Trip up/down the Moselle

Kontikiboy

Hi all,

We have been wanting to do this trip for some time but always seem to drive past it on the way to further afield.     However, under present CV circumstances, when we can do this is up in the air.  I did think that after the lockdown is properly lifted I would prefer a shorter, rather than longer, trip and this fits the bill for me.   The main reason for this discussion is to seek advice from those of you who have already done all or part of the Moselle.      I haven’t decided wether to go South to North or North to South, but time of year may decide that.     I will allow about six weeks plus travel time to/from the river.    I have the choice of going in our 8m MH or by car with a decent size tent (we do camp often so have all the kit).   This is the most important query in this discussion.    I thought the MH might be too restrictive close to the river so that’s where the tent option came in.    We also have e-bikes.    I have researched the river and camp sites on-route from the source at Bussang in the Vosges to where the Moselle meets the Rhine at Koblenz and there is a good selection of campings.     I have the books/subs/apps for ACSI, Camperstop, Camping-Car Park and Park4night, plus the CAMC books.    We are thinking of stops of 4/5 nights each with maybe a couple of longer ones in the best spots on the river.

I would like to tap into the vast experience many members have of this area and would welcome any advice or recommendations you have.    I will look forward to see how this goes, time not being a problem for the next few months.

BillC

chasncath

We used to visit the Koblenz/ Cochem end of the Mosel when we lived in Germany. Autumn is a good time to visit for the Winefests and the 'Rhine in Flames' at Koblenz. Campsites are busy during the 'fests',  including Travellers. Google should be able to come up with some dates.

Oneputt

We’ve stay at Zell am Mosel a couple of times.  There’s both a campsite and a stellplatz.  Bridge across the river to the town, a 10 minute stroll.  Lovely area with plenty to do including boat trips direct from Zell.  

Tammygirl

We have done the Koblenz to Trier part of the Mosel a few times, we also lived in Germany for many years, first time it was with a small 2 man tent not long after we got married.

Since then we have done it with both MH and car/caravan. Lots of sites all along that section and loads of Stellplatz to. 

Very easy to cycle all along the Mosel on very good cycle paths. As chasandcath have already mentioned the autumn time (late Sept into Oct I think) is the wine fest. You could go from the Mosel to Munich and catch the 'October beer fest' there  hic hic 

What ever you choose to do its a great area to be in.

Dave Nicholson

We’ve cycled most of the Mosel from our motorhome, staying at various locations in both campsites and Stellplatz. It’s a very popular area with a local bus service that will take bikes on a trailer thereby extending the cycling range from any location. Our favourite base is Trittenheim where there are both campsites and Stellplatz. Given that the weather can be variable I’d take the motorhome rather than a tent but when the weathers good, tent camping takes some beating.

Kontikiboy

Hi all, thanks for all that, lots of good info and I would prefer Sep/Oct time when the wine tests are on.    Our bikes have a 70 mile range so the MH and bikes sounds good.    Like you say Dave, if it rains, camping won’t be much fun.    The trouble is with the weather, in the past 7 years or so, since the Jet Stream dropped from its old more permanent position, we can’t trust the weather anymore when planning.      Anyway, with the way the CV is going it could be next year before we get to do the Moselle.     Thanks for your replies, stay safe, stay well.

BillC

Lutz

Nearly all the wine festivals along the Moselle are scheduled before the end of September, so I wouldn't leave the trip too late if you want to be there for a wine festival.

Don't forget that the Moselle valley, as beautiful as it is, is relatively narrow and there are roads along both banks most of the while plus a railway line that follows the course of the river too, so remember to take ear plugs!

Kontikiboy

Hi Lutz, thanks for that.     We usually leave home just after the August BH for Sep/Oct hols so should be ok.    It would be a nice thought if we could go this year at that time, but It’s looking more unlikely now.

BillC

harryb

Good advice about noise. The riverside site we were on was very noisy with barges and the busy railway on the other bank seemed to echo across the river.