Any cyclists with recommendations on cycling the Mosel River vs. along the Rhine? We will be driving from Duisburg to Stuttgart, renting bikes somewhere along the way - looking for advice. 3 are avid cyclists, the 4th not so much so we are not looking to do long distances but want to enjoy the scenery in a saddle!
Posted by
Nederland, CO
1532 posts
I've only cycled on the Mosel (between cochem and Beilstein) which does have a bike path next to it except between Moselkern and Koblenz I believe. We are using a company called Velociped to do a bike tour from Metz France to Cochem next year. If you look on their website it talks about trail conditions, and will give you an idea of the sights along the way for many different routes in the area including the Rhine. We've stayed on the Rhine a few times and like it very much. The Rhine seems much busier than the Mosel. We did a bike tour through Radweg Reisen a few years ago and biked around Lake Constance. It is one of our BEST European memories! Have fun!
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8530 posts
I have not biked the routes, but will say that the Mosel is less crowded, more charming towns, and has a more rural feel than the Rhine.
Posted by
Castle Rock, Colorado
185 posts
I have never biked along the Rhine River, however I have biked along the Mosel many times, mostly between Cochem and Beilstein, although one time I arrived at the little ferry where I needed to cross the river to Beilstein, just as it shut down from 12:00 - 1:00. I looked at my map and saw that there was a bridge to cross over about in about 6-8 Km so I just rode on and used the bridge instead of the ferry. There are great bike trails on both sides of the river.
Posted by
Green Bay
22179 posts
Here is a site with information on the bike-bus that operates in the area along with a lot of information, including maps. There is a disused rail road bed along the river with semi-paved trail. Besides the buses, you can take your bikes on the trains, maybe at an additional charge.
https://regioradler.de/pages/en_en/start.php?lang=EN
Edit. Free to take bikes on trains after 9 am weekdays and all day weekends, If they have space.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
531 posts
Haven't rode bikes along the Rhine, but a couple years ago my wife and I rented bikes in Cochem and rode south a bit, then crossed the river and back up to Beilstein. Stopped there for a bite to eat and a glass of wine before returning to Cochem. (memory is fuzzy, but think round trip we went about 20 miles). Very easy ride as flat and bike lanes/trail the whole way. Very picturesque and one of the highlights of the trip.