Discover Bernkastel-Wittlich: Wine, Castles and Nature

In Bernkastel-Wittlich, the volcanic Eifel, romantic Moselle Valley and forest- and meadow-rich Hunsrück meet. Nature and outdoor activities, wine, and cultural and historical themes offer different ways to shape your stay.

Hiking, winter sports and cycling

At 816 metres, the Erbeskopf invites you to go hiking and offers a range of winter sports. The National Park Gate at the Erbeskopf provides information about nature and the environment. Its interactive, multimedia exhibition focuses primarily on forests and moors. Nature information and various ways to spend time outdoors come together in one place.

The Maare-Mosel Cycle Route offers a longer ride: it runs for 58.5 kilometres from Daun to Bernkastel-Kues along a disused railway line. A cycle bus takes cyclists from Bernkastel-Kues back to the starting point of the Maare-Mosel Cycle Route; the return journey can be booked in advance. Include this return trip in your plans and check the latest timetable and booking information beforehand.

In Manderscheid, two hiking options are easy to compare by their key details. The Manderscheid Castle Trail is a moderately difficult 5.4-kilometre circular route around the castles; the stated duration is two hours. The Castle Via Ferrata has three stages and is about four kilometres long in total. One kilometre of it is secured with cables. These details offer a concrete comparison between a circular hike and a via ferrata, which are different types of tour.

Wine, pilgrimage and culture

The vinotheque in the historic vaulted cellars of St. Nicholas Hospital offers tastings of wines from the Moselle, Saar and Ruwer. There are 100 wines to choose from, ranging from quality wines to ice wine. The three wine regions and the range of wine categories on offer provide the setting for a tasting, while the historic vaults shape the venue.

Pilgrimage is also part of the destination’s history. The pilgrimage church of Maria Heimsuchung in Klausen was consecrated in 1502. Klausen remains a destination for pilgrims every year. For a different kind of cultural experience, the Zylinderhaus presents 90 years of German automotive history, with more than 100 cars, motorcycles and vans.

The Cusanus birthplace in Kues serves as a museum and event venue, with a permanent exhibition about Nicholas of Cusa. The Noviomagi Museum in Neumagen-Dhron takes visitors back to Roman times and displays original finds, including pottery and stone fragments from funerary monuments. The two museums thus offer different points of interest: an exhibition about Nicholas of Cusa and archaeological finds.

Castles and Moselle experiences

The Manderscheid Castles are two medieval ruins on steep hill spurs above the Lieser, facing each other. Their setting provides the focal point for the Castle Trail and the via ferrata, while the routes themselves differ in length and number of stages. The Burgweiher pond, a protected natural monument, is also located in the Lieser Valley on the edge of Manderscheid.

In Neumagen-Dhron, the approximately 45-minute audio tour starts at the tourist information centre. Its archaeological circular route is about 800 metres long and passes historic sites, monuments and finds. A cruise on the Moselle aboard the STELLA NOVIOMAGI also departs from Neumagen-Dhron. The short circular walk and the cruise are two different ways to spend time in this town.

Choose your hotel location to suit your travel plans

If you’re looking for a hotel in Bernkastel-Wittlich, first decide which places are most important to your stay. Klausen is known for pilgrimage, Manderscheid for castles and hiking routes, and Neumagen-Dhron for archaeology and a Moselle cruise. If you’re planning to ride the Maare-Mosel Cycle Route, also factor in the return journey by cycle bus and the need to book it in advance.

Discover more destinations: Immert, Wittlich, Thalfang Am Erbeskopf, Morbach, Traben-Trarbach, Manderscheid, Bernkastel-Kues, Reil, Kröv-Bausendorf, Flußbach, Oberöfflingen, Salmtal, Ürzig, Osann-Monzel, Dierscheid.

Back to the regional travel overview: Rhineland-Palatinate.