Moselsteig Trail Stage 21: Moselkern – Löf
- start: Moselkern: Railway station at the edge of the town
- destination: Löf: Niederbachstraße close to the church and the Moselle bridge
- medium
- 13,79 km
- 4 hours
- 625 m
- 270 m
- 75 m
- 80 / 100
- 40 / 100
Heady heights and deep down into the valley.
The first section of this leg between Moselkern and Löf demands a certain level of fitness: the trail first follows a steep path through the vineyards – to then reward hikers on the next section along the edge of the slope with magnificent vistas. The "Küppchen" viewpoint affords a splendid view of the Moselle and Baybach valleys and Bischofsstein Castle close by. The view is all the more impressive if there are also paragliders and hang-gliders soaring in the air above you. The route of the unspoilt Hatzenport Laysteig Traumpfad Trail now runs parallel to the Moselsteig – both paths descend into Hatzenport before climbing up again to the Rabenlay with its mountain hut and resting place. Shortly thereafter, the Moselsteig splits from the Traumpfad and heads downhill through dense box trees and along the Kehrbach Valley to reach its destination in Löf.
General information
Directions
From the railway station in Moselkern, you start this Moselsteig Trail stage, by first following the access route signage. Over the paved path next to the railway tracks, the hike continues to the overpass over the railway line and then into the development area. After the last houses, follow the flat path through the vineyards. A steep path now branches off, and climbs up the slope on a winding path through the forest. The path meets the K 33, where you need to hike a short distance uphill. At a chapel at the slope edge you will soon leave the road. You have now reached the Moselsteig Trail main path, which continues towards Löf.
The path follows the slope edge without great differences in height. The dense forest does not yet offer a view of the Moselle Valley. At the transmitting mast, you are in for a treat: A few meters away from the path, a viewing point was created, from which you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Moselle Valley from Burgen to Hatzenport! The hike continues to Lasserg, mostly along the slope edge. The small town is quickly walked through, and at the sports field, the last houses are already behind you. After a short stretch you reach a beautiful area with a hut, rest area and view of the Moselle Valley. Only a few more metres on the Trail, and you arrive at the slope edge at the Küppchen viewing point high above the Moselle. The view from here is spectacular. Below you can catch a glimpse of the Bischofstein Castle with its massive round castle tower. Burgen is located on the opposite side of the Moselle at the mouth of the Baybach Valley, deeply cut into the Hunsrück (see author's recommendation). The stunning view of the Hunsrück heights extends far here and of course also downstream of the Moselle, where Hatzenport, the next stop can already be seen. If the weather permits you can watch the paragliders taking off at the launch site.
The Moselsteig Trail continues along the slope edge to the edge of the forest. From here, the Dream Path Hatzenporter Laysteig takes you along the same route, you continue on a downward path through the lower forest. The route section ends at a rest area with a beautiful view of the Moselle Valley. A panoramic path follows, which leads you always with an unobstructed view of the Moselle Valley, at a moderate decline downhill through the former vineyards. The new development area of Hatzenport is quickly passed through. After crossing the L 113, you will find the short climbing trail Dolling – you can bypass this along the road. Both variants meet again at the railway underpass in the Schrumpftal in Hatzenport, very close to the railway stop.
From here, you immediately continue on the steep terrain above the village. A secured path with ropes leads you to the vineyards and the weather station located there. The path through the vineyards takes you past an old vineyard cottage to the upstream mountain hut. From here – but also already on the way here – a fascinating view of the Moselle Valley at Hatzenport opens up! Especially the Johanniskirche directly under the vineyards is a memorable sight. After a path section through the low forest, there are again lots of views, and Rabenlay is nearly reached. Here, a mountain hut, a resting area and a lounge with a dream view awaits you – an ideal location for a long picnic!
Now the Moselsteig Trail follows the Dream Path along a wooded path, before it turns off into the open field. Now the patch crosses the road, and after entering the forest there is a short downhill section. Continuing through the forest you reach, at a slight incline, the side valley of the Alsbach. Here you reach the Würzlay Trail, which accompanies the Moselsteig Trail until just before Löf. The next section runs through the forest again, briefly interrupted by a dense population of box trees, which you cross through on a path. Slightly downhill, you reach the Kehrbach Valley. From now on, the path continues only downhill along a stream. You hike under a dark green canopy of leaves past cross path stations to the outskirts of Löf. You now have the choice: Take the Nachtigallenweg to the access route to the railway station. Or hike directly into the village and end this beautiful stage near the Mosel bridge.
Equipment
- Sturdy hiking footwear
- Appropriate weatherproof hiking gear
- Picnic lunch
Getting there
Starting point: Moselkern via the B 416 between Treis-Karden and Koblenz
Destination: Löf via the B 416 between Treis-Karden and Koblenz
Parking
Moselkern: Parking at the railway station; large car park at the junction of Kirchstraße and Moselstraße
Löf: Parking along the B 416
Public transit
You can reach the stage towns Moselkern (train station) and Löf (train station) by train (RB 81).
There are regular connections. Please note that during the school vacations of Rhineland-Palatinate / Saarland, at weekends and on public holidays there may be restrictions on the frequency! Please refer to the timetable information on the website of the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Mosel (VRM): www.vrminfo.de
Literature
"Moselsteig" - Offzieller Moselsteig-Wanderführer von ideemedia, 14,95 €
Authors: Ulrike Poller, Wolfgang Todt, publisher: ideemedia, 300 pages with around 300 images, altitude profiles, QR codes and GPS Tracks (in German), Format 11,5 x 23 cm, ISBN: 978-3-942779-21-0, 14,95 €
"Official Moselsteig Trail 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 (Moselle) (Stages 5 -14), ISBN: 978-3-89637-420-2 Leisure Map Moselsteig - Map 3: Zell (Moselle) – Koblenz (Stages 15 -24) ISBN: 978-3-89637-421-9
Individual maps: €5.90
Set of 3 maps: € 14.50 (ISBN: 978-3-89637422-6)
"Premium-Set"
Premium set consisting of the official hiking guide including set of 3 hiking maps. Publisher: ideemedia, ISBN: 978-3-942779-24-1, 26,95 €
The hiking guides and the maps are available in bookstores or on the website https://www.visitmosel.de/wandern/service-infos-tipps under the heading “Ordering brochures”.
Maps
Leisure Map Moselsteig Trail – Map 3: Zell (Moselle) - Koblenz (Stages 15 - 24), ISBN: 978-3-89637-421-9
Additional Information
Mosellandtouristik GmbH
Kordelweg 1, 54470 Bernkastel-Kues; Phone: +49 (0)6531 / 97330
Tourist information office Treis-Karden
St. Castor-Straße 87, 56253 Treis-Karden, OT Karden; Phone: +49 (0)2672 / 9157700
Tourist information office Sonnige Untermosel
Moselstraße 7, 56332 Alken; Phone: +49 (0)2605 / 8472736
Weather
This tour is presented by: Mosel. Faszination Urlaub, Author: Mosellandtouristik GmbH