Moselsteig Side Trail Cochemer Ritterrunde

The Cochemer Ritterunde starts at the valley station of the "Pinnerkreuz" chairlift. Together with the Moselsteig Trail, which this Side Trail follows up to the mountain station, you hike over the parking area of the chairlift to the footbridge which takes you across Endert stream. On the other side of the stream, the route follows a stony path with many serpentines that take you steeply uphill. Over steps, the path quickly gains height and soon you can view the roofs of the Moselle city Cochem.

The path winds further up the mountain. A detour to the Pinnerkreuz viewing point should not be missed. The view of Cochem and the Reichsburg (Castle) is great! From here, it's only a few spectacular meters to the mountain station of the chairlift with the adjacent restaurant on the Pinnerberg (note opening hours).

Behind the terrace café the Moselsteig Trail and Side Trail separate. The ascent has been managed, and the Cochemer Ritterrunde now winds on a beautiful fairytale path through the steep slope towards Wakelei. In this part of the forest, there used to be a fairytale forest. After crossing a side valley, the Side Trail reaches the rocky spur of the Wakelei.

This is a wonderful area for a rest: From the lounger you have an exceptional view of the next stop, the Winneburg ruins. It is on about the same height as the Wakelei. Unfortunately, the valley of the Endertbach is still in between, but the path to the valley is exceptionally beautiful. The path winds along the slope. First only moderately downhill, but the closer you get to the Endertbach, the steeper the path becomes. You cross the road in the valley at the Hotel Winneburg. The next climb on the other side of the valley takes you over a forest path. The incline is even, but stretches over almost 2 kilometres. Good that the forest gives off enough shade. If you want to visit the Winneburg ruins, you need to take a short detour at the top. It's always worth it! You feel as if you were back in the Middle Ages. A wooden bridge takes you into the inside of the castle complex. The shale walls are enormous. The secluded location in the forest contributes to a special atmosphere.

Back on the main path, you hike around a side valley, then the Moselsteig Side Trail branches off to a path which takes you steeply downhill. A few meters further, you get another look at the Winneburg. The path ends at the Winzerhaus (Wohnhaus). In the wooded Kerb Valley, which you have reached at the Winzerhaus, the track now only leads uphill. The incline is even for about the next kilometre. The track remains in the valley and close to the stream. After a good 100 metres ascent, a serpentine takes you towards the Moselle Valley. The path is still rising. Not as steeply, but still noticeable. Finally, you have reached the Wilhelmshöhe. Here, unexpected views of the Moselle await you. Also, you can reach the chairlift valley station from here via a Side Trail access route. The access route also allows for dividing the Moselsteig Side Trail into two almost equally long circular tours.

After a stopover to take a breather, the incline is not quite over. However, the incline is now a little more moderate. At the Antoniuskopf the forest path finally leaves the forest, and opens up a view of the fields and the Eifel plateau.

At the highest point of the Side Trail, the path crosses the county road which leads to Cochem. Then, after a small wooded area, the path at the edge of the forest allows for a wonderful view towards Hunsrück. Continue a short downhill stretch through the field. The Märtscheltbach which flows to the Moselle is not crossed. The Cochemer Ritterrunde now leads, mostly close to the slope edge, towards the Moselle Valley. This is a very varied and exciting path. Sometimes with a clear view, then accompanied by hedges or in a denser forest, the path finally reaches the viewing point Hubertushöhe. The rest area with hut and spectacular view of the castle and the Moselle will ensure longer breaks on your hike.

The rest of the Side Trail continues downhill. After a steep descent, the path finally reaches the Märtscheltbach, which can be comfortably crossed on a footbridge. Further downhill the path now approaches the Reichsburg (castle), the landmark of Cochem (note opening times). Unexpectedly, the castle appears between the trees. To visit, you need to take a short detour. The Cochemer Ritterrunde leads along a vineyard in front of the castle. A fantastic view of the castle!

The footpath into the town takes you past the Pestkapelle St. Rochus. From here, you have another wonderful view of the Moselle and the rock spur, the Brauselay, on the other side of the Moselle. Via steps the Cochemer Ritterrunde now reaches the narrow alleys of the old town. Crossing the market square lined by half-timbered houses and passing the church, you reach the Moselle bridge and the Enderstraße. Together with the Moselsteig Trail you can stroll to the starting point at the chairlift valley station or reach the railway station via the Moselsteig Trail - access route.

• Sturdy hiking footwear
• Appropriate weatherproof hiking gear
• Picnic lunch

In high temperatures, the ascent to the Pinnerkreuz should be done as early as possible in the mornings or using the chairlift, as the sun shines on the slope very early in the morning and the dark shale rocks heat up the path even more.

The best picnic areas are at the Wakelei, at the Winneburg ruins and the Hubertushöhe.

Starting point: Cochem via the B 49 and the Enderstraße; destination: Cochem via the B 49 and the Enderstraße

There is a parking garage in the immediate vicinity of the chairlift in the Enderstraße. There is also a city parking area behind the railway station in Cochem. Most of the parking spaces are subject to charge or time-limited.

From the railway station Cochem a sign-posted Moselsteig Trail - access route takes you to the Moselle bridge. From here, you can follow the Moselsteig Trail for about 0.3 km to the chairlift valley station. Cochem is the railway station of the Moselle railway track.

Literature (only available in German):

"Seitensprünge Band 2" - 17 Premium-Rundwanderungen von Bernkastel-Kues bis Koblenz von ideemedia

Authors: Ulrike Poller, Wolfgang Todt, Publisher: ideemedia, 160 pages, Format: 11,0 x 16,4 cm, ISBN: 978-3-942779-60-9, 12,95 €

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

Mosellandtouristik GmbH

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

www.moselsteig.de

Tourist information office Cochem

Endertplatz 1, 56812 Cochem; Phone: +49 (2671) / 60040

www.ferienland-cochem.de