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Rhine and Moselle: Koblenz - Koblenz 8-day Self-Guided Bike & Barge Tour (ARK)
Discover varied nature, immerse yourself in history and experience two of Germany’s most famous wine-growing regions along the beautiful rivers Rhine and Moselle on this wonderful trip. Where the Celts settled and the Romans introduced viticulture, the Rhine and Moselle and the excellent cycle paths along their banks connect all the sights on this tour by bike and boat. The start and end point is the Roman city of Koblenz, where the Moselle flows into the Rhine at the “Deutsche Eck”.
The Middle Rhine Valley is one of the most beautiful and oldest cultural landscapes in Europe and is considered the epitome of Rhine romance. Due to the great diversity and beauty of the Middle Rhine, the river valley between Koblenz and Bingen and Rüdesheim has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. The narrow and rugged Rhine Valley has always inspired painters, poets, thinkers and musicians. Around 40 castles, palaces and fortresses tower high above both banks, picturesque villages and towns are strung along the river like pearls on a string, with vine-covered slopes in between. You will see the Loreley Rock, where, according to legend, the beautiful Loreley with her long blonde hair enchanted the Rhine boatmen with her song and drove them to their doom. Upstream are Bingen and Rüdesheim, and the beautiful old Roman city of Mainz is the southernmost city on this tour.
During this trip there is an expert and experienced tour leader on board. He or she will discuss the next day’s cycling routes on a daily basis and provide you with tips and information about the route. You will cycle the tours independently and at your own pace using a detailed cycling map, GPS directions via the free Ride With GPS app and printed route descriptions (available on board). The tour leader will also cycle the routes, so they will be riding nearby and can be reached by phone in case of emergencies, problems or questions. Very flat terrain, maximum 46km.
During the winter of 2017-2018 the boat was completely renovated. She has a modern and elegant atmosphere with on the upper deck a tastefully furbished lounge area with a bar, and a pleasant restaurant. The spacious sun deck is partly covered and the comfortable deck chairs invite to enjoy the passing scenery. Both the upper and the lower deck have nicely furnished cabins; all with 2 single low beds, en-suite facilities with shower and all necessary equipment and on the upper deck there are also 2 more single cabins with the same facilities.
If you would like to rent a Bike (91 EUR) or E-Bike (245 EUR), please contact [email protected] when booking
Slow Tours offer a range of Bike and Barge Tours Europe
Koblenz – St. Goar
Embarkation at 2:00 PM in Koblenz. At 3:00 PM the ship sails south along the Rhine past Boppard into the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley to St. Goar. The ruins of Rheinfels Castle are located above the small town. Opposite on the other side of the Rhine are the two castles Katz and Maus (Cat and Mouse) and a little further upstream the famous Loreley rock. First overnight stay on board in St. Goar.
St. Goar – Bacharach – Bingen – Rüdesheim (30 km)
Your first cycle tour along the beautiful Rhine cycle path starts in St. Goar. Today you will cycle through the narrowest, steepest and perhaps most impressive part of the Rhine Valley. Enjoy the view of the Loreley rock towering high above the river on the way to Oberwesel. Continue via Bacharach to Bingen. On a small island in the Rhine at the “Binger Loch” narrows, you will see the medieval Mäuseturm (Mouse tower). Together with Ehrenfels Castle opposite, this tower, which is around 25 meters high, used to serve as a watchtower and customs office for collecting Rhine tolls. In Bingen, you cross the river by ferry to the wine town of Rüdesheim, your destination for today.
Rüdesheim – Mainz (35 km or 43 km)
After you have perhaps had a look at Rüdesheim before the crowds of tourists start flowing into the town, your cycle tour to Mainz starts here. Today you can choose between a shorter, flatter tour or a longer tour with more elevation gain. The shorter tour takes you along the right bank of the Rhine to Mainz. The longer tour leads from Oestrich uphill with a gradient of up to 5% to the beautiful Romanesque and early Gothic Eberbach Monastery, a former Cistercian abbey, which is also famous for its wine-growing. In Mainz, you will cross the Rhine bridge directly into the old town, where the ship is moored. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening in the old town of Mainz with its numerous sights.
Mainz – Lehmen lock | Lehmen – Treis-Karden (30 km)
The ship departs early in the morning and sails downstream. Early risers can once again enjoy the wonderful landscapes of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley through which they have previously cycled. At Koblenz, the ship sails past the “Deutsche Eck” and turns into the Moselle valley to reach the lock of Lehmen. Your cycle tour along the Moselle starts here around lunchtime. In Moselkern you cycle a short section uphill through the Elzbach valley. You can also cover the last section on foot. Your destination is the beautiful 12th century hilltop castle of Eltz, one of the most famous of its kind in Germany. The last part of the cycle tour takes you via Moselkern and Müden to the wine-growing village of Treis-Karden.
Treis-Karden – Beilstein | Beilstein – Traben-Trarbach (49 km)
While you are enjoying breakfast, the ship sails via Cochem to Beilstein. Your cycle tour from Beilstein takes you through a beautiful and very winding section of the Moselle valley, the Cochemer Krampen. You cycle between vineyards and through small villages to the picturesque town of Traben-Trarbach. Traben lies on the relatively flat north bank of the river at the foot of the former Mont Royal fortress, while Trarbach is elongated on the steep south bank of the Moselle.
Cycle tour to Bernkastel-Kues and back (44 km) | Traben-Trarbach – Cochem (46/53 km)
In the morning, the ship stays in Traben-Trarbach. You can then either take a bike tour to Bernkastel-Kues and back or explore Traben-Trarbach on foot. The ship leaves Traben-Trarbach for Cochem at around 2:00 PM. If you don’t want to cycle (any more) in the afternoon, you can realx on board and sail to Cochem. From Traben-Trarbach, the cycle tour leads downstream to Cochem. The famous Reichsburg castle rises high above this well-known town.
Cochem – Winningen | Winningen – Koblenz (10 km or 40 km)
While you have breakfast, the ship sails from Cochem to Winningen, where it makes a short stop before continuing on to Koblenz around 11: 00AM for the last short leg. You can cover the last few kilometers to Koblenz on board or by bike. You will then spend and enjoy the afternoon in the historic old town of Koblenz. The Romans first built a fortified urban settlement at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine and called it Confluentes (“confluence”).
Koblenz
End of your journey. Disembarkation after breakfast, by 9.30 AM.
Tours marked with are special prices.
| Start | End | Max. No. Guests | Accommodation | Price p.p. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 06 2025 | Jul 13 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 2,099€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,399€ | |||||
| Jul 13 2025 | Jul 20 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 2,099€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,399€ | |||||
| Jul 20 2025 | Jul 27 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 2,099€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,399€ | |||||
| Jul 27 2025 | Aug 03 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 2,099€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,399€ | |||||
| Aug 03 2025 | Aug 10 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 2,099€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,399€ | |||||
| Aug 10 2025 | Aug 17 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 2,099€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,399€ | |||||
| Aug 17 2025 | Aug 24 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 2,099€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,399€ | |||||
| Aug 24 2025 | Aug 31 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 2,099€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,399€ | |||||
| Aug 31 2025 | Sep 07 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 2,099€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,399€ | |||||
| Sep 07 2025 | Sep 14 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 2,099€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,399€ | |||||
| Sep 14 2025 | Sep 21 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 2,099€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,399€ | |||||
| Sep 21 2025 | Sep 28 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 2,099€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,399€ | |||||
| Sep 28 2025 | Oct 05 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 1,949€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,299€ | |||||
| Oct 05 2025 | Oct 12 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 1,799€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,199€ | |||||
| Oct 12 2025 | Oct 19 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 1,575€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,049€ | |||||
| Oct 19 2025 | Oct 26 2025 | 92 | Single rooms | 1,349€ | ||
| Double rooms | 899€ |
If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe.
Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [email protected] for a competitive quote
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