Moselsteig Stage 18: Beilstein – Cochem

The starting point of your hiking day is the square at the Beilstein ferry terminal. You quickly turn your back on the hustle and bustle here. After just a few steps along the road, the Moselsteig leads steeply uphill alongside a water channel and next to the vineyards. You reach a path that soon becomes a trail and winds quite challenging through the steep slope. Although ropes provide good support here in places, suitable footwear and sure-footedness are absolutely necessary. Enjoy the views quietly from the viewpoints along the way. And always look back now and then; especially the view of Beilstein is worth seeing! In a small side valley, a sheltered rest area offers a chance for an early break. A little later, after you have passed through the lower forest, you should make a stop at the Plaatskopf viewpoint: The view from here of Beilstein, Ellenz-Poltersdorf and the Mosel dam of Bruttig-Fankel is very rewarding!

You reach the district of Fankel through the vineyards. The Moselsteig leads through Brunnenstraße and over historic cobblestones along the many listed half-timbered houses. Besides the residential houses, you should also see the playground and town hall, the tithe house and the fire station. The Moselsteig leads via Rathausstraße to the Fankel Moselle lock. After a short stretch on the bike path, you can turn onto a trail away from the road. Here information boards explain the lock system and its importance for Moselle shipping.

The route continues along the Moselle riverbank. On the following section, you have direct contact with the river. You can easily imagine how the current towpath was formerly used as a hauling path. At the campsite in Bruttig (place to refresh), the Moselsteig leaves the riverbank for a short stretch. Then your path leads over the large Mosel meadow, where you can comfortably look at the river and the vineyards on the opposite bank from many resting opportunities. After crossing the road, the Moselsteig reaches a special attraction in Bruttig. The place is crossed by a dam. Under, beside, and on this dam — a railway line planned for war purposes that never went into operation — your route continues towards Cochem. At the road crossing, the access path to Ernst on the other side of the Moselle branches off. You hike a short stretch on the former railway embankment, now planted with vines. Then begins the steep ascent in the primeval Kabainer Bachtal. Accompanied by the stream, over several wooden bridges and past extensive boxwood stands, the trail climbs up. Even after leaving the stream, the Moselsteig stays in the forest and continues to rise. Just behind the highest point, a detour to the Iron Mast (with covered rest area) beckons. From here, you have a wonderful view: up the Moselle you overlook the already covered part of the stage to Beilstein, downriver you see the outskirts of Cochem. Varied through forest and meadow, you then reach the "Schöne Aussicht" ("Beautiful View") at Valwigerberg located on the edge of the slope. This viewpoint truly deserves its name, and the following trail along the ridge offers wide views over the Moselle valley! Shortly before Valwigerberg, the Apollo path joins the Moselsteig. At the sports field near the outskirts, a mighty old oak greets you, then you soon stand before the pilgrimage church in the village.

Along the district road, you leave the village again and enter a low oak forest on a path. Not long after, you reach a way with several viewpoints over the Moselle valley, each inviting you to take a break on benches. The path now leads downhill to a small shelter, where a short serpentine trail through the forest begins. This brings the Moselsteig onto the vineyard path somewhat lower down: This wonderfully glides through the slope, gently downhill, always with an unobstructed view of the Moselle valley. The cosy descent ends at the Hahnenberg viewpoint and the Apollo hut Valwig. The next section is more challenging; you should only hike it with sure-footedness and suitable footwear! On a narrow trail and over steep vineyard stairs, you walk under the almost vertical rock face of Brauselay. Directly through the vineyards, it continues steeply downhill until you have mastered this demanding section at a resting place. The path through the vineyards then rises slightly again, and gradually the impressive Reichsburg Cochem comes into view. Finally, you reach a resting place with a pretty view of Cochem’s old town and the riverside promenade. Here the Moselsteig changes to a path that leads down by steps to Cochem-Cond. Now it goes along Valwiger Straße to the Moselle bridge ("Skagerak Bridge"). On the other riverbank, you reach the end of this stage at Carlfritz-Nicolay-Platz. A few meters from here is the bus station, and via Ravenestraße you reach the train station.

• sturdy footwear
• weather-appropriate, functional hiking clothing
• packed lunch

Those who plan this stage as a day route should make the outbound or return journey by ship.

Starting point: Beilstein via L 98 between Senheim and Cochem

Destination point: Cochem via B 49

Beilstein: The few parking spaces near the ferry terminal are often occupied. A large parking lot is located a little upstream on the L 98.

Cochem: Most parking spaces in Cochem require a fee. There is a large parking lot behind the train station.

You can reach the stage destinations Beilstein (ferry stop) and Cochem (train station) by bus line 716.

The connections are irregular. Please note that there may be service restrictions during school holidays in Rhineland-Palatinate / Saarland, on weekends, and on public holidays! Please check the current daily schedules on the website of the Rhein-Mosel Transport Association (VRM): www.vrminfo.de

"Moselsteig" - Official Moselsteig hiking guide by ideemedia, €14.95

Authors: Ulrike Poller, Wolfgang Todt, Publisher: ideemedia, 300 pages with almost 300 images, elevation profiles, QR codes and GPS tracks, format 11.5 x 23 cm, ISBN: 978-3-942779-21-0, €14.95

"Official Moselsteig hiking maps" in pocket format:

The entire route is divided into 3 maps:

Leisure map Moselsteig - Map 1: Perl - Trier (Stages 1 - 4), ISBN: 978-3-89637-419-6

Leisure map Moselsteig - Map 2: Trier - Zell (Mosel) (Stages 5 -14), ISBN: 978-3-89637-420-2

Leisure map Moselsteig - Map 3: Zell (Mosel) - Koblenz (Stages 15 - 24), ISBN: 978-3-89637-421-9

Single map: €5.90

Maps as a set of 3: €14.50 (ISBN: 978-3-89637422-6)

"Premium Set"

Premium set consisting of official hiking guide including set of 3 hiking maps, Publisher: ideemedia, ISBN: 978-3-942779-24-1, €26.95

The hiking guides and maps are available in bookstores or on the website https://www.visitmosel.de/wandern/service-infos-tipps under the category "Brochure order".

Moselsteig leisure map - Map 3: Zell (Mosel) - Koblenz (Stages 15 - 24), ISBN: 978-3-89637-421-9

Mosellandtouristik GmbH

Kordelweg 1, 54470 Bernkastel-Kues; Phone: +49 (0)6531/97330

www.moselsteig.de

Tourist Information Ferienland Cochem

Endertplatz 1, 56812 Cochem; Phone: +49 (0)2671/60040

www.ferienland-cochem.de