© Dominik Ketz, Mosellandtouristik GmbH

Cycle tour around Trier - Tour 1: On the Ruwer-Hochwald Cycle Path

  • start: Railway station in Hermeskeil
  • destination: Trier
  • easy
  • 53,90 km
  • 4 hours
  • 177 m
  • 524 m
  • 125 m
  • 60 / 100
  • 20 / 100

Where bicycles roll today, trains used to steam. The historic railroad line of the Ruwer-Hochwald-Bahn is transformed into the Ruwer-Hochwald Cycle Path. Like the former railroad line, the bike path connects the heights of the Hunsrück with the Moselle valley.

The route follows the Ruwer, a tributary of the Moselle, on a paved path that is only used by cyclists, inline skaters and hikers. The route takes you over more than twenty bridges and through a varied cultural landscape: Grimburg Castle, the monastery courtyards in Kasel, churches worth seeing with impressive altars, a spring moor, the reservoir near Kell or the Sommerau waterfall are the highlights - either directly along the route or accessible with a worthwhile detour. 

General information

Directions

Section: Hermeskeil - Kell am See

The bike path begins at the former train station on the grounds of the old railroad depot, which also houses the private steam locomotive museum. The trail first takes you to Reinsfeld, where the "Theresienwiese" invites you to take a short break and look at an old locomotive directly on the bike path. Through a forest and meadow landscape you pass the old station building from 1889 to the climatic health resort Kell am See.

Section Kell am See - Zerf

From Kell am See the cycle path leads through the meadow landscape of the nature reserve "Keller Mulde" and past Mandern, where you meet the river Ruwer for the first time. At the former Zerf train station, you will reach the midpoint of the bike route before turning 90 degrees at Hentern valley and track - formerly known by train drivers as the "hub of Hentern".

Zerf - Pluwigerhammer section

On this section of the route, the cycle path overcomes the greatest difference in altitude. Also, the Ruwer shows its most natural side here with kingfishers and wagtails. You pass Heidermühle Castle and Hinzenburger Mill. In Pluwigerhammer there is a former iron smelter and a hammer mill with grinding and saw mill.

Section Pluwigerhammer - Trier-Ruwer

Passing the site of the well-known ROMIKA shoe factory, which ceased production here in 1993, you will soon catch sight of the Sommerau castle ruins, built in the 13th century on a rocky spur, from the cycle path. The path continues to Waldrach, the largest municipality in the Ruwer valley. The replica of a Roman water conduit here bears witness to the building skills of ancient engineers, who were able to supply the Roman city of Trier with water with this structure. Then you pass a 39 m long bridge made of Siberian larch. The steel girders of the former railroad bridge were replaced by wood, the bridge builders used the famous Chapel Bridge in Lucerne from the 14th century as a model. The last section of the route is characterized by the forested Ruwerauen and viticulture. Numerous famous wineries accompany you on the way towards the mouth of the Ruwer. Your bike tour on the Ruwer-Hochwald cycle path ends at the train station in Trier-Ruwer. To get back to Trier, follow the signs for the Moselle Cycle Path.

Equipment

Du solltest an genügend Getränke sowie an fahrradtaugliche Kleidung denken. 

Tip

Die Burg Grimburg, die Stiftshöfe in Kasel, sehenswerte Kirchen mit imposanten Altären, ein Quellmoor, der Stausee bei Kell oder der Wasserfall Sommerau sind die Highlights - entweder direkt an der Strecke oder mit einem lohnenden Abstecher erreichbar.

Getting there

In the morning you take the RegioRadler Ruwer-Hochwald (line RR200) from the main station in Trier to Hermeskeil. 

Parking

Du kannst gegen Gebühr im Parkhaus Alleencenter neben dem Hauptbahnhof in Trier parken.

Public transit

Viele Wege führen an die Mosel. Ob mit Bahn oder Auto/Wohnmobil, die Mosel ist immer eine Reise wert. Die folgenden Informationen können dir nützlich bei deiner Reiseplanung sein. 

Additional Information

Weather

This tour is presented by: Mosel. Faszination Urlaub, Author: Mosellandtouristik GmbH

Next steps
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