The Rheinsteig - A portrait

The Rheinsteig - a portrait

Nature, culture and challenging hiking

Walk one of the most beautiful paths in Germany, along the first river among rivers - Father Rhine.

The RheinSteig is a 320 km trail along the right bank of the Rhine connecting Bonn, Koblenz and Wiesbaden, mainly on narrow paths with steep climbs and descents through forests and vineyards to spectacular views. Meticulously signposted and closely cross-linked, the route is suitable for ambitious long-distance hikes or highly varied shorter walks, easily accessible by rail, boat or car. Yellow-marked access routes guide hikers safely to the blue-marked main trail and then back into towns and villages again, making it easy to plan out the route in stages.

Quiet forests, steep narrow paths and craggy cliffs

The Rheinsteig in autumn around Filsen | © Dominik Ketz The RheinSteig makes for memorable experiences among nature. Narrow paths on springy forest floors lead through the shady valleys and quiet woods of the Siebengebirge, past craggy cliffs in the Middle Rhine Valley and wind through vineyards in the Rheingau. As they crest the many summits they reveal spectacular views of the busy Rhine Valley and the gently hilly landscape of the Eifel, Taunus, Hunsrück and Westerwald uplands that lie nearby.

Palaces, castles and world heritage

Sayn Castle | © Henry Tornow The RheinSteig offers surely the most beautiful mode of access to the cultural riches of the Rhine Valley. Mediaeval cultural history, Rhine Romanticism and landscapes steeped in the past can here be found in close proximity. There are 40 castles, palaces and fortifications in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley between Bingen and Koblenz alone. This density is unique in the world and the area was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2002. The Limes near Bendorf-Sayn and Bad Hönningen has also been a World Heritage Site since July 2005.

Wine-making, good company and delicious food and drink

Splendid view into the viticulture location 'Bopparder Hamm' | © Dominik Ketz A favourable climate, suitable soil and sunny slopes have given the wines of the Rhine their success. The origins of wine-growing on the laboriously constructed terraces can be traced back to the Romans. The RheinSteig passes through two areas with strong wine-growing traditions: the Middle Rhine and the Rheingau. There is much for the hiker to enjoy here: daytime stops at the inns and seasonal wine taverns and evenings in restaurants and hiker-friendly pubs.