Zell (Moselle): Wine, the Moselle Trail and history

There are three different ways to focus your stay in Zell (Moselle): winegrowing, trails and local history. The information below offers specific starting points to help you plan your stay according to your interests.

Winegrowing and local character

Zell has around 400 hectares of vineyards and about four million vines; these figures may gradually change. Riesling is the predominant grape variety. The steep slopes are mostly worked by hand, as machinery can hardly be used there. Winegrowing is therefore closely tied to the particular conditions of the steep vineyards.

You can taste and buy Moselle wines directly from Zell’s winegrowers. Many winegrowers offer wine tastings; Zell also has Straußwirtschaften (seasonal wine taverns) and wine shops. Check with each establishment in advance to find out whether tastings are available and when it is open.

Trails and views

Zell is directly connected to the Moselle Trail: Stage 14 runs from Reil via Marienburg to Zell. Stage 15 starts in Zell and heads towards Neef via the Collis via ferrata.

The Collis Steep Trail is 1.2 kilometres long, with 160 metres of elevation gain, via ferrata sections and an alpine character. An alternative route runs along old vineyard walls. The trail’s length alone therefore does not fully describe its character. Check safety conditions and trail status before setting out.

A town walk of around 3 kilometres starts at the Tourist Information Office in the town hall. It takes in the wine landmark, historic houses, the towers of the former town fortifications, the Moselle promenade, Collis Tower and the Electoral Palace. This offers a contrast between a route through town and the steep trail with its elevation gain. From Collis Tower, you can see the entire Zeller Hamm bend in the Moselle.

Museum and architectural history

The Wine and Local History Museum displays a hypocaust from a Roman bath discovered in Zell in 1987. A dedicated section covers Zell’s historic cigar-making industry and includes original equipment. You can also see tools from Kaspar Schleyer’s rope-making workshop. The museum also displays iron vine knives associated with Roman winegrowing on the Moselle.

The Round Tower and the Square Tower are surviving parts of the former town fortifications. In the district of Kaimt, the village centre has narrow, winding lanes and winegrowers’ houses. The Boos von Waldeckhof, a half-timbered house listed as a historic monument, is also located there. It was built around 1600 as the summer residence of the noble Boos von Waldeck family. Features of Zell Castle include Rococo stone figures and a wrought-iron window grille.

When planning your stay, you can prioritise your interests: wine tastings offer a way to explore winegrowing, while the Moselle Trail and Collis Steep Trail provide different experiences; the museum, towers and Kaimt put local history in the foreground. This makes it possible to tailor a hotel stay in Zell to the activities that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Pünderich, Alf, Altlay, Blankenrath, Sankt Aldegund, Neef, Bullay, Briedel, Liesenich, Merl, Haserich, Panzweiler, Tellig, Peterswald-Löffelscheid, Reidenhausen, Sosberg.

Go to the regional travel overview: Cochem-Zell.