest to park already in the locality of Mehring and hike up to the plateau (about 2000 m approach to the Huxlay Plateau). Parking spaces are also available in other starting points in Pölich (50 m west of the Roman aqueduct), Schleich, and Ensch in the localities.

By train to Trier main station.

From there, take bus line 220 every hour from Trier to Mehring - get off at "Brückenstraße"!

From there it is about 1500 m to the start/finish portal of the hike at Huxlay Plateau.

Further information on the detailed timetable at: www.vrt-info.de

or directly on the VRT timetable page and enter bus line 220 in the form: https://www.vrt-info.de/fahrplanauskunft/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=de&itdLPxx_contractor=vrt

"Seitensprünge Band 1" - 10 premium circular hikes from Trier to Bernkastel-Kues by ideemedia

Authors: Ulrike Poller, Wolfgang Todt, Publisher: ideemedia, 114 pages, format: 11.0 x 16.4 cm, ISBN: 978-3-942779-59-3, €12.95

Leisure map Moselsteig - Map 2: Trier - Zell (Moselle) (Stages 5 - 14), ISBN: 978-3-89637-420-2

Mosellandtouristik GmbH

Kordelweg 1, 54470 Bernkastel-Kues; Phone: 06531/97330

www.moselsteig.de

Tourist Information Roman Wine Route

Brückenstraße 46, 54338 Schweich; Phone: 06502 93380

www.roemische-weinstrasse.de