Will be heading out there late June with 3 kids under 7. We are renting a car. How do we get closest to the path to the castle? Is there parking closer than an hour walk away? Where do we take the mini bus/shuttle and how long to walk from the bus drop off? I am concerned about the feasibility of this venture with my 5 yo twins and my 7 year old! No strollers on this trip!!

It's been seven years since our trip, so hopefully someone can confirm these directions to still be true. From my trip report:

"We finally met our first Americans at breakfast. They had tried to drive to Burg Eltz the previous day, but had gotten lost. I am not a big Rick Steves' advocate, but sometimes he does give good advice, and he did not fail us on this morning.

The Americans we had met left ten minutes before us. I had read in Steves' book not to follow the signs to Burg Eltz, because those were longer hikes. Instead we ignored the Eltz signs in Moselkern and followed the signs to Munstermaifeld as he had suggested. We kept the faith because it seemed like we were headed in the wrong direction.

However, in about seven kilometers we came to a T in the road. Signs to Burg Eltz were seen again. We made a left and went though Wierscheim and from that town's exit sign it was only 2km to the Burg Eltz Upper parking facility. It was an easy 10 -15 minute walk down to the castle from there (More on our hotel friends later)."

Also click on link below for same info (Go to Day 2), but with pictures from that area. Loved the Mosel area and Burg Eltz.

http://web.me.com/tomfielding1/Tom_%...sace_2003.html

We were there last summer. We also, followed the Rick Steve's route. We walked down and rode the mini-van up the VERY steep hill for a euro each...well worth the money! Especially with kids. We waited about 20 minutes for an English tour. Very nice.
I also recommend visiting Rotherburg o der tauber with the kids. They have a terrific "Night Watchmen" tour, that was a highlight of our trip.
Have Fun!
Tina

So happy you both were looking at Fodors today!! Invaluable information! Thank you so much! And yes, Tinabina! We will take the Night Watchman tour! We are staying in Rothenburg for 2 nights! Can't wait! How do we sign up?

Tina, did you by any chance go to the Playmobil park with your kids? it is right outside of Nurenburg and we were considering it.

Hi,

Nightwatchmans Tour... no tickets or need to "sign up". Just be in the market square at 8pm.

www.nightwatchman.de

www.nightwatchman.de/index.php?cat=182&cl2=182

We stayed along the Mosel (in Valwig across from Cochem) in Oct. '07. Follow "maitaitom's" driving directions to Burg Eltz. The signs can be misleading. Follow signs to Munstermaifeld before any Burg Eltz signs you come across.

The walk is pretty steep, downhill to the castle and uphill back to the parking lot. We walked down but took the van back up. Cost was 1.50 Euro pp each way. There's hardly any walking at all using the van.

We also have some pic's at:

www.worldisround.com/home/pja1/index.html

Paul

The walk down is easy- the walk back up is very good exercise.

Unfortunately we didn't know about Rick Steve's directions to Burg Eltz several years ago.

Temperature and humidity were both above 90 as we trudged up and down hills and through rather scraggly stands of trees--I think it took us about 17 hours to get to the castle (at least it seemed that long). We arrived at the castle sodden with sweat, exhausted, demoralized, thirsty. Drinks did help revive us somewhat, but I remember nothing of the tour of the castle or what we did the rest of that day. Normally I research such things well, but I had a real let down on Burg Eltz.

We drove to the castle following the road signs. Parked in a lot and walked down to it. All the while thinking, "no wonder it's so well perserved."

Maita
Sorry we didn't go to the Playmobil.We were sans kids.
Like above poster mentioned...meet in the market square, clock tower, at the stroke of 8pm. Such good fun. NO sign up. 5 euro each at the end of the tour...believe it or not the "Night watchmen" simply passes his hat. It's so trusting and 1940's of him. Loved it! We were surprised by the turnout of people...about 80 people joined and just followed him through the town.

PS: There is an inexpensive little sandwich shop just down the cobbled street from the market square, adjacent from the fountain. It is a good place to grab dinner and then sit in the square until the tour begins. (If you have your back to the clocktower, walk straight down the street, keep left, just before the fountian on the left.) Kid friendly fare.
Have fun.
Tina