Ernst on the Moselle: Trails, Wine and History
Accommodation in Ernst
Ernst combines trails through the Moselle landscape with winegrowing, local history and trips on the river. When planning your trip, you can choose different areas of focus: experience the landscape on hiking trails, learn more about winegrowing, or take time to visit the museum and historic buildings.
Hiking and Landscape
The Moselkrampen Experience Trail connects Ernst with vineyards, fallow land, forest and small Moselle villages. Along the way, you can experience the local fauna and flora, history and Moselle culture. The route runs on both sides of the Moselle, using the ferry at Beilstein and the bridge at Bruttig to cross the river. Continuous trail signs guide you along the way; large information boards are located at the starting points. As the ferry operates seasonally, check its schedule before your hike.
The Ernst Wine Trail offers a different perspective: it climbs gently and explains grape varieties and winegrowing on information boards. While the Moselkrampen Experience Trail brings together a range of landscape and cultural themes, the educational trail focuses on winegrowing. The paths in Ernst are mostly level and paved with concrete paving stones or asphalt; benches are set along the Moselle. There are also quiet places to stop and relax on the riverbank. Path surfaces and facilities may change.
Winegrowing and Local History
The Moselland Museum presents village life in the 1950s and 1960s across four floors and around 1,600 square metres. Exhibits include a winegrower's house, a forge, a grape press and a school, as well as more than 20 historic tractors. A quiz trail adds to the visit. The winegrowing section follows the stages of the process, from pressing the grapes and fermenting the wine in the cellar to bottling. The demanding work in the steep vineyards along the Moselle is also shown. Check the current visitor regulations before your visit.
The Catholic Church of Ernst was built in 1845–1846 to plans by the architect Johann Claudius von Lassaulx. Its stained-glass windows date from 1912. The historic organ was made in 1868; H. L. Voltmann built it with 20 stops. These dates place the building's history and its furnishings in different periods.
Regional Specialties and Winegrowers
You can find regional specialties in wine taverns, bistros and restaurants. Businesses and menus may change. Profiles and direct links are available to help you find local winegrowers; the selection of participating wineries may vary. This means you can learn about winegrowing in Ernst not only on the educational trail and in the exhibition, but also by dining at regional establishments.
Information to Help You Plan
The Ernst Tourist Information Office offers excursion tips, hiking maps, information about accommodation providers and details of events. Moselschifffahrt Kolb offers sightseeing cruises and trips from Ernst to various destinations. Routes and operations may change; check the latest sailing information in advance. The landing stage in Ernst is accessible to people with disabilities. Accessibility on board may vary depending on the vessel.
The guest card offers discounts for Reichsburg Castle, the chairlift, the Mosel-Wein-Express and swimming pools in Cochem and Ellenz-Poltersdorf. As participating discount partners may change, check the current offers when planning your trip. Together with the Tourist Information Office's hiking and event information, these offers help you plan your time in Ernst around your own interests.
Discover more destinations: Sehl, Mesenich, Briedern, Nehren, Bruttig-Fankel, Klotten, Beilstein, Ellenz-Poltersdorf
Return to the main travel overview: Cochem.
