Castles of the Rhine and Moselle
Vineyard slopes, the Loreley and a castle hidden in the woods.
- Distance
- 214 km (133 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 57 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Germany
- Updated
- August 23, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 214 km (133 mi) with 8 stops, from Koblenz to Trier. About 2 h 57 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Germany · More road trips from Rüdesheim am Rhein
Route description
From Koblenz, where the Moselle meets the Rhine at the Deutsches Eck, the B9 follows the left bank of the Rhine south through the castle-lined Middle Rhine valley. To reach the Loreley, a slate rock above the narrowest bend of the river, cross on the car ferry at Sankt Goar; there are no bridges between Koblenz and Mainz.
On the right bank, the road continues to Rüdesheim am Rhein, a wine town with a cable car up through the vineyards to the Niederwald monument. Then head back north and turn west up the Moselle valley.
Burg Eltz, a castle owned by the same family for more than 850 years, is hidden in a forest valley near the Moselle; park at the car park above it and walk down through the woods. Nearby Cochem is crowned by the Reichsburg on a vineyard hill above a bend in the river.
Cochem has a municipal motorhome stopover by the river, and there is also a vineyard campsite nearby. The last leg follows the Moselle’s loops upstream to Trier, Germany’s oldest city, with the Roman Porta Nigra gate. Rhine ferries carry motorhomes, but the riverside towns are small, so use the signed parking areas.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Koblenz
Germany - 233 km
Loreley
ViewsSankt Goarshausen, GermanyA slate rock above the narrowest bend of the Rhine, with a viewpoint over the castle-lined valley.
- 328 km
Rüdesheim am Rhein
Germany - 461 km
Burg Eltz
HistoryWierschem, GermanyA castle owned by the same family for more than 850 years, hidden in a forest valley near the Moselle.
- 517 km
Reichsburg Cochem
HistoryCochem, GermanyA castle on a vineyard hill above a bend in the Moselle. The riverside town has motorhome parking.
- 61 km
Cochem
Cochem, Germany - 71 km
Vineyard campsite, Cochem
CampingCochem, GermanyCampsite near Cochem in Germany, set in wooded terrain – a base for time spent in nature.
- 873 km
Trier
Germany
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Koblenz → Rüdesheim am Rhein · 61 km · 0 h 51 minOn the way: Loreley.Overnight nearby, for example: Campingplatz Hindenburgbrücke (2 km); Wohnmobilpark Bingen (2 km).
- Day 2: Rüdesheim am Rhein → Vineyard campsite, Cochem · 80 km · 1 h 06 minOn the way: Burg Eltz, Reichsburg Cochem, Cochem.Overnight at the campsite itself.
- Day 3: Vineyard campsite, Cochem → Trier · 73 km · 1 h 01 minOvernight nearby, for example: Campingplatz Treviris (1 km); Reisemobilpark Treviris (1 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in 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 Castles of the Rhine and Moselle?
3-day road trip of about 214 km (133 mi) with 8 stops, from Koblenz to Trier. About 2 h 57 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Castles of the Rhine and Moselle?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 57 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Castles of the Rhine and Moselle start and end?
It starts in Koblenz and ends in Trier.
Which countries does Castles of the Rhine and Moselle pass through?
Germany.
Where can you camp along Castles of the Rhine and Moselle?
OpenStreetMap lists 223 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: KNAUS Campingpark Koblenz, Campingplatz Gülser Moselbogen and Ferieninsel Winningen an der Mosel.
When is the best time for Castles of the Rhine and Moselle?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
