Many legends rank around the Rhine, uncountable castles and fortresses, quaint winegrower villages and fascinating scenic view points. Enjoy two of the most remarkable Rhine Walking routes. Nestled in idyllic vineyards of Rhinegau and impressive Middle-Rhine valley, which has been enlisted as UNESCO heritage. This impressive tour ends as stylish as it started - at Deutsches Eck in Koblenz
Highlights:
♦ Middle-Rhine valley - a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2002) with more than 40 castles and fortresses from the Middle Ages and many wine-villages
♦ Loreley-rock - a rock on the eastern bank of the Rhine river, which soars some 120 metres above the waterline
♦ Numerous medieval castles along the way
Itinerary:
Day 1. Rüdesheim
Individual arrival to Rüdesheim.
Day 2. Rüdesheim - Lorch
Today you climb the high ridges of Middle-Rhine valley (by cable car) and enjoy the beautiful views on the estuary of Nahe. Past the hunting lodge Niederwald you hike to Assmanshausen, renowned for its exquisite red wines and the stunning half-timbered houses. Overnight in Lorch.
Walking: approx. 4.5 hrs, 21km, uphill/downhil: 660 m/ 680 m
Day 3. Lorch - Dörscheid/Kaub
You will walk along diverse paths and along the mountain ranges with fantastic panoramic views across the Rhine valley until you get to the historical shipping port, Kaub or to Dörscheid. Today’s stage is a real experience with the Nollig castle ruin, castle Gutenfels and what is no doubt the day’s highlight – the imposing toll-castle Pfalzgrafenstein.
Walking: approx 4 hrs, 13 km, uphill/downhill: 460 m/460 m
Day 4. Dörscheid/Kaub - St. Goarshausen/surroundings
The heart of the Middle Rhine Valley awaits with serpentine-tracks, fabulous views and legendary castles. The best-known rock on the Rhine, the Loreley-Rock, is also part of your itinerary with the three-castle-view onto Katz castle, Maus castle and Rheinfels castle.
Walking: approx 6 hrs, 19 km, uphill/downhill: 590 m/620 m
Day 5. St. Goarshausen/surroundings - Kamp Bornhofen
Today you walk along unspoilt tracks, fantastic scenery and past defiant castles whilst crossing the Filsener Lay, one of the most beautiful nature reserves of the region. Fortress Liebenstein and fortress Sterrenberg are two „hostile brothers“ from the 12th/13th century.
Walking: approx 5.5 hrs, 21 km, uphill/downhill: 690 m/700 m
Day 6. Kamp Bornhofen - Braubach
Fortress Liebeneck, Dinkelholder mills and a completely conserved Marksburg fortress are your faithful companions on the stage to Braubach, a wine-grower town with fortification wall and many half-timbered houses.
Walking: approx 4.5 hrs, 17 km, uphill/downhill: 620 m/620 m
Day 7. Braubach - Koblenz
During the final stage again several highlights await: castles, nature reserves, woodland and the blooming Bienhorn-valley. You cross the Rhine via the impressive bridge ‚Pfaffendorfer Brücke‘. One highlight is Ruppertsklamm – a dramatic gorge and then the grand final: the Deutsches Eck (German Corner) in Koblenz, where river Moselle joins the waters of Rhine.
Walking: approx 5.5 hrs, 20 km, uphill/downhill: 690 m/680 m
Day 8. Departure
Tour ends after breakfast. Departure home or extension
Practical information: It is best to fly to Frankfurt. To Mainz or Rüdesheim you can get by train and a few walking minutes/short taxi ride to the hotel. Car parking: Most starting hotels have free limited hotel car parks, no reservation. In Rüdesheim public park house for approx. EUR 10 per day. You can return from Koblenz to starting point by train, duration 1 hr or by ship.
Recommended period of travelling: May - August