May 6, 2026, 9:10 am | Read time: 8 minutes
PETBOOK author Manuela Lieflaender traveled to the Mosel with her partner Volker and their Australian Shepherd, Elvis–originally for a dog leisure park. In the end, it turned into a gourmet trip for discerning dog owners.
Like a Short Vacation Abroad
I thought no one my age vacations at the Mosel. You either go to the sea or the mountains. There’s nothing in between. Until I discovered that the only dog leisure park in Germany is located there, when I happened to see a sign on the way to a dog training course in the Mosel region. And so the idea for this report was born.
But during my research, I inevitably drifted off. The Mosel is not just any region. It feels different–lighter, more indulgent, almost like a short vacation abroad. Maybe it’s the French influence that resonates everywhere. The vineyards that cling to the slopes in tight loops. The small towns that are more about lifestyle than sightseeing. So my originally planned trip to the dog leisure park turned into a true gourmet journey with a dog.
Cochem: Wellness in a Historic Setting
The starting point was Cochem. Even the entrance to the city is spectacular. From afar, you can see the landmark: the majestic Reichsburg Cochem perched on a prominent rock cone above the city and vineyards, giving the place a fairytale silhouette.
In Cochem, I immediately noticed the quaint cafes, the historic half-timbered houses, and the winding alleys. For our first overnight stay, we wanted something special and chose the Hotel Kessler Meyer. Wellness hotels that explicitly advertise being dog-friendly are not so common in Germany.
Hotel with Green Space and Dog Waste Bag Dispenser
At the reception, every guest is invited to a welcome drink in the lounge. You relax on cozy sofas, enjoy a delicious peach liqueur, and Elvis made himself comfortable on the plush carpet with a bowl of water. The thoughtful concept continued: In the room, a high-quality hiking backpack was ready, equipped with water bottles for both dog and human on either side.
Coffee and cake were also available. We could have spent the whole day indulging or in the spa area, but you have to go for a walk in between. It’s convenient that there’s a green space with a dog waste bag dispenser right in front of the hotel, and it’s only 500 meters to the Mosel promenade.
Insider tip for Cochem: In good weather, the promenade is a slalom course around cyclists and tourists. Switch to the other side of the Mosel! There are more green strips, and your dogs can sniff around much more relaxed.
4 Highlights for a Vacation with a Dog at the Mosel
The next morning, we continued into the Mosel Valley, specifically to the Trier region. Here, four highlights awaited us:
- Germany’s only dog leisure park
- a wine hike with a dog, including a picnic above the Mosel
- a rustic, dog-friendly restaurant in the middle of the forest on a premium hiking trail
- sightseeing in Germany’s oldest and perhaps most dog-friendly city: Trier
Which Vacation Park with a Dog is the Best?
In the Mosel region, the choice is difficult because there are numerous vacation parks. I read countless reviews until I settled on a 4-person luxury vacation home in Landal Park Sonnenberg. For our travel report between Thalfang and Trier, it was optimally located. Additionally, the view over the Mosel Valley from the mountain is simply gigantic.
The vacation home was impeccably clean, with a new kitchen, new bed, and new bathroom. I would have moved in immediately. Especially since I simply like these green vacation resorts with a dog, where you can take a relaxed walk at any time of day or night. Here, several hiking trails add variety, and you could theoretically leave the car parked. But of course, we had other plans.
We met up with my friend Nina, who is from the region and was our guide for the next few days. Joining us: her Bull Terrier females Elsa and Batida.
Action in Thalfang: Germany’s Only Dog Leisure Park
Nina regularly books Germany’s only dog leisure park in the summer. Of the seven outdoor areas you can rent at Caniplace, she regularly chooses the area with the dog swimming pool.
On site, we naturally tried out all seven areas individually: off-leash area, swimming pool, agility course, course for puppies and small dogs, and other courses for dog sports and sensory perception. Elvis would say he liked the off-leash area with the stream the best. There, he could romp around with Elsa and jump into the stream in between.
Most dog owners see it the same way: 80 percent of visitors come to Caniplace because of this area.
My Personal Conclusion: Also Suitable for Anxious or Young Dogs
Especially for the body awareness of anxious or young dogs, I found the course for puppies and the sensory perception area great. For dogs with a hunting instinct that otherwise can’t run free, every course is suitable because the fences are correspondingly high. Of course, the natural area is number one here because it offers the most space.
It’s also nice that various dog sports like agility, treibball, or hoopers can be tried out. However, it is advisable to either have knowledge of the respective sport yourself or bring along an expert. Personally, I’m not a dog sports enthusiast. So, like Nina, I would book the dog swimming pool in the summer because Elvis loves to splash around.
Rustic Delight on the Premium Hiking Trail
After visiting Caniplace, we were hungry. Fortunately, Nina knew where to find a dog-friendly restaurant with regional specialties in a rural idyll near Thalfang.
She led us to Schillingen. The Spießbratenhalle is located directly on the Schillinger Panoramaweg. This is a 14.8-kilometer-long hiking trail on the edge of the forest. However, we skipped the hike and went straight to the rustic restaurant with the huge outdoor area.
Insider tip: The spit roast, swung over an open beechwood fire, is legendary and a must for gourmet travelers.
My Personal Highlight: Wine Hike with a Dog
Mosel without wine is like Elvis without plush: unthinkable. So let’s get to my personal highlight: the wine hike with a dog. It sounds stuffy, but it’s a very special experience.
My choice for this tour was a winery run by two young winemakers. Julia studied fashion design and Daniela business administration. You can imagine that the decision to take over the family-owned traditional winery was not easy. But because you don’t just give up a life’s work like the Alten winery, they delved into the topic of viticulture, learned to love it, and developed their own creative concept.
We booked the “wine picnic,” which they conduct in cooperation with Leani’s Café in Trier. The wine hike started at the Alten winery in Detzem, directly on the Mosel, and led up into the vineyards.
Wine Tasting, Specialties, and Panoramic View–Unforgettable!
In the middle of the vines stood a lovingly set table with flowers, regional delicacies like quiches, homemade spreads, fresh wraps, pancakes, and three wines, some of which the sisters had created themselves. Of course, the dogs were also considered. They immediately received bowls of fresh water.
The wine tasting, the delicious specialties, and the view over the Mosel panorama in bright sunshine–unforgettable!
We were so impressed with the overall concept that we not only bought wine but also signed up for the wine sponsorship. You get your own vine, a certificate, and always have a reason to return.
The Lüneburg Heath is perfect for a short trip with your dog
Dog vacation in Limburg in the Netherlands: “Lonely, but our dogs were happy
Trier–Germany’s Most Dog-Friendly City?
Throughout the trip, I kept noticing how relaxed life is in the Mosel region and how dog-friendly it is. That’s why I trusted Nina when she invited us on a city trip through Trier.
Normally, I avoid crowded city centers with a dog, but Trier is neither crowded nor a typical big city. The ancient Roman city offers a fascinating mix of monumental antiquity and vibrant city life. Important for the dogs: Even in the city, we kept passing through shady green spaces with plenty of opportunities for extensive sniffing. At the café and restaurant, every dog had its own bowl of water.
All Addresses and Highlights for a Vacation at the Mosel with a Dog at a Glance:
- Wellness & Hotel: Hotel Kessler-Meyer, Cochem. 4-star superior, absolutely dog-friendly, great spa area.
- Accommodation & View: Landal Park Sonnenberg, Leiwen. Modern vacation homes (detached) on the mountain plateau.
- Action & Training: Caniplace, Thalfang. Germany’s only dog leisure park.
- Gourmet & Wine: Alten Winery, Detzem. Wine hikes, vine sponsorships, and the exclusive “wine picnic” (approx. €150 for 2 people, fully set up including catering from Leani’s Café). Weingut-alten.com
- Dining Tip: Spießbratenhalle on the Schillinger Panoramaweg. Rustic, regional, and perfect for a break after the hike.
My Conclusion: The Mosel region around Trier surprised me. Here, “dog-friendliness” is not an empty promise but a lived reality. Whether it’s a wellness hotel, wine picnic, luxury house, or dog leisure park–we will definitely be back!