Rheinsteig

A high path above the Rhine gorge, the Rheinsteig runs about 320 km along the right bank of the river from Bonn to Wiesbaden, staying on the slopes and cliff tops rather than the valley floor. It takes most walkers around fifteen to twenty days through one of Europe's most storied river landscapes.

The route overlooks the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage stretch famous for its castles, terraced vineyards and legends such as the Lorelei rock. The path climbs repeatedly onto the wooded heights of the Westerwald and Taunus, offering constant views down to the barges, medieval towns and hillside vines below.

It is a moderately strenuous walk, with frequent steep climbs and descents between the river and the plateau, and some narrow, rocky sections that make it more demanding than its modest total length suggests. Riverside towns like Koblenz and Rüdesheim, reached by short descents, provide plentiful hotels, guesthouses and wine taverns, and trains along the valley make section walking simple. No permit is required.

Opened in 2005, the Rheinsteig was designed to link the Rhine's castles and vineyards into a premium hiking route, part of Germany's revival of long-distance walking. The best season is April to October; spring and autumn bring mild weather and, in autumn, the grape harvest and vine colour, while the sheltered valley can be hot in midsummer. The steep, rocky sections are best avoided in ice or heavy rain.