Moselsteig detour Moselachter

The detour starts at the Zummethöhe parking lot. The approximately 15 km long path in the shape of a figure eight is divided into two roughly equally long circular routes (downstream Kronenbergrunde and upstream Sonnenbergrunde), which intersect at the starting point, the Zummethöhe parking lot. After the hike, you can decide whether to end the hike after one of the two rounds or to attach the second part of the eight.

The Kronenbergrunde leads predominantly through vineyards and open land, while the Sonnenbergrunde passes through forest for a large part of the route. Both rounds offer repeated panoramic views.

The Kronenbergrunde starts on the opposite side of the street from the parking lot. From here, you have a panoramic view of the Mosel loop near Trittenheim and Leiwen. This view accompanies the hiker along the entire, almost level path through the vineyards. A great opportunity to warm up a bit on the hike, because afterwards the detour leads through the steep slope. Those who are not absolutely sure-footed should use the recommended alternative here, which reconnects with the main route again at Konstantinhöhe.

The path through the wooded steep slope leads with constant ups and downs until it finally goes steeply uphill past the slate cave (bring a flashlight) to reach Konstantinhöhe. The plateau with a nice rest area is suitable for a break.

From Konstantinhöhe, the path now moves slightly away from the Mosel valley and moderately climbs via meadow paths accompanied by hedges to the Kronenberg plateau. Once on the plateau (which is mainly used as a large, contiguous pasture area for Hof Kron), you have almost unobstructed views in all directions. At the edge of the slope towards the Mosel, the impressive deep view of the river is complemented by the distant view of the heights of the Eifel and Hunsrück. The detour leads directly past Hofgut Kron on its circuit of the plateau, which invites you to stop for refreshments.

For a short distance, the detour follows the access road to the farm at level before the circular route descends steeply on a meadow path to a slope path above the Kleine Dhron valley. The way then winds variedly along the hillside. The south-facing slopes of the Mosel side valley were previously covered with vineyards. Nowadays, only a few parcels are cultivated here, creating a patchwork of vineyards, open land, initial reforestation, and fallow land.

Below a barbecue hut, you meet the Moselsteig, which accompanies the detour back to the Zummethöhe parking lot. From the hillside path looking into the Kleine Dhron valley, you can also see some mills. One of these mills is the birthplace of the famous author Stefan Andres, who in his novels also tells about his childhood life in a remote Mosel village ("Der Knabe im Brunnen").

After the first part of the Moselachter has introduced you to the landscape east of Zummethöhe, the Sonnenbergrunde begins on the same side as the hiking parking lot and leads the detour explorers around the holiday park Sonnenberg located on the height. Before you start, hungry hikers and you have dining options at Zummethöhe (some with a scenic terrace).

Initially, the path runs together with the Moselsteig on an asphalted path moderately uphill to a large forest crossroads. The route continues (now only marked by the detour marking) slightly uphill on the forest path. On both sides of the path, impressive mature Douglas firs stand. At the edge of the holiday park Sonnenberg, reached on the height, there is a climbing park for those who still want "real climbing" after the ascent. The holiday park also offers various possibilities to interrupt the hike (gastronomy, mini-golf, etc.).

The detour leads through the holiday homes and reaches the southernmost point of the Moselachter. The following forest path through mixed forest winds along the Mosel-facing valley slope of the Schantelbach without large elevation changes. Behind a hairpin bend, the scenery changes, and an orchard is reached. The many seating and lying options at the upper edge of the meadow are rightly called "Moselkino". If you like, you can simply lie down on the terrace-style arranged meadow plateaus and enjoy the Mosel panorama towards Leiwen and Trittenheim. A place from which it is hard to tear yourself away.

Now it goes a little steeper uphill. The last part of the ascent (together with the Moselsteig) passes a game enclosure. At the top, you can then relax at a rest area or a lounger and enjoy again a somewhat different perspective of the Mosel loop.

Together with the Moselsteig, the Moselachter leads downhill through the forest. You accompany and cross the access road to the holiday park until you reach the large forest crossroads known from the outward route. A short detour leads to the Marienkapelle, which nestles against the slate rocks in the valley slope of the Kleine Dhron. The forest path above the road then quickly leads back to the starting parking lot at Zummethöhe.

A section of the Kronenbergrunde should only be walked by sure-footed hikers. The easier alternative route is indicated on-site.

The detour should only be walked with suitable (sturdy) shoes/hiking boots.

The first part of the Moselachter (the Kronenbergrunde) leads mainly through vineyards and open land. You should consider this on sunny days. The Sonnenbergrunde can also be hiked on warm and sunny days, as it leads through forest for long stretches. Both rounds offer numerous viewpoints. Picnic spots include Konstantinhöhe, the "Moselkino", or the rest areas above the game enclosure.

The approach is via B 53 to the center of Trittenheim and then on L 148 to Leiwen-Zummet.

The Zummethöhe hiking parking lot has about 20 spaces. There is an information board about the detour at the parking lot. The entrance is directly possible here to both partial rounds.

With the Moselbahn bus line 333 through the Mosel valley between Trier and Bullay, the line of the bus company Moselbahn follows the Mosel route via Ruwer, Schweich, Mehring, Leiwen, Trittenheim, Neumagen, Bernkastel-Kues, and Traben.

More info on the detailed timetable at: https://www.moselbahn.de/de/fahrplaene_strecken/fahrplaene

or directly on the VRT timetable page by entering bus line 333 into the field: https://www.moselbahn.de/de/fahrplaene_strecken/linie/333

"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

Hiking map Mosel - Schweich holiday region on the Roman Wine Road, scale 1:25,000

ISBN: 978-3-944620-13-8, Price: €7.90

The map is available in bookstores, from Mosellandtouristik, and at the Tourist Information Roman Wine Road.

Mosellandtouristik GmbH

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

www.moselsteig.de

Tourist Information Roman Wine Road

Brückenstr. 46, 54338 Schweich; Phone: 06502/93380

www.roemische-weinstrasse.de