"Saar-Pedal 2026"
On Sunday, May 17, 2026, the Saar Valley belongs entirely to active people: For the 30th time, the popular Saar-Pedal event invites everyone to enjoy car-free cycling. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the roads between the Rhineland-Palatinate town of Konz and the Saarland town of Merzig will be closed to motorized traffic – clear roads for cyclists, skaters, and hikers!
The symbolic starting signal will be given simultaneously in Konz at Maierspark and in Merzig's city park. The approximately 50-kilometer route follows the picturesque Saar River, combining exercise, nature, and social interaction. Those who don't wish to cycle the entire route can easily switch to the train. Special trains between Trier and Saarbrücken will carry bicycles free of charge – thanks to additional bicycle carriages.
One day – many highlights!
Saar-Pedal is more than just cycling. Along the route, 11 activity zones invite you to linger, participate, and enjoy. In Konz, Kanzem, Wiltingen, Schoden, Ockfen, Saarburg, Serrig, Serrig weir, Saarhölzbach, Mettlach, and Merzig, municipalities, clubs, winegrowers, and restaurateurs provide a diverse, family-friendly program.
Culinary delights await guests, ranging from traditional spit-roasted meats and roast pork to fish dishes and boiled potatoes with quark, as well as pizza, pea soup, crêpes, waffles, and lavish cake buffets. Numerous beer, wine, cider, and cocktail stands will provide refreshing drinks.
There is also plenty on offer musically: local music clubs, live bands and DJs create a good atmosphere in the activity zones and invite visitors to linger.
Children can also look forward to a diverse range of activities – including bouncy castles, tower spectacles, participatory circus, face painting, dance workshops, bicycle courses, creative activities and craft events.
New at Saar-Pedal is the bicycle blessing, which takes place at 12:00 noon in Maierspark in Konz.
Saar-Pedal visitors can find information at several new information stands: In Schoden, for example, the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park will be presenting the production of herbal salt, and ultra-cyclist Stefan Feilen will have a bicycle exhibition on site. In Saarburg, visitors can have their hand strength measured at the IKK Südwest booth and learn about the latest e-bikes from Mapfour.
Service is a top priority
Active breakdown assistance is available in Schoden, Serrig, Mettlach and Merzig; in addition, the cycling club “Frei Weg” Serrig is mobile between Konz and Saarhölzbach.
The police, DRK, fire brigades and THW work together to secure the route. There are also several accident assistance stations that are manned throughout the day.
Warm-up on the eve: Kick-off in Merzig – and for the first time also in Konz
The Saar-Pedal weekend kicks off on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The evening before, two events will set the mood for the car-free adventure day and officially open the open-air cycling season along the Saar River.
The Merzig city park traditionally hosts a lively opening event. Visitors can expect a relaxed atmosphere and a musical evening with the bands Simply Unplugged and Cosmic Companions.
New this year is the additional kick-off event in Konz at Maierspark: For the first time, Station K is organizing its own warm-up event. Saar-Pedal fans can look forward to a party with the band Trezzmen.
With the two events in Merzig and Konz, Saar-Pedal can already be experienced on the evening before and makes you want to be in the saddle the next day.
To mark the 30th anniversary, new Saar-Pedal merchandise is available this year: A multifunctional towel and socks as well as Pustefix soap bubbles in the Saar-Pedal design are now available in the tourist information offices.
In addition, the new cargo bike of Saar-Obermosel-Touristik will be used for the first time, serving as a mobile tourist information center along the route and providing guests directly on site with information, tips and the new Saar-Pedal fan merchandise.
Flyers & information
The detailed program and timetable can be found in the Saar-Pedal flyer – available at the tourist information offices in Konz, Saarstr. 1, (06501-6018040), in Saarburg, Graf-Siegfried-Str. 32, (06581-995980), in Mettlach, Cloef-Atrium, (06865-91151009) and Merzig, Brauerstr. 5, (06861-85330) or simply online at www.saar-obermosel.de/radfahren/saar-pedal as well as on Facebook and Instagram under @saarpedal.
A joint project with tailwind
Saar-Pedal thrives on strong collaboration. Main sponsor Bitburger has supported the event for over ten years. Other long-standing partners include Volksbank Trier eG and SaarRiesling e.V. Several new sponsors have joined this year.
The event is organized by the municipalities of Konz and Saarburg-Kell (Rhineland-Palatinate), as well as Mettlach and Merzig (Saarland). Saar-Obermosel Tourism is responsible for coordination, with the active support of numerous volunteers who make this day possible every year.