jamie

Hi folks. I am visiting a friend this May to Mainz. One of the things I would love to do is explore the Mosel River Valley by bike. Through my research on this site and elsewhere, I am aware that there is much to see and many different places to explore. If anyone has done bike riding along the Mosel, what routes were nice? How many days did you spend riding along it? Can you bring your bikes on and off the ferrys? Thanks

Mark

Route? Follow the river downstream (don´t go in the opposite direction). The marked bicycle path (Mosel-Radweg) is 248 km (150 miles) from Perl (German/French/Lux borders) to Koblenz. Four to five days. More if you are a wine buff. You can take your bike on some local trains and ships. I have been there twice, but I traveled by train and bus, and I walked a lot.

Russ

I've ridden a short piece of the path between Bullay and Punderich. Fantastic scenery. Suggest hiking up to the Marienburg for an amazing view; there's a ferry near Punderich, or you can cross the bridge or ferry over from Bullay to Alf for this hike; there's a great cafe with terrace up top there.

Go to this page for a view:
www.mosel-reisefuehrer.de
In the photo, Punderich is on the right bank of the river, the Marienburg is the castle-looking edifice on the peak on the left bank. The river makes a huge horseshoe curve here and swings around the thin peninsula you're looking at to the other side of the Marienburg.

Bikes are available at the "Nicolay" shop in Alf or possibly at the train station in Bullay. I think most ferries charge a few extra cents for a bike, but bikes are commonplace and welcome there.

CharlieB

Jamie- I envy you! I agree that you should start your trip near the Luxembourg border and head downstream towards Koblenz. I would like to suggest to you an excellent travel guide: "Touring in the Wine Country - The Mosel and Rheingau" by Stuart Pigott. It is probably the best guide I have ever read. It served us exceedingly well when we spent 2 weeks in Wintrich, a very small town in the Mosel Valley. It points out a few sights worth seeing, the absolutely best accomodations, the best wineries, and the top notch restaurants. If you have a chance dine at the Luisenberg in Muhlheim-it is absolutely superb.
Most every weekend in May most wineries will be open for samplings of their produce and light lunch. We particularly liked the baked Camembert with currant sauce. Also toward the end of May is "Happy Mosel Day" during which a significant portion of the main highway from Luxembourg toward Koblenz is closed to all auto traffic and available only to bikers and rollerbladers. all along the route there are roadside stands selling wurst and the local wine. Great fun! This is really bike friendly country and you will have the time of your life! Please post when you return as I can't wait to return.

CharlieB

Sorry Jamie but it seems very few Fodorites are into biking. I hope by topping you will get some more advice.

Sarah Smith

An article on cycling along the Mosel:
http://www.travellady.com/Issue53/mosel.htm

Hope it gives you some inspiration. Sounds fun - have a great trip. Mainz is a lovely city too, so leave time for sightseeing there.

dmtraynor53

Can anyone recommend a bike rental shop near Koblenz near the bike path?