Moselkern lies on the left bank of the Moselle, between vineyards and forests, opposite the Druidenstein at the mouth of the Elzbach. From here, a path follows the Elzbach to Eltz Castle; circular trails offer different focal points, with views of the Moselle, Elz Valley and vineyards. The village also has buildings and a stone monument from various centuries. When planning your stay, you can focus on nature trails and local history.
Paths, circular trails and viewpoints
The 4.5-kilometre hiking trail follows the Elzbach from Moselkern to Eltz Castle. It offers a route with a fixed destination. The circular trails offer a choice of different lengths and views: the Elztalblick circular trail is around 5.3 kilometres long and offers views of the Elz Valley. The Heideküppchen circular trail covers about 5.8 kilometres and offers views across the Moselle and into the Elz Valley. At around 4.8 kilometres, the Übereltzer circular trail is the shortest of the three trails mentioned; from here, you can see the Moselle and the surrounding vineyards.
The landscape links the Moselle and the Elz Valley with forests, rocks, meadows and historic paths. Riverside walks and viewpoints such as Heideküppchen, Buchhell and Druidenstein also offer different perspectives on the Moselle Valley, the Elz Valley and Moselkern. In addition to the named circular trails, there are other local landscapes to discover, and not all the paths offer the same views.
Architectural history and monuments in the village
The Church of St. Valerius reveals different periods of construction: its Romanesque west tower dates from the 12th century, while the present nave was rebuilt as a hall church in 1789 and 1790. The church is also listed in the register of cultural monuments for Cochem-Zell. The Merovingian Cross is a stone monument dating from around 700 and is considered the oldest monumental depiction of the crucified Christ north of the Alps. Copies stand in front of the parish church and in the cemetery.
The Historic Town Hall in Moselkern is an example of Moselle-Franconian half-timbered architecture. Its walls are up to one metre thick. Tours and culinary wine tastings in the historic building are available on request; advance arrangements are required. This means you can also plan a culinary connection to Moselkern as part of a visit, by prior arrangement.
Getting there and other options
Moselkern is connected to local public transport by rail. Personenschifffahrt Gebr. Kolb operates sightseeing cruises on the Moselle from Moselkern to Koblenz and Cochem. Departure days and operating dates vary by season, so check the schedule before travelling.
Cycling is another option: Moselkern is considered a starting point for tours along the Moselle and through the uplands of the Eifel and Hunsrück. Options include the long-distance Moselle Cycle Route, cycling routes towards the Maifeld, e-bike tours and bus services that accommodate bicycles. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider cycling as well as walking routes.
The wider area: Cochem-Zell
The Cochem holiday region stretches from Bremm on the Calmont to Moselkern at the foot of Eltz Castle. The wider Cochem-Zell destination also offers cultural and historical attractions such as the medieval Imperial Castle of Cochem: in the 19th century, Louis Ravené had it restored and rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style as part of the Romantic revival of castles. Rooms open to visitors include the Knights’ Hall, dining room, hunting room and ladies’ chamber.
Discover more destinations: Brieden, Roes, Mörsdorf, Lütz, Müden, Forst, Lieg, Lahr.
Back to the main travel overview: Treis-Karden.
