Von Kurköln zu den Deutschherren - Theme trail

The cultural trail to the testimonies of the secular and ecclesiastical past between Trier and Kurköln runs around the dual parish of Zeltingen-Rachtig.

Zeltingen-Rachtig belonged for over 1000 years to the secular property of the archbishops of Cologne, while ecclesiastically it belonged to the archbishop of Trier. The inhabitants of this traditional wine village owe this to the tradition of St. Kunibert, Archbishop of Cologne and probably born on the Rosenburg above Zeltingen. The ruins of the castle, which can hardly be seen today, were later filled with slate and converted into a vineyard. The cultural trail "From Kurköln to the German Lords" is part of the Moselle Experience Route and leads as a circular route through the vineyards and the historic town centres of Zeltingen and Rachtig. It enriches the highly significant wine cultural landscape of the Moselle with the theme of culture and everyday life in the Moselle village from the Middle Ages to modern times.

Insights into the hiking tour:

Around Zeltingen-Rachtig, the culture trail leads through the vineyards and the historic Ostrkerne of the community. Here you will find evidence of the secular and ecclesiastical past of Trier and Kurköln.

12,7 km
2:00 h
258 m
215 m

Route information

Route length: 12,7 km

Difficulty: hard

Hiking time: 2:00 h

Ascent: 257.86 m

Descent: 215.47 m

Start Point: Hotel Deutschherrenhof in the district Rachtig

End Point: Hotel Deutschherrenhof in the district Rachtig

GPX

Impressionen

Beschilderung Wandweg Kurköln zu den Deutschherren

More information

Characteristics

Rundtour
familienfreundlich
kulturell / historisch
kinderwagengerecht

Directions

The Kulturweg can be entered at various points, this hiking suggestion starts at the information board number 1 opposite the Hotel Deutschherrenhof in the Rachtig district. At the beginning the route runs through the old village centre of Rachtig and then leads you across the village square out of the village to the old church, which is already in the middle of the vineyards. A few steps back the vineyards are divided. Keeping to the left, you climb slowly through the cultivated areas up to the viewing platform at the Pastor's bend.The Wine Experience Trail, which used to run parallel, turns left here at an acute angle and climbs further uphill through the vineyards, while the Culture Trail now leads to the Roman saint's cottage at a height above Zeltingen. Continuing along the "Alte Heerstraße", the path pleasantly keeps its altitude and leads you further uphill above Zeltingen, until you reach the remains of the Rosenburg. From here you have a beautiful view of the Zeltingen barrage and the construction of the second lock chamber.The path continues along the spur path to the castle ruins back towards Zeltingen. Surrounded by vineyards and the cultural landscape you will feel the typical "Moselle feeling". A large part of the village lives from and for winegrowing, mainly Riesling.Following the further trail along the banks of the Moselle, below the Rosenburg you will come to the Zeltinger Sonnenuhr of 1620, the largest fully functional sundial in German vineyards. Past the later seat of the Kurkölner along the riverbank to the pretty market square of Zeltingen, lined with half-timbered houses. Officially, the hike between Kurköln and the Teutonic Knights ends here. You can walk through the centre of Zeltingen or along the banks of the Moselle back to your starting point in Rachtig.

Journey

www.vrt-info.de, www.bahn.de

Bernkastel-Kues: Taxi Edringer: (0049) 6531 - 8149, Taxi Priwitzer: (0049) 6531 - 96970, Taxi Reitz: (0049) 6531 - 6455

Free parking is available in the Gestadestraße at the hotels and in the residential area. Please note that in the high season the parking spaces are mainly occupied by hotel guests.

Tip

Worthwhile is a visit to the Machern Monastery (opposite side of the Moselle) with its dolls, toys and icons museum, wine cabinet, brewery with distillery, chapel and an ice cream parlour. No special safety instructions.

Equipment

Sturdy shoes

Literature

WanderGuide - the hiking brochure in the Bernkastel-Kues holiday region. With description and map (only in German).