Transportation to Burg Eltz Castle
By Train, Boat, Car, and on Foot to Germany’s Most Romantic Fortress
Jun 13, 2008
Burg Eltz, one of Germany’s most romantic medieval castles, is in a somewhat isolated valley just off the Mosel Valley near the city Koblenz in the Rhineland Palatinate.
The traditional approach to Burg Eltz is by hiking from the small town Moselkern, which can be reached by car, train, or boat. Drivers can get closer to the castle but some hiking is usually required to get to the medieval building itself.
To Burg Eltz on Foot
Burg Eltz is traditionally approached on foot via the Elzbach (Elz Stream) valley from Moselkern on the Mosel River. The easy hike on mostly unpaved paths takes around 45 minutes to an hour.
The trail is marked “Burg Eltz” from the station and boat landing in Moselkern. Once at the outskirts of this small town, the trail is unpaved with somewhat steep inclines near the castle itself.
- Many other longer and more challenging hiking trails are available from other starting points to the castle. Enquire at the castle or local tourist information offices for details.
To Moselkern / Burg Eltz by Train
Moselkern is a stop on the hourly Regional Bahn (RB) trains from Koblenz to Cochem and Trier. The train ride takes 30 minutes from Koblenz, 20 minutes from Cochem, and 90 minutes from Trier.
Trains to Koblenz generally run through the lovely Rhine Valley and takes 90 minutes to two hours from Frankfurt or Frankfurt International Aiport (FRA) and less than an hour from Mainz, Bonn, or Cologne (Köln).
To Moselkern / Burg Eltz by Boat
During the season, generally late April to early October, Moselkern can be reached on a Köln–Düsseldorfer (KD) riverboat. Boats generally leave Koblenz at 9:45 am to reach Moselkern at 1 pm and Cochem at 3 pm. Return boats leave Cochem at 3:40 pm, stop at Moselkern at 5 pm, and reach Koblenz at 8 pm.
To Burg Eltz by Car
The easiest way to Burg Eltz by car is to follow Autobahn A48 from Koblenz to Trier and turn off at Mayen (exit 6) towards Münstermaifeld. From Münstermaifeld, follow the signboards to Burg Eltz via Wierschem.
- From the well-marked Antoniuskapelle (St Anthony’s Chapel) parking lot, it is an 800-m (half-mile) walk to the castle itself. The road is paved but some steep inclines are tough on untrained leg muscles. A small shuttle bus is available if required.
When driving in the Mosel Valley rather than using the autobahn, turn off from the B416 on the left (north) bank of the river in Hatzenport towards Münstermaifeld. Alternatively, drivers can use the Ringelsteiner Mühle car parking lot in Moselkern and approach the castle on foot along the Elzbach.
- Burg Eltz is an easy day trip, especially for drivers, from larger German cities such as Frankfurt, Trier, and Cologne.
Burg Eltz has a long history as a family-owned castle, which allowed it to preserve its historical appearance. Opening hours are daily during the summer season with tickets sold on site only.
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