View of Zeltingen-Rachtig from the variety garden

Start: Vineyard trail Zeltingen-Rachtig Circular route Easy 1 hrs 52 min 6.5 km

Vineyard trail Zeltingen-Rachtig

A beautiful circular hike through the vineyards above the twin municipality of Zeltingen-Rachtig.

Insights into the hike:

The hike leads under the Hochmosel bridge into the vineyards. Especially in the summer months, when the grapevines are blooming, it is particularly beautiful to hike amidst the vineyards – great views of the Mosel valley are guaranteed all year round. The "varietal garden" is also on the route. Here, on a former steep vineyard slope, native shrubs and useful trees were planted alongside Mediterranean and exotic species to test whether the plants establish themselves and adapt to the climatic conditions. Among others, walnut, chestnut, hazel, peach, mirabelle, greengage, quince, medlar, mulberry, pomegranate, service tree, sea buckthorn, kiwi, akebia, goji berry were planted...

Hiker-friendly refreshment opportunities are available in the village.

Brief description

A scenic route through the "Himmelreich", the "Schlossberg", and the "Sonnenuhr" – the well-known vineyards of Zeltingen-Rachtig.

Approach

Coming from Bernkastel, follow the B53 towards Koblenz through Graach to Zeltingen-Rachtig.

Public transport

www.vrt-info.de, www.bahn.de

Bernkastel-Kues: Taxi Edringer: 06531 - 8149, Taxi Priwitzer: 06531 - 96970, Taxi Reitz: 06531 - 6455

Nearest/primary stop: Zeltingen-Rachtig Mini Golf Course

Parking

There are free parking spaces available in Gestadestraße near the hotels and residential area. Please note that during the high season, parking spaces are mostly occupied by hotel guests.

Directions

Between the two districts of the twin municipality, at the end of Brückenstraße, lies the fire station of Zeltingen-Rachtig. It serves as the orientation and starting point for your hike through the vineyards, which you will explore clockwise. To the right of the station, a small path leads you up the slope. At the sensory bench, turn right to the intersection, then follow the marking of the vineyard trail clockwise. Initially, you will enter the "Himmelreich" (Heaven). Along the way, the "Rittertafel" (Knight's Table) invites you to rest and reminds you of the Teutonic Order, which was active here in the Middle Ages. Another vineyard is named after the Teutonic Knights, the "Deutschherrenberg". However, it is located in the vineyards across the village and extends from Machern Monastery towards the bridge of the Hochmoselüberquerung. You will also pass this bridge twice on your further foot journey and admire it from below. It is approximately 160 meters high and spans the Mosel valley over a length of 1.7 kilometers. You then continue moderately uphill amid the vineyards. You can refresh yourself at the St. Stephanus fountain and then turn right. Shortly after, you pass the "Schlossberg" vineyard with new vine plantings. Then you slowly descend through the varietal garden. In the varietal garden, almost 50 varieties of fruit and berries from around the world have been planted on a 4000 m² steep slope: stone fruits such as walnuts, chestnuts, and hazelnuts on the lower slope, berry-bearing trees above, and Mediterranean species like figs and strawberry trees, as well as exotic shrubs and climbing plants such as kiwi, kaki, and aronia on other sections. Right next to the "varietal garden" extends another well-known vineyard, the "Zeltinger Sonnenuhr". However, you will walk back above the village to our starting point.

Safety instructions

No special safety instructions.

Equipment

Sturdy footwear

Tips

Above the varietal garden, there is still a Jewish cemetery. However, only a few gravestones are visible today.

Additional information

Bernkastel-Kues Holiday Region
Gestade 6
54470 Bernkastel-Kues
Tel. 06531/50019-0
www.bernkastel.de

info@bernkastel.de

Tourist Information Zeltingen-Rachtig
Uferallee 10
54492 Zeltingen-Rachtig
Tel: 06532/2404

Destination

Fire station, Im Mittelweg 1, 54492 Zeltingen-Rachtig