Moselle and Saar
Roman Trier, steep vineyards around Bernkastel, Burg Eltz and the Saar loop.
- Distance
- 162 km (101 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 14 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 6
- Countries
- Germany
- Updated
- June 29, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 162 km (101 mi) with 6 stops, from Saarschleife viewpoint to Koblenz. About 2 h 14 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Germany · More road trips from Luxembourg
Route description
The route starts at the Saarschleife viewpoint near Mettlach, where a tree-top walkway rises above a hairpin bend of the river Saar. From here it is a short drive to Trier, Germany’s oldest city, with the Roman Porta Nigra gate, the imperial baths and the basilica of Constantine.
The B53 follows the Moselle downstream through steep vineyards to Bernkastel-Kues, a wine town with a half-timbered market square below the ruins of Landshut castle. The steep slate slopes around the town produce some of the Moselle’s best-known Rieslings.
Further downstream, the Reichsburg Cochem stands on a vineyard hill above a bend in the Moselle, and the riverside town has motorhome parking. From the Moselle a short drive leads to Burg Eltz, a castle owned by the same family for more than 850 years, hidden in a forest valley; from the car park it is a walk or a shuttle bus ride.
The route ends at Koblenz, where the Moselle flows into the Rhine at the Deutsches Eck and a cable car crosses the river to the Ehrenbreitstein fortress. The Moselle is lined with motorhome parking areas, and September and October are busy with wine festivals.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Saarschleife viewpoint
ViewsMettlach, GermanyA tree-top walkway above a hairpin bend of the river Saar.
- 235 km
Trier
Germany - 345 km
Bernkastel-Kues
Germany - 433 km
Reichsburg Cochem
HistoryCochem, GermanyA castle on a vineyard hill above a bend in the Moselle. The riverside town has motorhome parking.
- 517 km
Burg Eltz
HistoryWierschem, GermanyA castle owned by the same family for more than 850 years, hidden in a forest valley near the Moselle.
- 631 km
Koblenz
Germany
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Saarschleife viewpoint → Trier · 35 km · 0 h 29 minOvernight nearby, for example: Campingplatz Treviris (1 km); Reisemobilpark Treviris (1 km).
- Day 2: Trier → Reichsburg Cochem · 79 km · 1 h 05 minOn the way: Bernkastel-Kues.Overnight nearby, for example: Family Camping (6 km); Zum Feuerberg (6 km).
- Day 3: Reichsburg Cochem → Koblenz · 48 km · 0 h 40 minOn the way: Burg Eltz.Overnight nearby, for example: KNAUS Campingpark Koblenz (2 km); Campingplatz Gülser Moselbogen (4 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Germany: No motorway tolls for cars. No general motorway speed limit (130 km/h advised) and no tolls for cars.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Moselle and Saar?
3-day road trip of about 162 km (101 mi) with 6 stops, from Saarschleife viewpoint to Koblenz. About 2 h 14 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Moselle and Saar?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 14 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Moselle and Saar start and end?
It starts in Saarschleife viewpoint and ends in Koblenz.
Which countries does Moselle and Saar pass through?
Germany.
Where can you camp along Moselle and Saar?
OpenStreetMap lists 216 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Leukbachtal, Reisemobilpark Saarburg and Landal Warsberg.
When is the best time for Moselle and Saar?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
