Lehmen: Vineyard Trails, Wine and Moselle History

Lehmen combines steep vineyards, trails of very different scales, and a vibrant history of winegrowing and culture. The Würzlaysteig is a long themed trail that runs from here to Löf; the vineyard experience trail in the Razejungewingert offers its own highlights. If you are looking for accommodation in Lehmen, you can plan your days around whether hiking, cycling, vineyard scenery or individual cultural sites are your main focus.

On Foot Through Vineyards and Valleys

The Würzlaysteig is an 11.3-kilometre linear themed trail on the Mosel.Erlebnis.Route from Lehmen to Löf. Its northern section runs from Lehmen to the Ausoniusstein viewpoint above the steep vineyards. This section is 2.7 kilometres long and requires a head for heights, sure-footedness and stamina. Depending on your fitness, allow about 1.5 to 2.5 hours; the section is not recommended for children under eight. This makes it easy to distinguish the longer trail from a short visit to the vineyard, while keeping the demands of the steep section in mind.

The vineyard experience trail in the Razejungewingert is a circular route about 280 metres long. Information panels explain features of the vineyard, including dry-stone walls as habitats, as well as butterflies and reptiles. Members of the Lehmer Razejunge created the project for children on a voluntary basis; however, the circular route is not exclusively for children. From the car park by the Lehmen lock on the B 416, a signposted footpath of about 500 metres leads to the trail. Check the signs and parking situation locally for temporary changes.

A much longer hiking route is the 100-kilometre Schoppenstecher circular trail, which runs along both sides of the Moselle between Koblenz and Treis-Karden. It passes through steep vineyards, wooded heights and wine villages. Sights in Lehmen along this route include the Klosterberg viewpoint, the Moselle barrage, the bell tower and the Ausoniusstein viewpoint. In Lehmen, short vineyard trails sit alongside a regional circular route on a different scale in terms of time and distance.

Winegrowing and Cultural Landscape

Lehmen is a winegrowing community with 23 hectares of planted vineyard area today. About 80 percent is devoted to white grape varieties and 20 percent to red grape varieties. Riesling is the predominant grape variety in the five vineyard sites of Moselsürscher Fahrberg, Lehmener Ausoniusstein, Lehmener Klosterberg, Lehmener Würzlay and Lehmener Lay. These names place the winegrowing sites in the landscape and give a clear sense of how closely wine villages, slopes and named vineyards are connected.

The Lehmener Würzlay stretches from the southern edge of the village to the Ausoniusstein nature reserve in the direction of Kattenes. It is one of 30 designated historic winegrowing landscapes along the Moselle. There, the Würzlaysteig passes through the valley cuttings of the Ausoniusstein nature reserve, the Katteneser Mühlental, the Kehrbachtal and the Alsbachtal. These valleys offer glimpses of local flora and fauna, providing a different experience from the open vineyards.

The Würzlay provides a habitat for rare species found in the Moselle vineyards, including the rock bunting, common wall lizard, smooth snake and red-winged grasshopper. Numerous day- and night-flying moths and butterflies can also be spotted there. The Razejungewingert is a focal point for the biodiversity of the Lehmener Würzlay; rare species listed there also include the Apollo butterfly and the European honey buzzard. Nature enthusiasts will find specific connections to the landscape and its species alongside the trails.

Traces of History and Craft

A former slate mine is located at the Ausoniusstein viewpoint. Moselle slate was mined there until the 1930s. The viewpoint also offers views of the Moselle Valley and Oberfell, Kattenes and Alken. Another landmark, high above Lehmen right next to the L 82, is the Lehmen lime tree. A wayside shrine was erected beside it in 1759; the tree is estimated to be 300 to 320 years old. It has been protected as a natural monument since 1937.

Vineyard culture is also part of local history. The Lehmer Razejunge maintain their own vineyard in the Würzlay, along with vineyard terraces, dry-stone walls and small biotopes on the steep slopes. They also introduce children and young people to winegrowing in the cultural landscape of the Terrassenmosel. The small, unadorned bell tower on St. Castor’s Church in Lehmen houses one bell; it has been a listed monument since 1980. These details bring together landscape conservation, winegrowing and architectural history, without requiring a single visit to cover every topic.

Lehmen as a Starting Point for Your Trip

If the Würzlaysteig is the focus of your trip, Lehmen is a natural place to search: the linear themed trail starts here and leads to Löf. The Würzlaysteig is easily accessible via the railway stations in Lehmen, Kattenes and Löf; check the timetable for specific journeys. Cyclists also have a clear connection to the landscape: the Moselle Cycle Route runs right past the vineyard experience trail in Lehmen. The best accommodation for your trip therefore depends first on whether you give more weight to the longer hike, the short circular route, the vineyard landscape or a cycling stage.

Discover more destinations: Castles.

Go to the main travel overview: Kobern-Gondorf.