From hiking trails to a stroll through the city of Trier


The city of Trier is surrounded by vineyards and forests and is close to Luxembourg, France and Belgium, making it the perfect starting point for excursions on foot or by bike to the wine-making villages of the Moselle valley, the Eifel and the Hunsrück. The ancient Romans were the first to fall in love with the scenery, produce fruity Moselle wines and build their villas on the banks of the Moselle. And it has lost none of its charm to this day. Three of the loveliest premium long-distance hiking trails in Rhineland-Palatinate – the Saar-Hunsrück, Eifelsteig and Moselsteig trails – approach the city from different directions. There are also various additional loops along the trails to provide lots of combination options and hiking routes that also take in the city.

Trier on the Moselle, Moselle valley

View of Trier on the Moselle, Moselle valley

Walkers on the Saar-Hunsrück Trail through the vineyards of the Petrisberg are rewarded with fantastic sweeping views of the oldest city in Germany. The city was founded by Emperor Augustus in 16 BC and by 293 had risen to become the residence of the emperor and capital of the western Roman Empire. UNESCO has listed the Roman buildings, the cathedral and the Liebfrauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) as World Heritage Sites. No tour of the city would be complete without a look around them.

The tour begins at the bottom of the Petrisberg, at the Roman amphitheatre with space for 18,000 spectators. The large elliptical arena is surrounded by a wall that is four metres tall. Just a 10-minute walk away are the impressive ruins of the Imperial Baths. This massive baths complex was built in the year 300 by Emperor Constantine II. There are footpaths leading from the Imperial Baths through the gardens of the Prince-elector’s Palace to the Aula Palatina. The emperor’s throne once sat in this 67-metre hall. A wander along ‘An der Meerkatz’ and Liebfrauenstrasse takes you to the cathedral, which was built on the foundations of previous Roman buildings and combines many periods of European art and architectural history. In its shadow stands the Liebfrauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), the first and oldest purely Gothic church in Germany.

St Peter’s Cathedral in Trier, Roman City

St Peter’s Cathedral in Trier is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Roman City

Sternstrasse connects the cathedral cemetery to the main market square, which features not only the Marktkreuz cross and the Marktbrunnen fountain, but also various charming colourful houses in the Renaissance and baroque styles. The ‘Steipe’, a town-house built in 1430, and the ‘Red House’ are very much worth seeing. Simeonstrasse leads in a straight line to the northern city gates of ancient Trier, the Porta Nigra. The impressive gate was built of sandstone blocks and withstood the attacks of the Teutons in the 3rd century. It was also the home of Simeon the Hermit in the Middle Ages and was completely overhauled under Napoleon in the 18th century.

The tourist information office in Trier offers a wide range of themed guided tours. One particularly popular option is the themed guided tours of the city, the amphitheatre, the Porta Nigra or the Imperial Baths with the devil, gladiator Valerius or a Roman tribune or centurion, all cleverly played by actors.

Walkers enjoy views of Trier, Moselle valley

Walkers enjoy wonderful views of Trier, Moselle valley

From Porta Nigra, it’s over the bridge to the other side of the Moselle and straight along the Eifelsteig trail to a walk through the wildly romantic Butzerbach valley, or along the Moselsteig trail to Felsenpfad and the wonderful views from the heights of the Weisshauswald forest to the city of Trier, or, in the other direction to Konz, which was once the home of Roman Emperor Valentinian.

More recommended excursions for culture and outdoor lovers:


More information about holidays in Trier

Find out everything about events, sights and more destinations in Trier at Trier Tourismus und Marketing GmbH.

Eifelsteig Etappe 15: Kordel - Trier

medium

18,0 km

5:15 h
On the last stage of the Eifelsteig, the highlights are the wild and romantic Butzerbachtal valley…

Moselsteig Trail Stage 05: Trier – Schweich

medium

19,9 km

5:00 h
From the Roman city to the Roman Wine Route  

Saar-Hunsrück Climb - 27th leg: Kasel - Filsch - Trimmelter Hof (Trier) "Ruwer-Route"

easy

15,4 km

4:00 h
The 27th stage of the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig leads from the idyllic Ruwer valley to the oldest city in…

Main Market (Hauptmarkt)

Trier, Stadt Trier The Main Market Square became the center of medieval Trier and is surrounded by the Steipe, St. Gangolf church, the official city yardstick, the…

Audiopoint along the Moselle Cycle Path (Trier's Roman Bridge)

Trier, Stadt Trier Between Perl and Koblenz there are 40 good reasons to get off your bike and take a little “audio-break”: The "Audiopoints along the Moselle Cycle…

Audiopoint along the Moselle Cycle Path (Trier-Zurlauben)

Trier, Stadt Trier Between Perl and Koblenz there are 40 good reasons to get off your bike and take a little “audio-break”: The "Audiopoints along the Moselle Cycle…

Mariensäule

Trier, Stadt Trier St Mary‘s Column towers above the city at the highest point of the sandstone rocks and a 40 metre pillar. The location affords a spectacular view…

Museum at the cathedral

Trier, Stadt Trier You should take a look at these treasures from some 1700 years of diocesan history, including ceiling paintings from a Roman residential palace…

Municipal Museum Simeonstift

Trier, Stadt Trier Peter, Helena and the market cross - the city museum has them all. Anyone who admires the statues of saints on the Steipe on the main market, walks…