THE MOSELLE CYCLE ROUTE
FROM THE SOURCE TO THE RHINE AT KOBLENZ
by Mike Wells
2 POLICE SQUARE MILNTHORPE CUMBRIA LA7 7PY
About the Author
Mike Wells has been a keen cyclist for over 20 years. Starting with UK Sustrans routes, like Lon Las Cymru in Wales and the C2C route across northern England, he soon moved on to long-distance routes in continental Europe and beyond. These include cycling both the Camino and Ruta de la Plata to Santiago de la Compostela, a traverse of Cuba from end to end, a circumnavigation of Iceland and a trip across Lapland to the North Cape.
This is Mike’s second cycling guide for Cicerone, following his guide to cycling the Rhine from source to sea. Indeed, it was while preparing the Rhine cycle guide that he became aware of the well-developed cycling infrastructure along the nearby Moselle. The two books could be used together to create an attractive circular route starting in Basel, Mulhouse or Koblenz then cycling down one river and back up the other.
Other Cicerone guides by the author
The Adlerweg
The Rhine Cycle Route
© Mike Wells 2014
First edition 2014
ISBN: 978 1 85284 721 0
Printed in China on behalf of Latitude Press Ltd
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
All photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated.
To my grandchildren Atlanta and Alexander, who have just been given their first bicycles, in the hope that they may have many adventurous cycle rides when they grow older.
Advice to Readers
While every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. If we know of any, there will be an Updates tab on this book’s page on the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk), so please check before planning your trip. We also advise that you check information about such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, 2 Police Square, Milnthorpe LA7 7PY, United Kingdom.
Front cover: Cycling through vineyards between Trittenheim and Neumagen (Stage 11)
CONTENTS
What to take
Safety and emergencies
About this guide
Stage 1 Col de Bussang to Remiremont
Stage 2 Remiremont to Épinal
Stage 3 Épinal to Charmes
Stage 4 Charmes to Nancy
Stage 4A Charmes to Toul
Stage 5A Toul to Pont-à-Mousson
Stage 5 Nancy to Pont-à-Mousson
Stage 6 Pont-à-Mousson to Metz
Stage 7 Metz to Thionville
Stage 8 Thionville to Remich
Stage 9 Remich to Trier
Stage 9A Remich to Trier via Luxembourg City
Excursion 1 Konz to Merzig: the Saar Valley
Stage 10 Trier to Leiwen
Stage 11 Leiwen to Bernkastel-Kues
Stage 12 Bernkastel-Kues to Zell
Stage 13 Zell to Cochem
Stage 14 Cochem to Koblenz
Excursion 2 Koblenz to St Goar: the Rhine Gorge
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Language glossary
Appendix C Useful contacts
Appendix D Principal tourist offices
Appendix E Youth hostels
The vineyards of the Calmont slope rise behind Bremm (Stage 13)
INTRODUCTION
The cycle route follows the Canal des Vosges through Lorraine (Stage 3)
To many people the greatest thing about the Moselle is not the water that flows in the river: rather it is the wine that is produced along its banks. And what great wine it is. The Riesling grape grows