Holidays with your dog
Tips for relaxing days with your four-legged friends
The Mosel is one of Germany’s most beautiful holiday regions – and is also the perfect destination for a holiday with your dog(s). Nestled amongst steep vineyards, charming wine-growing villages and idyllic walking trails, you can enjoy the great outdoors together with your four-legged friend. Numerous accommodation providers, restaurants and leisure activities are perfectly geared towards holidays with dogs.
To ensure that all guests – whether they have a dog or not – can enjoy a relaxing stay, there are a few important rules to follow:
- Dogs must be kept on a lead within built-up areas. Outside these areas, your dog should also be kept on a lead as soon as other people or animals are in sight.
- Please clear up after your dog. Free bags and bin bins are available in many places – otherwise you may face a fine.
- A collar or harness with your contact details helps to identify your dog quickly in an emergency.
- Make sure you have plenty of water with you and be considerate of nature and wildlife.
Dog-friendly hotels, guesthouses and campsites
The Mosel region offers plenty of accommodation options and campsites where dogs are expressly allowed. A morning walk along the banks of the Moselle is simply the perfect way to start the day here.
Many hosts even provide extras such as bowls, blankets or little welcome gifts for your four-legged friends.
Hiking with your dog
The Mosel region is a paradise for ramblers. Particularly popular: the Moselsteig! A long-distance walking trail around 365 kilometres long, offering spectacular views of the river, vineyards and castles.
The range of options is complemented by numerous side trails like the Moselsteig Seitensprünge, Traumpfade and themed routes. These are usually shorter, often designed as circular walks, and are therefore ideal for walks with your dog. In summer in particular, the shaded woodland paths here offer a pleasant respite from the heat for both people and pets.
Whether it’s short walks, long hikes, challenging routes with significant elevation gain or leisurely trails – there’s a wide choice. Just as with people, every dog has its own specific needs, depending on its size and fitness level, so there’s a suitable tour or the perfect walking route for every dog.
Cycling with your dog
A leisurely cycle along the river
The Mosel Cycle Path is one of the most beautiful cycle routes in Germany – and is perfect for cycling trips with your dog. Just like the Saar Cycle Path and the Ruwer-Hochwald Cycle Path…
Why?
- flat route with no major inclines
- well-maintained paths
- plenty of places to stop for refreshments
If your dog can’t walk long distances, there are practical solutions such as bike trailers for dogs or special baskets for smaller four-legged friends. This means you can enjoy even longer stretches together in a relaxed way.
Discover the Mosel on two wheels: varied cycle routes follow the course of the river, taking you through picturesque wine-growing villages, past steep vineyard slopes and through the idyllic countryside at the Mosel region.
The Mosel Cycle Path is one of the most popular river cycle routes in Germany and follows the course of the Moselle for 248 kilometres from the ‘Dreiländereck’ (tri-border area) in Perl to its confluence with the Rhine in Koblenz. This 4-star ADFC-certified cycle route takes you past countless vineyards and world-famous wine-growing areas, imposing rock formations, medieval wine-growing villages, ancient sites and impressive castles. No other German wine-growing region offers such striking natural contrasts between breathtaking steep slopes and a picturesque river valley, whilst also boasting a wealth of historical cultural monuments.
The family-friendly Ruwer-Hochwald Cycle Path is, alongside the Maare-Mosel and Schinderhannes Cycle Routes, one of the most striking former railway line cycle routes in Rhineland-Palatinate. It connects the Hunsrück Heights at the foot of the Hochwald through the winding and tranquil Ruwer Valley to the Mosel near Trier. The adventure playground in Reinsfeld and the numerous bridges make the cycle route ideal for children too.
In the far west of Rhineland-Palatinate, cycling enthusiasts will find the Saar Cycle Path, a charming cycle route set amidst stunning scenery featuring vast forests, bizarre rocky landscapes and sun-drenched vineyards.
This 4-star ADFC-certified cycle route has a total length of 115 km and runs through Rhineland-Palatinate for the final 30 km, where it follows the River Saar to its confluence with the Moselle.
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Travelling stress-free by bus and train with your dog
Even without a car, you can get about easily along the Moselle. Dogs are allowed on all public buses and trains, and at a reduced fare. This makes spontaneous trips particularly easy. You can explore different places at your leisure and head back whenever you like.
Out and about the Mosel with your dog
A trip on a sightseeing boat is a truly special experience – and best of all, on many boats, dogs can even come along for free. This means you can relax together and enjoy the passing vineyard scenery from the water.
Important:
- Dogs must be kept on a lead on board
- Depending on the operator, a muzzle may be required
Make sure your dog is comfortable: a blanket to lie on, a few treats and some water will help make the trip enjoyable. Whilst you enjoy the views of vineyards, castles and riverside scenery, your four-legged friend can relax peacefully by your side – ideal for a relaxing day out.
The Mosel – a paradise for people and dogs
The Mosel region has everything you need for a brilliant holiday with your dog:
- nature and outdoor activities
- dog-friendly hosts
- a wide range of activities
Our final tip: don’t pack your holiday too full. The best moments often happen quite spontaneously – watching the sunset by the water or taking a short break amongst the vineyards.
Enjoy the time with your four-legged friend – the Mosel is perfect for it.
