Discover Winningen: Vineyard Terraces, Trails and History

Vineyard terraces, hiking trails and Winningen’s wine tradition

Winningen combines a landscape shaped by terraced viticulture with hiking trails, wine experiences and historic buildings. The vineyard terraces around the town bring the work involved in cultivating steep slopes to life: their walls contain 130 arches and 600 scissor steps. Up to 29 terraces are stacked above one another; in the Uhlen, Hamm, Röttgen and Brückstück vineyards, many kilometres of dry-stone walls run along the slopes. If you want to make landscape and culture the focus of your trip, you’ll find plenty of starting points here for a varied holiday.

Exploring on foot and by bike

Winningen is a stop on several long-distance hiking trails, including the Moselsteig and the Rhein-Burgen-Weg. Another route, the Traumpfädchen Moseltraum circular trail, leads from the Weilsborn spring along small paths and past old vineyard walls, then climbs steeply to the Domgartenhütte. Its steep ascent and the paths described give the route its own character. A cycling route starting in Winningen runs along the foot of the steep slopes cultivated using the historic terraced-vineyard method. If you’d rather get out on the water, you can include the SUP and canoe hire available in Winningen for groups and individuals in your travel plans.

Around Winningen, the Winninger Weinpfade comprise five new routes adapted to the vineyards and showcasing the wine-cultural landscape. The Leuchtpunkt Winninger Weinbergterrassen is also freely accessible via these wine trails. The terraces are also a habitat for the Apollo butterfly and the eagle owl. So these routes are not just about hiking and viticulture; they also lead through a landscape that provides a habitat for special animal species.

Wine and local history

At the vinothek in Winningen’s Spital, you can taste and buy around 40 wines and sparkling wines from independent Winningen wineries. The selection also includes wine-related products such as spirits and books about wine. In 1994, the municipality of Winningen renovated the building for use as a venue for wine, culture and information. For wine enthusiasts, it’s a place to sample wine while exploring a building whose uses bring together these three themes.

The historic town centre also features several notable landmarks. The Weinhexbrunnen fountain is surrounded by a half-timbered ensemble and commemorates the witch trials of the 17th century. The well-preserved Horntor represents the town’s former six gates. The Weinhof at Moselufer 5 is also part of the town centre; it includes a wine cellar dating from 1897 and two turreted towers. The Winningen Museum is a cultural history museum housed in a listed building erected by Claudius von Lassaulx in 1833.

The Evangelical Church is also of architectural interest: it has a Romanesque tower, as well as late Romanesque elements in the nave and the small southern apse. The courtyard of the Barons of Heddesdorff dates from the 16th century. Together, these buildings illustrate different aspects of the town’s history, without limiting a visit to just one theme. The Winninger Moselfest is described as Germany’s oldest wine festival.

Choose a focus for your holiday

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Winningen, you can consider what you’d like your trip to revolve around: hiking and views of the terraced vineyards, wine and local culture, or the architectural history of the town centre. The attractions and sights mentioned here offer several starting points, without requiring you to focus on just one holiday theme.

Discover more places

If you’d like to explore more places in this selection: Pillig, Bendorf, Lonnig, Wierschem, Urmitz, Rüber, Lasserg and Kirchwald.

For the broader travel overview: Mayen-Koblenz.