Moselsteig Trail Stage 18: Beilstein – Cochem

The starting point of your hiking day is the place at the ferry bier of Beilstein. You quickly leave the hustle and bustle behind you. Just a few steps along the road, the Moselsteig Trail continues steeply uphill at a water gully and along the vineyards. You reach a trail than quickly turns into a path and which is winds challengingly through the steep slope. Although ropes provide good grip, nevertheless suitable footwear and sure-footedness are absolutely necessary. Enjoy the view from the viewing points on the path in peace and quiet. And don't forget to look back every now and then, the view of Beilstein is particularly beautiful! In a small side valley a covered rest area offers the opportunity for an early break. A little later, once you have crossed the lower forest, you should make a stop at the Plaatskopf viewing point: The view here of Beilstein, Ellenz-Polterdorf and the Moselle barrage of Bruttig-Fankel is extremely worthwhile!

Through the flat vineyards of Bruttig-Fankel the Moselsteig Trail reaches the district of Bruttig. Under, along and on the dam – a railway line planned for war purposes, but never operated – you continue towards Cochem. At the road crossing the access route branches off to Ernst on the other side of the Moselle. Here, you continue of a short distance on the vine-planted former railway embankment. The steep ascent into the unspoilt Kubaner Backtal starts now. Accompanied by the stream, over several wooden walkways and large boxwood pastures, the path ascends. Also once the stream is left behind, the Moselsteig Trail and forest continue at an incline. A short distance behind the highest point, a detour to the Iron mast (with covered rest area) invites you. From here you have a wonderful view: Upstream of the Moselle you have a view of the already covered part of the leg up to Beilstein, downstream, you see the outskirts of Cochem. Hiking through forest and meadows, you then reach the "Schöne Aussicht" (Beautiful View) on the slope edge at Valwigerberg. This viewing point bears its name rightly, and the connection path along the slope edge also allows for wide ranging views of the Moselle Valley! Shortly before Valwigerberg, the Apolloweg joins the Moselsteig Trail. At the sports field near the outskirts of the town, an old mighty oak awaits you, you have now reached the village's pilgrimage church.

Along the county road, you leave the town and follow a path into the low oak forest. Not much further, you reach a path with several viewing points overlooking the Moselle Valley, with benches allowing you to take a short rest. Downhill, the path now leads to a small mountain hut, where a short winding path through the forest begins. This takes the Moselsteig Trail to a slightly lower vineyard path: This path beautifully runs through the slope, slightly downhill, always with an unobstructed view of the Moselle Valley. The leisurely descent ends at the viewing point Hahnenberg and the Apollohütte Valwig. The next section is more demanding, you should only tackle this with good slip resistance and suitable footwear! On a narrow path and over steep vineyard steps you hike under the almost vertically sloping rock wall of Brauselay. Through the vineyards, you continue downhill, until you reach the resting place and have completed this demanding section. The path through the vineyards now once again takes a slight incline and the impressive Cochem imperial castle gradually comes into view. Finally, you arrive at a rest area with a pretty view of the Cochem old town and waterfront. Here, the Moselsteig Trail changes to a path which leads downhill to Cochem-Cond over steps. Now you continue along the Valwiger Straße to the Moselle Bridge ("Skagerakbrücke"). On the other side of the river, you reach the Carlfritz-Nicolay-Platz, and the end of this stage. A few meters from here is the bus station and via the Ravenestraße you reach the train station.