Lizard Loves Riesling - Theme Trail
- start: Graacher Gate, Bernkastel
- destination: Graacher Gate, Bernkastel
- medium
- 3,60 km
- 2 hours
- 125 m
- 246 m
- 120 m
- 60 / 100
- 40 / 100
The wall lizard loves the Riesling vineyards. It finds an ideal habitat in the slate rocks of the Mosel. Therefore, it gladly serves as the guide animal for the wine experience trail!
Directly above the historic town center of Bernkastel rises one of the famous and once most expensive vineyards in the world: the Bernkasteler Doctor. It is part of the Bernkasteler Badstube, which extends over 68 ha as the smallest large vineyard area on the Mosel, exclusively in the Bernkastel district. Riesling vines are primarily cultivated on the weathered clay slate soil.
Some of the Riesling wines produced here are considered by wine critics to be among the best white wines in the world. A good reason to take a closer look at these legendary wines.
In this spirit, the initiative "Living Mosel Vineyards" with the support of the city of Bernkastel-Kues created the wine experience trail "Lizard Loves Riesling," which runs for 3.7 km through the Bernkasteler Badstube. At 11 stations, there is much to discover about the diverse interactions between flora and fauna as well as between humans and nature. Engaging and entertaining stories about winemaking in Bernkastel are also told.
General information
Directions
The Bernkastel Wine Experience Trail "Lizard Loves Riesling" starts at the Graacher Gate, the only remaining gate of the former city fortification. The "Band of History" with important key data on the city and wine-growing history accompanies you on the first ascent to the small St. Joseph's Chapel. To the left past the chapel, the educational trail leads you to the first experience station. If you like, you can also take a first break here. A flat path follows, running parallel to the slope. Then you ascend along a small stream to the higher-lying service road (stations 2 and 3), turn right at the fountain and crossroads to station 4, which informs about different types of vine training. Now the path continues uphill in switchbacks. You pass 2 more stations (5 and 6) of the educational trail and leave the until now comfortably paved path at an arch that spans the vineyard path as a climbing aid. Then follows an excursion over stones and rocks into a vineyard that was not affected by land consolidation and provides information on biodiversity in this habitat (station 7). After this difficult passage, you continue on service roads along the habitat aids (station 8) to the viewing platform (station 9), where the peak of the educational trail is reached. At the latest here, camera or mobile phone come into use. On the descent, the path leads you past the "Bernkastel Doctor" (station 10), the most expensive vineyard in the world.
Safety Guidelines
No special safety instructions.
Equipment
Hiking boots and packed food are recommended.
Tip
The viewing platform on the path offers impressive views!
Getting there
Parking
Paid parking is available on the Mosel riverbank in Bernkastel and Kues. At the Tourist Information (MGZ, Gestade 6), 3-day parking tickets are available for 12 euros and weekly parking passes for 18 euros.
Public transit
Bernkastel-Kues: Taxi Edringer: 06531 - 8149, Taxi Priwitzer: 06531 - 96970, Taxi Reitz: 06531 - 6455
Nearest/primary stop: Bernkastel Tourist Information; Bernkastel Deinhard's
Literature
WanderGuide - the hiking guide in the Bernkastel-Kues holiday region. With description and map.
Maps
WanderGuide - the hiking guide in the Bernkastel-Kues holiday region. With description and map.
Additional Information
Bernkastel-Kues Holiday Region
Gestade 6
54470 Bernkastel-Kues
Tel. 06531/50019-0
Pavings
- Asphalt Coating (9%)
- Crushed Rock (68%)
- Unknown (23%)
Weather
This tour is presented by: Ferienland Bernkastel-Kues, Author: Lisa Gerber