Lehmen: Vineyards, nature and paths along the Moselle
Accommodation in Lehmen
Steep vineyards, historic terraces and paths with very different character define Lehmen on the Moselle. Here, you can combine a longer themed trail, a short vineyard discovery trail and explorations of a biodiverse cultural landscape. The holiday apartment in Lehmen that suits your trip also depends on whether you mainly want to hike, cycle, or explore the vineyards and local history.
File:Moselstaustufe Lehmen 1974 HB15230.jpg
Photo: Unknown author Unknown author via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Hiking trails for different levels
The Würzlaysteig is an 11.3-kilometre linear themed trail on the Mosel.Erlebnis.Route from Lehmen to Löf. Lehmen, Kattenes and Löf railway stations are all possible starting points for this trail, making the Würzlaysteig easy to reach. The northern section between Lehmen and the Ausoniusstein is 2.7 kilometres long and runs above steep vineyards. You need a head for heights, sure footing and stamina. Depending on your fitness, allow about 1.5 to 2.5 hours for this section; it is not really suitable for children under eight.
The Schoppenstecher circular hiking trail is on a completely different scale: the route is 100 kilometres long and runs along both sides of the Moselle through steep vineyards, wooded heights and wine-growing villages between Koblenz and Treis-Karden. Sights in Lehmen include the Klosterberg viewpoint, the Moselle barrage, the bell tower and the Ausoniusstein viewpoint. You can choose between walking a section of a long circular trail and taking the Würzlaysteig as a linear route.
Würzlay: vineyard landscape and habitat
Lehmen’s Würzlay stretches from the southern edge of the village to the Ausoniusstein nature reserve in the direction of Kattenes. One of 30 designated historic wine-growing landscapes along the Moselle, it brings together wine-growing history and exceptional nature. The Würzlaysteig leads through four valleys: the Ausoniusstein nature reserve, as well as the Katteneser Mühlental, Kehrbachtal and Alsbachtal valleys. These areas offer insights into the local flora and fauna.
Rare species found in the Moselle vineyards of the Würzlay include the rock bunting, common wall lizard, smooth snake and red-winged grasshopper; numerous day- and night-flying butterflies can also be spotted. The Razejungewingert is a focal point of the Würzlay’s biodiversity. The Apollo butterfly and European honey buzzard are also found there. From the Ausoniusstein viewpoint, you can look out over the Moselle valley and towards Oberfell, Kattenes and Alken. If you are interested in the history of slate mining: a former slate mine is located at the viewpoint, where Moselle slate was extracted until the 1930s.
Wine-growing and little discoveries
Lehmen is a wine-growing community with 23 hectares of planted vineyards today. Around 80 percent are planted with white-wine varieties and 20 percent with red-wine varieties. Riesling is the dominant grape variety in the five Moselle vineyard sites of Moselsürscher Fahrberg, Lehmener Ausoniusstein, Lehmener Klosterberg, Lehmener Würzlay and Lehmener Lay. You will encounter these names in a landscape shaped by wine-growing on the slopes.
A roughly 280-metre circular trail with themed information boards winds through the vineyard at Razejungewingert. Topics include dry-stone walls as habitats, butterflies and reptiles. Members of the Lehmer Razejunge created the discovery trail for children on a voluntary basis; there is also a picnic area. From the car park at the Lehmen lock on the B 416, you can reach the trail by following a signposted footpath of about 500 metres. The Moselle Cycle Route runs right past the vineyard discovery trail.
Culture along the way
In Lehmen, the Schoppenstecher hiking trail passes, among other sights, the bell tower of St. Castor’s Church. The small, unarticulated tower has a bell, dates from the 12th century and has been a listed monument since 1980. The Lehmen lime tree also stands high above Lehmen, right beside the L 82. It is estimated to be 300 to 320 years old and has been protected as a natural monument since 1937. Beside the tree is a wayside shrine built in 1759.
When choosing where to stay, you can base your decision on your planned trip: Lehmen is the starting point of the Würzlaysteig and lies on the Moselle Cycle Route, while the vineyard discovery trail combines short themed stops with insights into wine-growing and nature. If you would like to discover other destinations at the same higher level, you can also find castles.
For the broader travel overview: Kobern-Gondorf.
