Rheinsteig

Understand

The Rheinsteig follows a mainly elevated path away from the riverbank, offering spectacular views of the Rhine and its many castles without the crowds typical of this popular tourist destination. The route ventures into the hills to the east, providing beautiful walks through natural woodland. The southern end begins in the relatively wide upper Rhine (Oberrhein) valley before moving into the hills of the Taunus. It then descends into the narrow Middle Rhine (Mittelrhein) gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before opening up again at the lower Rhine (Niederrhein) valley near Bonn. Numerous small stream tributaries make for a very up-and-down trail throughout. The path was opened on 8 September 2005, created as a joint project of the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse to promote tourism in the area. It has since been awarded a premium trail seal (Deutschen Wandersiegel Premiumweg) by the German hiking institute (Deutsches Wanderinstitut). Along the trail you will pass through beech and oak forests, meadows rich in wildflowers, and areas with fungi and mushrooms in season. Wildlife includes deer, lizards, slow worms, grass snakes, the rare Aesculapian snake, and many varieties of butterflies, beetles and birds. The route also passes through wine country, with ample opportunity to sample and purchase excellent local wines. No special hiking experience is required, but the trail is energetic: although the lowest point is 60 m (200 ft) and the highest is only 351 m (1,152 ft) above sea level, the cumulative elevation change over the full route totals 9,500 m (31,200 ft).

Prepare

Good walking shoes are highly recommended. A small pack of provisions and water is advisable, though as you generally pass through a village or tourist attraction every 10 km or so, there is no need for serious hiking supplies. The route is not suitable for baby carriages, wheelchairs, or luggage carts given the varied and sometimes rocky terrain. The Rheinsteig is exceptionally well-signposted, but understanding the color-coded system is vital for managing your energy. The main trail is marked by a white stylized "R" on a blue background. These markers keep you on the primary ridge-top path, maintaining elevation wherever possible. In contrast, yellow markers indicate "feeder" routes (Zuwege) that connect the main trail to villages, train stations, and boat docks in the valley below. It is a common mistake to underestimate these yellow-marked sections; because the main trail sits high above the river, a "short" 2-km feeder path to your hotel or the station often involves a grueling 200-meter descent or ascent. When planning your day, factor in these vertical transitions, as they can add significant time and strain to an otherwise moderate stage. A number of guidebooks cover the trail, mainly in German but at least one in English. A paper map (ISBN 978-3896373694) is also available, marking key points of interest, parking spots and rescue points. No permits are required to hike the trail.

Eat There are restaurants and taverns (Gaststätte) in the towns and villages along or near the route. In summer, a few wayside rest stops along the path sell drinks and light meals. Given the frequency of settlements, there is no need to carry a camping stove or prepare your own meals, though carrying some snacks between stops is sensible.

Drink Given the regular presence of villages, cafés and wayside stops along the route, you will generally be able to replenish water and buy drinks without carrying large quantities. In summer, be aware that portions of the walk are exposed to strong sun, so staying hydrated is important. Carrying a personal water supply between stops is nonetheless recommended.

Sleep Hotel and camping facilities are available on both sides of the Rh

Get in

The trail starts in Wiesbaden-Biebrich in the south and ends in Bonn in the north. For detailed transport information, see the articles on Wiesbaden and Bonn.

By plane The area can easily be reached from Cologne/Bonn, Hahn and 1 Frankfurt Airport (FRA IATA) airports.

By car From the east the A3 connects to the Rhine valley via the A66 at Wiesbaden. From the south take the A60 and then the A643 to Wiesbaden. Parking at the southern trailhead is available near Schloss Biebrich.

2 Parking am Schloss. Southern trailhead parking in Wiesbaden-Biebrich.

By train Excellent rail connections from outside the region serve Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Cologne, and Bonn. From these hubs, regional trains serve the trailheads directly: the RB10/RE9 (RheingauLinie) connects Frankfurt and Wiesbaden to the southern stages, while the RE8/RB27 links Cologne and Bonn to the northern sections.

3 Wiesbaden-Biebrich Rail Station. Served by the RB10 (RheingauLinie); it is a scenic 1.3 km walk through the palace park to the southern trailhead.

By bus 4 Bus stop Biebrich. Bus 14 "Biebrich Schloss" or 4 "Rheinufer" from Wiesbaden city and central station, Bus 9 from Mainz.

Walk

The walk does not need to be done in a single expedition. There are points at convenient distances, between 8 and 12 kilometres, where you can park a car allowing you to use the two car one direction hiking technique. There are also points where trains are available or even one of the Rhine cruise ships.

Rheingau and Taunus

The first stage of the walk begins on the outskirts of 1 Wiesbaden, in the riverside district of 2 Wiesbaden-Biebrich, where the baroque 1 Biebrich Palace makes a grand starting point — the palace grounds are free to walk through. From Biebrich the trail winds through the marina district of 3 Wiesbaden-Schierstein, where the 2 Schierstein Harbour is home to several yacht clubs and a handful of restaurants, before gently climbing through orchards and farming fields into the woodlands of the Rhein-Taunus nature park. The 1 Nürnberger Hof offers refreshment along the way. Near the village of 4 Wiesbaden-Frauenstein, the 3 Goethestein — an obelisk erected in 1932 to mark a visit by the poet — stands close to a wooden viewing tower 1 Aussichtsturm Frauenstein with good views over the Rhein-Taunus nature park and the Rheingau. Next, the trail passes 4 Frauenstein Castle, a medieval watchtower and battlements perched on a quartzite outcrop above the village. From Frauenstein the trail continues into the hills, descending eventually into 5 Schlangenbad, a quiet spa town known for its thermal springs.

The route then climbs back into the forest before emerging above the Rhine plain between 6 Rauenthal and 7 Eltville. The Rauschtal valley offers a convenient access point and the 2 Waldgaststätte Rausch tucked away at the valley's end. Above 8 Kiedrich, the ruined 5 Scharfenstein Castle looks out over the Rheingau vineyards below. The trail then descends into Kiedrich, a pretty village with a notable 6 Saint Valentine's Parish Church worth a pause.

From here the walk turns back towards the Rhine. Just outside Kiedrich, 7 Eberbach Abbey — a beautifully preserved former Cistercian monastery — sits in a secluded valley and is one of the highlights of the entire route. Above the abbey, the walled vineyard of 8 Domäne Steinberg is a striking sight, its

Stay safe

There are a few points with narrow path and steep drops but the route is basically a safe walk. Just keep an eye out for the odd crazy mountain biker. Places of population are never more than an hours walk away but if you need assistance take note of where you are relative to a rescue point (Rettungspunkt). These are places that are recognised by emergency services as accessible by motor vehicle; they are marked by a white cross on a green background and an individual identification code. There is a very small chance in the region to come across wild boar, in this rare event stay well away from them!

Go next

Rheinhöhenweg Trail Rheinburgenweg Trail on the left Rhine side