Mosel Valley Region

The beautiful river Mosel (French spelling Moselle) is one of the longest of the Rhine's tributaries (545km/339mi). It owes its name to the Romans (Mosella, the "Little Meuse"). It rises at the Col de Bussang in the southern Vosges (France), and between Perl and the junction with the Sauer at Oberbillig forms the natural frontier between Germany and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The section of the river between Perl and Trier is known as the Upper Mosel (Obermosel), the section from Trier to Bullay as the Middle Mosel (Mittelmosel) and the section from Bullay to Koblenz as the Lower Mosel (Untermosel). Since 1964 the Mosel has been canalized, its gradient being regulated by ten dams (at Trier, Detzem, Wintrich, Zeltingen, Enkirch, St Aldegund, Fankel, Müden, Lehmen and Koblenz). The most beautiful stretch of the Mosel Valley is between Trier and the junction with the Rhine at Koblenz. After passing through the wide Trier basin, it makes its way in innumerable bends through the Rhenish Uplands between the Hunsrück and the Eifel to enter the Rhine valley at Koblenz. The ever-changing landscape, particularly between Bernkastel and Cochem, is marked by a succession of old castles on the slopes of the valley and in side valleys, and by a string of old-world little towns and villages. The winding course of the river and the narrowness of its valley have prevented the development of any large towns, but by the same token have preserved the peace and charm of the Mosel.

The Mosel Route mainly follows the specially signposted Moselweinstrasse. From Koblenz to Treis-Karden there are alternative routes, one on the left bank and the other on the right bank.