Moselsteig Trail Stage 23: Kobern-Gondorf – Winningen

Directions

These stages start directly at the railway station building of Kobern-Gondorf. Along the Bahnhofstraße, you hike on the access route towards the town centre of the Kobern district. Behind the ferry station you reach the market place with the Tatzelwurm Fountain and many beautiful half-timbered houses. Passing the old half-timbered town hall and church, you will reach the Moselsteig Trail main path just below the cemetery. In addition, the same signage of the Dream Path Koberner Burgpfad (Castle Kobern Path) are on the same section. Slightly uphill, you continue into the Mühlental. The path now leaves the houses in the valley and takes you on a steep uphill section. At a serpentine, a detour to the ruins of the Niederburg is worth your while; the remains of the complex and the view of Kobern-Gondorf are impressive!

Accompanied by volcanic rock stations of the crossroads, the trail continues steeply uphill on rocky terrain. The view of the Moselle Valley and the Niederburg becomes more exciting with each altitude metre. Once you reach the small plateau with cross, you have managed the first descent, and can take rest on one a lounger with a magnificent view of Kobern-Gondorf. A paved path soon leads to the Oberburg and the Matthias chapel. Here, again beautiful view are on offer – now of the Maifeld and the Eifel. And don't forget to view the Matthias Chapel, with it's unique cultural and building history (check opening times)!

A path now takes you into the forest. Slightly downhill and along the slope you hike deeper into the side valley of the Hohensteinbach. Shortly behind the Guidoborn (a sour well), the Dream Path leaves the Moselsteig Trail, which changes the valley sides and continues downhill in the valley floor. Together with the Tatzelwurm Trail the hike runs steeply uphill. The path runs through a low oak forest. Along the way, quirky benches invite you to take a break and admire the view of the Moselle Valley. Immediately afterwards, a path branches off, which winds through the slope, before you steeply climb up to the viewing point at the Rosenberg. The view high above the Moselle Valley of Kobern-Gondorf is fantastic! A few more metres on the path, and you have reached the plateau.

You now first continue over the open field corridor at leisure and without major differences in altitude. You reach the edge of the forest which shortly thereafter forms the slope edge of the Moselle Valley. The Moselsteig Trail leads into the forest and down to the Belltal. First, the path runs very steep downhill, until you reach a forest path which runs along the slope with a moderate incline. Above an old wind-throwing area, your gaze falls on the imposing Winninger motorway bridge for the first time! The Moselsteig Trail now meets the Rhein-Burgen Trail and takes you downhill to the Belltal.