3
moderate

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 7 nights in comfortable 2-3 star hotels & guesthouses
Meals
  • 7 Breakfasts

8 Days£980GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: RGW

Trip highlights

  • Walking through the stunning Rhine Valley
  • Exploring ancient wine-growing villages
  • Experiencing the areas rich history through its impressive castles and towns
  • Discovering the charming town of Koblenz where the Rhine meets the Moselle River

Discover Germany's most popular region on the recently developed Rhine Trail (Rheinsteig). The Rhine Gorge stretches 65km along the river between Bingen and Koblenz in Germany and with its rich history, geological characteristics and unique culture it was understandably listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. The river has carved through the predominantly slate rock to produce dramatic cliffs up to 200m, the most famous of which is Loreley Rock. Dotted with castles, many of which were reduced to ruins during the Thirty Years War, and with the southern slopes covered by vineyards producing the famous riesling varietal, the region is as picturesque as it is fascinating. Walking through pretty wine villages with half timbered houses, ascending to the historic castles high above the river and arriving in Koblenz where the Rhine meets the Moselle are just some of the highlights of this week long walking holiday. In the evening stay in comfortable hotels specially chosen for their location and character.

Countries:

Germany

Starting Point:

Rüdesheim

Finishing Point:

Koblenz

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

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.

Meals:  Nil

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

Meals:  B

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

Meals:  B

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

Meals:  B

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

Meals:  B

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

Meals:  B

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

Meals:  B

Trip concludes after breakfast. If you would like to extend your stay in Koblenz, please ask for our rates.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 7 breakfasts - generally buffet style and usually consisting of cereals, breads, spreads, meats, cheeses, fruit, tea, coffee and juice
  • Digital information pack including smartphone app with maps and useful information
  • Luggage Transfer, no number of items restriction, but max. 20 kg per piece
  • Wine tasting in Lorch
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to Rüdesheim and from Koblenz
  • Meals not listed as included, drinks
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • Entrance fees, cable car and sightseeing fees and public transport used to shorten hikes
  • Excess luggage
  • Guide - this is a self guided tour
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Visitors tax - may be levied by hotels and payment is required locally
  • The optional cable car on day 2 - allow €10 pp
  • Items of a personal nature

Accommodation

2 & 3 star hotels

Comfortable 2 or 3 star hotels. These have been specially chosen for their location and character. Please note that a twin room is not always associated with having two beds. Quite often a twin bed has one or two mattresses on the same bed frame but with two separate duvets. Sometimes there might be two beds positioned together, but they cannot be separated because of constraints of the room. Some hotels will offer a swimming pool or sauna.

Trail Surface

Vineyard paths, walking trails & bridle paths

Vineyard paths, walking trails and old bridle paths ensure varied walking. Basic fitness and sure footedness is required for uphill/downhill sections on the mountain ridges of Middle-Rhine valley. Day 7 The gorge walk is challenging, with rock stairs with some parts of the trail 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.

Suitability

moderate

3

GRADE 3 - This trip involves 6 days walking along wine-grower paths, solitary walking paths and old bridle paths. Good fitness and sure footedness is required for uphill/downhill sections on the mountain ridges of the Middle-Rhine valley. There is a section on a gorge which requires sure footedness and a head for heights. Walking times of up to 6 hours and distances of up to 25.5km are to be involved. All stages can be completed or shortened using public transport.

Departure dates

Daily from 29 Mar to 12 Oct

Notes

M
Mid Season
H
High Season
DN1
High season is from 2 Jun to 10 Aug and 1 to 21 Sep, Mid season is from 28 Apr to 1 Jun and 11 to 31 Aug. Supplement applies to high and mid season departures.
Note:
Option to shorten trip to 5 days ending in St. Goarshausen - see trip code RG5. Option to lengthen trip to 11 days beginning in Mainz - supplement applies.

Priceper person from

£980GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Single supplementGBP£280
  • Solo traveller supplementGBP£300
*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews

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Personal Experience

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Our well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday.

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We have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility.