Find a Slow Tour
Tap to search
Saarburg to Koblenz 8-day Bike & Barge Tour (OL)
As far as cycle touring destinations in Europe go there are few better than the Moselle and Saar River Valleys in Germany. It is a “stunning” region highlighted by an enchanting countryside, fairy tale castles, award-winning vineyards on impossibly steep slopes and historic medieval towns and villages. The Rhine’s peaceful little sisters, the Moselle and Saar Rivers, as they meander from picturesque village to village offer unsurpassed views of castles high on the hills, stone-clad fortresses, picture-perfect wineries and much, much more. On a day to day basis as you cycle through this magical region, you will visit culturally rich cities. Soak up the sights of untouched nature, meet local winegrowers and bottlers and importantly get the opportunity to relive the rich history of the region.
It is without a doubt a cycle tour not to be missed!
The history of the region, along the banks of the Moselle and Saar Rivers, dates back to the Roman Era, some 2,000 or so years ago. For guests on a bike and barge tour, there is much to see beautiful timbered houses from medieval times, magnificent vineyards and the Porta Nigra a large Roman city gate in Trier, Germany. You'll also visit a headland in Koblenz known as the “German Corner” where you'll find a statue of William l, a German emperor who was responsible for unifying Germany. The surrounding region sits at the junction of the Moselle and Rhine Rivers in Koblenz and Saarburg and is widely referred to as “Little Venice”. These are just a few of the highlights of this unforgettable trip!
The Moselle, with a length of 544 km, is the Rhine’s longest tributary and is also the second most important shipping route in Germany, while the Saar, with a length of 246 km, is the Moselle’s longest tributary.
Most of the stretches are paved or asphalted without any gradients of note. This makes the trip suitable even for unpractised cyclist.
Comfortable and cosy river ship with family environment. The ship was refurbished in 2015/2016. The panoramic salon with bar in gentlemen club-style and the bright and friendly restaurant are waiting for you topass relaxing hours here. A spacious, partly shaded sun deck and storage space for bicycles. 49 outside cabins, comfortable and cosy with en-suite bathroom, hair dryer, tel-ephone, TV, individual air condition-ing/heating, fridge and safe. Main deck 21x 2-bed-cabins (approx. 11m2), panoramic window (not opening win-dows). Upper deck 22x 2-bed-cabins (approx. 11m2) + four 2-bed-cabins of bigger size at the stern of the ship (= 2-bed-cabins astern: perceptive engine and generator noise when ship is in motion and in locks, approx. 12m2, three of them feature twin beds) as well as two single cabins (approx. 9m2). Panoramic windows to be opened
If you would like to rent a bike (89 EUR) or e-bike (199 EUR), please contact our office when booking: [email protected]
Slow Tours offers other Bike & Barge tours in Europe
Embarkation: Saarburg
Board in Saarburg where the crew will welcome you from 4pm. You will spend your first night in Saarburg a welcoming city that you are encouraged to explore.
Saarburg – Saarschleife – Igele Säule – Wasserbillig (Lux) – Trier Approx.38km
Today you will cycle from Saarburg along the idyllic nature reserve of the abandoned meander of the River Saar. Further on to Wasserbillig in Luxemburg and from here to the Igeler Säule. Later you will reach Trier, where your barge is already waiting for you.
Trier – Mehring Approx. 26km or 29km
After breakfast you will cycle from Trier via the charming village of Pfalzel to Mehring, famous for its white wine and home to the largest wine-growing community in the Moselle-Saar-Ruwer region..
Mehring – Piesport - Bernkastel-Kues Approx. 47km
Today you will reach Bernkastel-Kues by bike. The market place from the Middle Ages with many wood timbered houses invites you for a rest. On your way you visit Neumagen-Dhron which is the oldest wine city of Germany. Further on you reach Piesport, the oldest wine growing community along the Moselle. You should take the time to enjoy the popular wines.
Bernkastel-Kues – Traben-Trarbach – Zell Approx. 43km
From Bernkastel-Kues to Traben-Trarbach the route continues along the right bank of the Moselle. You follow the meanders of the Moselle and reach Zell on the Moselle. Known for the “Zeller Schwarze Katz” wine location. In Zell you should take the opportunity to get to know the good wines of the Moselle.
Zell – Beilstein – Cochem Approx. 39km
The perfect maintained historical centre of Beilstein, “the Sleeping Beauty of the Mosel”, is waiting for you. Today’s tour ends in Cochem with the Reichsburg. Cochem is a lovely little town with historical half timbered houses and a picturesque Old town.
Boat tour of Cochem - Koblenz, day of rest on board or alternative : Cochem – Alken - Koblenz Approx. 50km
Today you can spend the day on board and relax on the sundeck. Enjoy the beautiful Moselle landscape passing by and stroll along the “Deutsche Eck” in Koblenz in the afternoon, where Moselle and Rhine flow together. Experienced cyclists can cycle from Cochem to Koblenz and visit Burg Eltz.
Disembarkation: Koblenz
After breakfast: disembarkation and end of the tour.
Tours marked with are special prices.
| Start | End | Max. No. Guests | Accommodation | Price p.p. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 10 2025 | May 17 2025 | 96 | Single rooms | 1,549€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,249€ | |||||
| Aug 16 2025 | Aug 23 2025 | 96 | Single rooms | 1,549€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,249€ | |||||
| Aug 30 2025 | Sep 06 2025 | 96 | Single rooms | 1,549€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,249€ | |||||
| Sep 13 2025 | Sep 20 2025 | 96 | Single rooms | 1,549€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,249€ | |||||
| Sep 27 2025 | Oct 04 2025 | 96 | Single rooms | 1,249€ | ||
| Double rooms | 1,099€ |
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
96
Our bike and barge tour certainly exceeded our expectations. The captain and crew were very welcoming and always went out of their way to ensure all our needs were met. While the cabin was on the small size, it was certainly adequate in the circumstances as we were mostly cycling during the day or socialising in the common areas of the vessel at other times. Being a small boat meant we got to know all fellow travellers by sight and got to know quite a few very well. We were the only Australians on board, with around 30 British, quite a few Germans, six Canadians and two Swedes. At the end of the first day's cycling we had quite a few sore spots but thankfully we rode these out the next day and suffered no ill effects from then on. Although the weather was quite often cloudy and misty, particularly in the mornings, it proved to be perfect for bike riding. Winds were generally slight and we only experienced a half an hour's rain on one day. We were certainly disappointed when the tour concluded. The highlights for us were travelling through numerous tiny villages and taking in the history of the region through which the Saar and Moselle rivers meander. We also enjoyed getting to know our fellow cyclists and sharing anecdotes with them. At the end of the tour we hired another vehicle and drove around the middle Rhine region before heading to the Essen area where we had a wedding to attend (the principal reason for our visit to Germany). After the tranquility of the barge and bike experience, this came as quite a shock to us in terms of congestion and development. Wendy and Nigel Summertown, Australia