Moselsteig Stage 20: Treis-Karden – Moselkern

You start this beautiful stage towards Moselkern just a few steps next to the Treis-Karden train station in St.-Castor-Straße. In the village, you will soon reach the St.-Castor Basilica, whose outline shapes the silhouette of Treis-Karden. After crossing Kernstraße and the Brohlbach, which flows into the Mosel here, you reach the edge of the village. The Moselsteig now leads steeply uphill together with the boxwood path. Old vineyard walls stand close to the path. During the ascent, take a look back now and then at Treis-Karden and St. Castor – it's worth it! In the narrow side valley, tall boxwood bushes come close to the path before it reaches the edge of the slope. From here, the view into the valley is even better! The path continues steeply uphill along a rocky ridge until you reach the hut at Kompeskopf.

Now follows a short flat section through the forest, but soon the Moselsteig leads downhill again. You reach the forest gorge of the Krailsbach, which becomes denser with boxwoods the further down you go. The path also becomes increasingly rocky and spectacular. But your safe way is ensured: on the descent over rocks and steps, you can hold on to ropes. You cross the Krailsbach and are back in the actual Mosel valley. Now the path goes steadily up and down, alternating between dense boxwood stands and open views into the valley. Finally, you reach a vineyard path that brings you closer to Müden without elevation changes. At a rest area above the village, a side path branches off. It takes you into the village and further into the Mosel valley towards Moselkern.

However, the Moselsteig takes a detour to Eltz Castle before it meets the river again in Moselkern. So you first climb the hill steeply again. The path first passes through low shrubs, then enters the deciduous forest. Stations of the cross accompany your ascent. At the edge of the slope, you also reach the forest edge, and the path now rises only slightly to the few houses of Müdenberg. You come to a chapel where the stations of the cross end. The Moselsteig leaves the street and leads on the next section over the open high plateau, offering views of the Hunsrück heights. At the forest edge begins the long descent into the Elz valley, which passes the Rotherhof forester's house. On the following forest path, you make pleasant progress at a moderate incline. Where the path narrows to a trail, a quiet rest area with a view of Eltz Castle lies a few meters away. Isn't this the ideal place for a delicious picnic? In a beautiful spot in the middle of the forest, within sight of the model castle that lies here quite dreamily in the green Elz valley?

The descent continues over a rocky ridge that falls steeply into the Elzbach valley on both sides. Having reached the bottom, you cross the Elzbach on an old stone bridge. From here, the Moselsteig runs on the same route as the Traumpfad Eltzer Burgpanorama. Along the brook, you go to the "Five Hundred Mark View," named because the most beautiful view of Eltz Castle used to be on the back of this banknote. Soon the stone bridge to the castle is reached, and if you want to enjoy medieval flair, you should definitely take the time for a visit.

Then it goes over the Moselkern stairs to a footbridge that takes you once again to the other side of the Elzbach. The path now runs sometimes higher, sometimes lower along the slope above the Elzbach. Shortly before Ringelstein Mill, the brook level is finally reached, and you can reach the mill on the driveway – a good spot for a last stop. The remaining path to the stage destination is pleasant. You cross the Elzbach once more, Traumpfad and Moselsteig bend off here. But the Moselsteig access path, leading to Moselkern, accompanies the brook further. You first hike on a path along the narrow valley floor, later along the access road to Ringelstein Mill through Moselkern. After the railway underpass, you reach the church. Just a little further, and you are at the destination of this stage: the Moselkern train station.

• sturdy footwear
• weather-appropriate, practical hiking clothing
• packed lunch

Starting point: Treis-Karden via B 49 or B 416

End point: Moselkern via B 416 between Treis-Karden and Koblenz

Treis-Karden: There is a parking lot near the train station.

Moselkern: Parking available at the train station, large parking lot at the intersection Kirchstraße/Moselstraße

You can reach the stage towns Treis-Karden (train station) and Moselkern (train station) by train (RB 81).

There are regular connections. Please note that during the school holidays in Rhineland-Palatinate / Saarland, on weekends, and on public holidays, service frequency may be reduced! Please check the current daily timetables on the website of the Rhine-Mosel Transport Association (VRM): www.vrminfo.de

"Moselsteig" - Official Moselsteig hiking guide by ideemedia, €14.95

Authors: Ulrike Poller, Wolfgang Todt, Publisher: ideemedia, 300 pages with almost 300 pictures, elevation profiles, QR codes, and GPS tracks, size 11.5 x 23 cm, ISBN: 978-3-942779-21-0, €14.95

"Official Moselsteig hiking maps" in pocket format:

The full route is divided into 3 maps:

Leisure Map Moselsteig – Map 1: Perl - Trier (Stages 1 - 4), ISBN: 978-3-89637-419-6

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

Leisure Map Moselsteig – Map 3: Zell (Mosel) - Koblenz (Stages 15 - 24), ISBN: 978-3-89637-421-9

Single map: €5.90

3-map set: €14.50 (ISBN: 978-3-89637422-6)

"Premium Set"

Premium set consisting of the official hiking guide including a 3-map set, Publisher: ideemedia, ISBN: 978-3-942779-24-1, €26.95

The hiking guides and maps are available in bookstores or on the website https://www.visitmosel.de/wandern/service-infos-tipps under the "Brochure Order" section.

Moselsteig Leisure Map – Map 3: Zell (Mosel) – Koblenz (Stages 15 – 24), ISBN: 978-3-89637-421-9

Mosellandtouristik GmbH

Kordelweg 1, 54470 Bernkastel-Kues; Phone: +49 (0)6531/97330

www.moselsteig.de

Tourist Information Ferienland Treis-Karden

St.-Castor-Straße 87, 56253 Treis-Karden, district Karden; Phone: +49 (0)2672/9157700

www.treis-karden.de

Tourist Information Maifeld

Münsterplatz 6, 56294 Münstermaifeld, Phone: +49 (0)2605/9615026

www.maifeldurlaub.de