Rhine River and Castles Walk

Make your own way to Rüdesheim and your centrally located hotel. A wine growing area since Roman times, you'll find quaint wine taverns and historic half-timbered houses abound. Each summer a wine festival is held here (in mid August). It is also a music town, hosting Johannes Brahms on numerous occasions. There are several sites to visit, however you should not miss Drosselgasse, a laneway in the centre of the old town brimming with beautifully decorated restaurants. The cobblestone street is most alive during the summer when live bands play through the day and night in open-air garden taverns and wine bars. There are also interesting museums, abbeys, castles and wine taverns to visit.

The walk begins along the Rheinsteig trail with a long ascent to a hunting lodge. Alternatively this section can be by cable car (Seilbahn) to the Niederwald monument (optional) high up on the Middle-Rhine valley. From here you can enjoy the beautiful views of the Nahe estuary. As you make your way above the Rhine, pass by the wine-growing communities of Assmannshausen, best known for its red wine, a magical cave and the Niederwald Memorial, before arriving in Lorch, with its many half-timbered houses, typical of the region. Enjoy a complimentary wine tasting this afternoon at the Rössler winery (closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but will open with prior arrangement). Overnight Lorch. Walking: 21km/13mi, ascent/descent +660m/2165ft, -680m/2230ft

The walk today takes you along well maintained forest trails with panoramic views over the Rhine. You'll pass the ruins of Nollig castle and Gutenfels castle, and have great views of the impressive toll-castle Pfalzgrafenstein, located on an island on the river. This evening is spent in a small wine-grower town, either Kaub or Dörscheid. Walking: 13km/8mi, ascent/descent +460m/1509ft, -460m/1509ft

A more challenging yet immensely rewarding stage today with many narrow ascents and descents. One of the highlights is an ascent to the legendary Loreley Rock with its impressive viewing platform providing a superb panorama of the Rhine River. The last stage takes you to Dreiburgenblick where you have a fabulous view of Katz, Rheinsfels and Maus castles. From here it is a short descent to the town of St Goarshausen/surrounds in the Hasenbachtal Valley where you stay overnight. Walking: 19km/11.8mi, ascent/descent +590m/1935ft, -620m/2034ft

Another challenging day with steep trails along idyllic paths to wine-grower communities. Today you walk along unspoilt tracks, with fantastic scenery and past defiant castles whilst crossing the Filsener Lay, one of the most beautiful nature reserves of the region. The castles of Liebenstein and Sterrenberg are famous for the legends surrounding the two "hostile brothers“ from the 12th/13th century. You also pass by a historic mining area and a pilgrim monastery from the 13th century which is still run by the Friars Minor. Overnight Kamp Bornhofen. Walking: 21km/13mi, ascent/descent +690m/2264ft, -700m/2297ft

Along the route today you will come across Liebeneck castle, the Dinkelholder Mills and the impressive Marksburg castle. Guided tours take approx. 50min and we recommend taking time to visit. Your destination is Braubach, a walled wine-growing town with many half-timbered houses, medieval monuments and buildings that are preserved giving the old town a romantic charm. Walking: 17km/10.5mi, ascent/descent +620m/2034ft, -620m/2034ft

During the final stage several highlights await: castles, nature reserves, woodland and the Bienhorn valley. The tour offers long-distance views, amazing nature as well as an adventurous section through the Ruppertsklamm gorge, a genuine highlight! The gorge section is challenging, with rock stairs and some sections of the trail are secured with ropes. This will require a level of attention and if you are not comfortable on exposed trails you can easily skip this section following an alternative route. You cross the Rhine via the impressive bridge 'Pfaffendorfer Brücke‘, before ending your hiking in Koblenz, where the Moselle joins the Rhine. Overnight Koblenz. Walking: 20km/12.4mi, ascent/descent +690m/2264ft, -680m/2231ft