From the 12th to the 17th August I embarked together with my parents on a Eurohike hiking holiday for the first time - to be precise we went for the Moselsteig Trail in Germany. The decision was difficult due to such a large and varied choice of offers. To us in the end however the tri-border region appealed the most and so we started on our way. Read below about our experiences, the food we enjoyed and what we came across.
On the first day we immediately enjoyed the first rewarding view: in the border triangle you can glance over directly onto Luxemburg and France, what a view! After that it really never gets dull along the routes. Sometimes we walked for longer periods along a forest path, then along a dirt path into the next Day Finish. Every day we got to marvel at the vast areas of this region covered in vines – they truly are everywhere. We also could not resist picking a few of the delicious blackberries growing along the way, waiting for us and enticing use to pick from these bushes every few metres en route.
One of our personal highlights of this tour we enjoyed along the way from Palzem to Nittel on Day 3: We proceeded through a forest which actually felt like a primeval forest. It was stunning and something truly special! Furthermore it was really exciting for us that we were accompanied by Luxemburg situated directly on the other side of the river Mosel and got to enjoy fabulous views across. Should you fancy a day of rest any time along the Moselle and Eifel Trail, there is always the option of cutting individual stages of the tour short with a brief train ride.
The food in the tri-border region really left nothing to be desired. Everything was freshly prepared and we were able to taste the quality of the local produce. Also for me being vegetarian I had plenty of delicious dishes to choose from. Naturally we also had to sample a glass of the local wine ‘Eiblingwein’! We highly recommend you try the ‘Riesling-creamed soup’ or the ‘wine-custard’. These specialities can only be found along the river Mosel, prepared with the wine originating directly from this region. You also have to try the legendary, home-made ‘Sacristains’ served at the ‘Hotel zur Moselterrasse’ in Palzem! After breakfast you can seize the offer of a usually free-of charge packed lunch, so you have plenty of provisions with you should you get really hungry en route
En route you also encounter plenty of cultural sights, since this region is renowned for important archeological discoveries, particularly dating back to Roman times. For instance the column ‘Igeler Säule’ in Igel, as well as the city gate ‘Porta Nigra’ and the Imperial Thermal Springs in Trier. All these buildings and structures are part of the UNESCO World Heritage and invite you to daydream about Roman times and all the historic highlights these structures have already witnessed. To increase the culture-factor even more during your hiking holiday, there is always the option of enjoying a day of rest in any of the Day Finishes. Also your tired feet and legs will greatly appreciate a day of rest! We also recommend a visit to the Rhineland State Museum in Trier in case you wish to find out more about the history of Germany’s oldest city.
Accommodations along the Moselsteig-path consist of carefully selected, family-run businesses – hence perfectly tailoured to what we like. In the wine village Nittel we spent the night in a winery, which ties in with the right ambience for the holiday. In each accommodation we received a very warm welcome, just like everyone appreciates when on holiday. We also enjoyed a welcome drink here and there, since the upmost importance is attached to hospitality along the Moselsteig-path. I dare say that there is truly something in it for everyone – ranging from smaller, cosy places in wine villages to somewhat larger businesses in Trier, Germany’s oldes town. After each exhausting hiking day we could always rely on our luggage waiting for us at the next accommodation and without a care in the world we collapsed into our comfortable beds.
