Cycling fun for the whole family
Have a look at our tips for your family cycling trip
With its well-developed network of cycle paths, the Mosel region offers the ideal conditions for leisurely cycle tours with the whole family. Along the Mosel and its tributaries, you’ll find varied cycle routes offering plenty of nature, little discoveries along the way and numerous opportunities for short breaks.
Whether it’s short stretches, flexible starting points or a variety of route options – the extensive network of cycle paths allows you to plan your own bike rides and can be flexibly adapted to suit different needs.
A small picnic or a quick rest on one of the many benches, or a spontaneous stop by the water – there are plenty of opportunities along the way to get off your bike and catch your breath. In many towns, ice-cream parlours, cafés, wine bars and restaurants also invite you to enjoy a delightful break before setting off again, refreshed.
Listen up!
The audio tours along the Mosel and Saar Cycle Paths
40 listening points along the Mosel Cycle Path and 16 listening points along the Saar Cycle Path offer surprising discoveries along the way. Stop whenever you hear a “bling” and take a moment to listen. The audio tours “Listening Points along the Mosel Cycle Path” and “Listening Points along the Saar Cycle Path” are great fun for the whole family.
Our themed cycle routes: a family guide
The Mosel Cycle Path
The Mosel Cycle Path, which runs close to the riverbank on flat terrain, offers a varied and exciting cycling adventure for young and old alike: always following the water’s edge, surrounded by steep vineyards and imposing castles. It’s like travelling back in time: Roman antiquity comes to life, inviting you to follow in the footsteps of the Romans as you go. A break from cycling at a playground, or during a leisurely boat trip on the Moselle, ensures plenty of fun and variety. For cyclists who’ve worked up an appetite and a thirst, there’s a wealth of excellent places to stop for a bite to eat and a drink right along the route.
The Mosel Cycle Path follows its own dedicated route and you can join it anywhere, meaning you can put together tours of any length. With no major inclines, it is easily manageable even for young cyclists. As some sections of the cycle path are laid out as cycle lanes alongside the road, children riding their own bikes should be confident on the road.
Our tip: Stages 1 from Perl to Nittel and 4 from Mehring to Piesport are particularly child-friendly, with low traffic volumes.
The Saar Cycle Path
Have you heard of the Saar Cycle Path? This 4-star quality cycle route is completely flat and runs all the way along the banks of the Saar. Not only for this reason, but above all for this reason, it is ideal for a cycle trip with children. The Saar Cycle Path starts in Konz, where the Saar flows into the Moselle, and continues all the way to Saargemünd in France.
Our tip: Make sure to include the picturesque little town of Saarburg, with its waterfall and castle, as a stop on your cycle tour.
The railway line trails
Where steam trains once puffed along, you can now enjoy a spot of cycling. The cycle routes along the disused railway lines are simply perfect for cycling trips with children.
The Maare-Mosel Cycle Route combines the volcanic landscape of the Eifel with the Mediterranean charm of the Moselle region. Far from the hustle and bustle of traffic, you can effortlessly cross valleys via viaducts and bridges and pass through the mountains via four tunnels. Numerous rest areas and family-friendly accommodation providers invite you to take a break from cycling.
You can also enjoy a leisurely downhill ride on the Ruwer-Hochwald Cycle Route. On a path that’s tarmac-surfaced throughout, your bike will practically roll of its own accord from Hermeskeil down into the valley, following the course of the Ruwer.
General note
Some cycle paths run alongside roads in places. On these sections, children should already be able to cycle safely in traffic. When choosing a route, therefore, please take into account the children’s age and cycling ability. You can find further information on the route and the level of difficulty in the respective route descriptions.
Tips for family-friendly cycle rides
More inspiration for your cycling holiday
FAQ on cycling with children along the Mosel
Tips & Answers for Your Family Biking Vacation
Whether along the Moselle, the Saar, or on former railroad rights-of-way—families will find a variety of bike tours along the Moselle for all ages.
The Mosel Cycle Path runs mostly along its own dedicated route, and there are many entry points, allowing you to flexibly plan your itinerary. Thanks to the largely flat terrain, it’s also well-suited for young cyclists. Since some sections of the trail are designated as bike lanes running alongside roads, children riding their own bikes should be comfortable riding on the road. Particularly family-friendly sections away from road traffic include Stage 1 from Perl to Nittel and Stage 4 from Mehring to Piesport.
The Saar Cycle Path runs entirely on dedicated bike paths, always along the water, and offers ideal conditions for relaxing family outings. Exciting audio tours, idyllic towns with historic sights, and plenty of lovely places to rest provide variety for young and old alike along the way. In addition, many attractions along the route invite you to combine your bike tour with other experiences.
The former railroad rights-of-way along the Maare-Mosel Bike Trail and the Ruwer-Hochwald Bike Trail also offer varied cycling fun. On consistently paved paths, tunnels, viaducts, and bridges provide exciting discoveries along the way and turn every ride into a little adventure.
A special highlight are the audio tours along the Mosel and Saar Cycle Paths: With exciting stories and fascinating background information, they bring the Mosel region to life in an entertaining way. Those who want to combine their bike tour with other family activities will find plenty of options in the region—from impressive castles with a varied program of events to outdoor adventures like toboggan runs or climbing parks. Combining a bike ride with a boat tour is also a special experience—it allows you to discover the landscape from two different perspectives.
Yes—along the family-friendly bike paths, there are plenty of opportunities to break up the ride with rest stops or little adventures. In addition to numerous rest areas and picnic spots by the water or in nature, playgrounds and wading pools invite you to take a break. Cafés and ice cream shops along the route are also great for a relaxing break with the whole family. You’ll also find a selection of family-friendly restaurants where you can stop for a meal together.
Many family tours can be customized to suit your family’s specific needs. Thanks to good connections to buses, trains, and boats, individual sections of the route can be flexibly combined or shortened. During the season, special bike buses also make tour planning easier, as they help cover longer distances or provide a convenient way to return to the starting point. This makes it easy to adjust the length of the bike tour to the children’s ages and fitness levels, leaving plenty of time for breaks, play, and shared discoveries along the way.
Whether it’s a vacation rental, a winery, a campground, or a large vacation resort—the Mosel-Saar region offers plenty of options for a relaxing family vacation. Unique lodging options, such as staying in a castle or a wine barrel, also make your stay truly special. On our subpage, you’ll find more lodging tips and suitable accommodations for your family vacation.
