What to do · Moselle Valley
Calmont Klettersteig between Eller and Bremm
Information
- Price
- On your own · free
- Duration
- 3 h
- Distance
- 6 km
- Season
- Spring to autumn, with the path dry; in summer, first thing or at the end of the afternoon
- Who it's for
- Teenagers and adults with a firm foot and no fear of heights
What it is
The Calmont is the vineyard slope that drops almost vertically over the Bremm meander, one of the steepest vineyards in Europe. Through the middle, between Eller and Bremm, runs a secured path that crosses the ribs of rock horizontally: iron ladders, cables and walkways between dry-stone walls and vines. It is not a harness-type via ferrata, but a high-level path with exposed sections; Bergwelten grades it A/B.
The Rhein-Mosel transport association's listing describes it as one of the most spectacular rock trails in Germany and suggests doing it as a loop: 6 km and about 3 hours, starting and finishing at Ediger-Eller or Bremm.
The route
- Start at Eller. From the car park or Ediger-Eller station you follow the access to the Moselhöhenweg along the Ellerbach valley, pass under the railway line and climb in bends to the Galgenlay viewpoint, where the secured path begins.
- The Klettersteig. Three ladders climb a rock spur; then the path slips through gullies and ribs, climbs onto stone walls, crosses a wall by a narrow ledge and goes along an almost vertical ridge above the ruins of Stuben convent. You reach the end, above Bremm, in one or two hours.
- The summit. A very steep climb to the great cross of the Calmont, with a view over the meander. At weekends and on summer public holidays they serve a glass of Calmont Riesling there.
- The return. Along the Moselhöhenweg, along the ridge, to the eastern summit shelter and a direct descent by the Eller Todesangst to the Galgenlay and the river.
Difficulty
The whole route, not just the secured stretch, goes along narrow paths that call for a firm foot and no fear of heights, including the descent to Eller. Hiking footwear with a good sole. It is not for small children; teenagers used to the mountains enjoy it.
When to go
The name comes from Latin and means hot mountain. Above 30 °C, the listing recommends doing it only first thing or at the end of the afternoon. In the rain, the rock and the steps are slippery: wait for it to dry. There are rest shelters and viewpoints at several points.
Getting there
By train on the Koblenz–Trier line to Ediger-Eller, which has a station at the foot of the path. By car, park at Eller or at Bremm.
Tips
- Start from Eller That way you climb the ladders instead of descending them.
- Bring water On the slope there is no shade or fountains.
- Look at the meander from the cross It is the classic Moselle view, with Bremm and Stuben convent below.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a harness on the Calmont Klettersteig?
It is not a harness via ferrata, but a secured path with ladders and cables. You need a firm foot and no fear of heights.
How long does it take?
The 6 km loop takes about 3 hours; the secured stretch, one to two.
Can you go by train?
Yes, Ediger-Eller has a station on the Koblenz–Trier line.
With teenagers
