I will be going on a Bike to Barge trip in October 2024 from Cochem to Mettlach. This is a 8 day trip. We would like to add on time to both ends of the trip. A friend suggested adding the Black Forrest but I am not sure what would be added? Hiking? and if so we will not have a vehicle so what are we looking at - day trips? Also, wondering what we should do or see once we end in Mettlach? We can take as long or as short as we want and can travel anywhere the train takes us.
Posted by
Paradise
7276 posts
We would like to add on time to both ends of the trip.
What would interest you? You mentioned hiking... LOTS of scenic hiking is available near the Mosel River and nearby Rhine River.
Other options exist beyond the ends of the Cochem - Mettlach journey... you would not need to travel far to find nice places to visit.
Both Cochem and Mettlach are on a major railway that serves this region of the country; see the lower left corner of this rail map to locate these two towns:
https://www.vrminfo.de/fileadmin/data_vrminfo/PDF/RLP-Ticket_streckennetz.pdf
Cochem is quite close to Burg Eltz Castle.
In Braubach, near Koblenz, you could visit Marksburg Castle. Braubach is just one of several old-world Rhine towns (like Bacharach, Rüdesheim, and Boppard) with lots of half-timbered buildings. Day cruise boats hit most of the towns between Rüdesheim and Koblenz, passing dozens of cliffside castles on the way.
There are many things to see and do in between your start and end points as well. Maybe you should tell us what you are seeing in between them with your tour - then we can point you to OTHER enjoyable places you might have skipped over.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
1817 posts
Do you plan to do this in 2025? I'm going to assume this is the first half of October, as the boats tend to shut down after that.
How much time on either end? And are you really going upstream? The river flows Mettlach to Koblenz, where it joins the Rhine.
The Black Forest is not close to either end of your planned trip. Unless there's something specific you want to see there I'd look at other options.
Russ has provided some ideas for the northern end of your itinerary. The southern end also has many very interesting options, but it really helps to know what your interests are.
Saarburg is a nice town, good castle, waterfall in the middle of town, very popular with locals from Luxembourg and France for a days outings.
If you haven't spent time looking around Trier I highly recommend it Roman ruins, great museums, fantastic Dom, good food, gardens, etc. One of my favorite cities.
Saarbrucken is also a good city to wander around.
Homburg has a great castle, with huge caves underneath it and a good Roman museum.
You're close to France with St Avold and the major American cemetery (WWII) right there. Metz is less than an hour away by train.
Luxembourg city is fantastic and worth a couple days.
You want to look close at what fests are going on locally. October is a good time for harvest fess.
This link may help: https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Rhineland-Palatinate