Rhine 11-day Walking Tour: Mainz - Koblenz

Arrival in Mainz

In Mainz carefully restored half-timber houses and opulent Baroque churches in the charming historic centre invite you for a walk. We highly recommend you also visit St. Martins Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum or the electoral palace and the Roman amphitheatre.

Mainz – Schlangenbad 4.5hrs 17km | +390m -190m

At the start of your holiday a boat ride on the Rhine awaits. The route leads from Biebrich Palace in Wiesbaden to the harbour in Schierstein. Continue onwards along the unspoilt Rhine riverbanks through a nature reserve and bird retreat area arriving at the historic wine village of Walluf. Continue through vineyards and remote woodland to the natural monument 'Grauer Stein‘ (grey stone). Via the Rheingau vineyards reaching the spa town of Schlangenbad in the Taunus-region.

Schlangenbad – Oestrich-Winkel 6hrs 24km | +510m -700m

The route leads along forest paths and across meadows to the castle ruin of Scharfenstein and through the vineyards to the impressive monastery complex of Eberbach. Take time to visit the renowned movie backdrop from the 12th century before you proceed into the picturesque wine village of Oestrich-Winkel. Enjoy a leisurely end to the day with a glass of wine or two!

Oestrich-Winkel – Rüdesheim 5hrs 17km | +370m -370m

You walk along the Riesling-path to the well-known vineyard estate Palace Vollrads. Light broadleaf woodland lines your way to the pilgrimage destination of Marienthal Monastery. Then through the Blaubach-valley and the neat vine area with extensive views you proceed to the famous St. Hildegard Abbey. You are welcomed by the ancient winter town of Rüdesheim, where the Romans grew wine, this little town is full of quaint wine taverns and historic half-timbered houses.

Rüdesheim – Lorch 5.5hrs 21km | +660m -680m

Today you tackle (by cable car) the mountain chains to the Middle Rhine Valley and enjoy a breathtakingly beautiful panorama and view onto the Nahe-estuary. Past the hunting lodge Niederwald you hike to Assmannshausen, renowned for its exquisite red wines and the stunning half-timbered houses. The day tour finishes at Lorch where the beautiful half-timber buildings are ready to be explored and discover their unique qualities. Once again do not miss the opportunity to sample some of the best wines in the region.

Lorch – Dörscheid/Kaub 4 to 4.5hrs 13km | +460m -460m

On diverse paths and along mountain chains with a fantastic panorama over the Rhine valley the route leads into the historic shipping town Kaub or via the mountain chains to Dörscheid. Castle ruins Nollig, Gutenfels castle and as a highlight the impressive toll-castle Pfalzgrafenstein, situated directly on an island on the Rhine, transform today’s tour into a true experience.

Dörscheid/Kaub – St. Goarshausen/Surroundings 6hrs 19km | +590m -620m

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 as well as the three-castle-view onto Katz castle, Maus castle and Rheinfels castle. A crowning finale to today’s tour before you reach St. Goarshausen.

St. Goarshausen/Surroundings – Kamp Bornhofen 6hrs 21km | +690m -700m

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. Liebenstein castle and Sterrenberg, the so-called‚ hostile brothers‘ accompany you along the way into the wine-growing parish.

Kamp-Bornhofen – Braubach 5.5hrs 17km | +620m -620m

Along the route to Braubach you come across Liebeneck castle, the Dinkelhold Mills and the impressive castle Marksburg. We highly recommend you take time to visit this complete extant castle. The wine-growing village of Braubach welcomes you with its town wall and numerous half-timbered buildings.

Braubach – Koblenz 5.5hrs 20km | +690m -680m

During the final stage again several highlights await: castles, nature reserves, woodland and the blooming Bienhorn-valley. The tour offers unbelievable views as well as an adventurous section through the Ruppertsklamm-ravine, a genuine highlight! You cross the Rhine via the impressive bridge 'Pfaffendorfer Brücke', before you finally end your week of hiking at the 'Deutsches Eck' in Koblenz.

Departure or extension