Burg Eltz from Moselkern

The walk starts at Moselkern station, on the railway between Koblenz and Trier. It goes through the village and up a lane beside the Elzbach to the Ringelsteiner Mühle, an old mill that is now an inn, where the tarmac ends. A forest path follows the stream on up the narrow valley, stony and rooty in places, until the castle appears above the trees; steps and a bridge lead up to its gate. Return the same way.

It is 10 km there and back with 132 m of ascent; allow about 3 hours. The grade is Easy. The first 2.5 km are on a lane; beyond the mill it is a woodland path.

Burg Eltz, first recorded in 1157, stands on a rock with the Elzbach on three sides. It was never taken by force and is still owned by the family that built it. Coming on foot from the Moselle is the old way in, and you see nothing of the castle until you are almost under it.

The valley path is free and open all year, but the castle is open only from late March to the start of November: in 2026 from 29 March to 1 November, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, at €14 for adults. In winter you can still walk to the castle and look at it from outside.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.