Moselsteig Stage 20: Treis-Karden - Moselkern

This route follows stage 20 of the Moselsteig, connecting Treis-Karden with the wine village of Moselkern on an absolutely spectacular section rich in history and scenery. The hike starts with a cultural highlight at the so-called Moseldom (St. Castor Stiftskirche) before leading up steep trails through rare, wild boxwood groves. Alongside challenging ridge walks and sweeping views into the Wilde Schlucht (Wild Gorge) of the Krailsbach, the undisputed highlight of this tour is the world-famous Eltz Castle (Burg Eltz). Hidden away in the Elz Valley, this fairy-tale 12th-century fortress has never been violently captured in its long history and invites hikers to explore its original living quarters, armory, and treasure chambers before the trail follows the Elz River down to its conclusion in Moselkern. Overnight stays are available in the hotels and guesthouses of Treis-Karden as well as within the cozy wineries in Moselkern; wild camping is prohibited. Refreshments can be found in both towns and directly at the castle tavern inside Burg Eltz. Transport is excellently facilitated by the train stations in Treis-Karden and Moselkern on the Moselle line (RE 1 / RB 81), offering regular connections toward Koblenz and Trier; schedules and transit information can be found at https://www.vrt-info.de.