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Routes Germany Rheinsteig Complete Trail (North - South)
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Long-Distance Hiking recommended route Multi-stage route

Rheinsteig Complete Trail (North - South)

· 1 review · Long-Distance Hiking
Logo Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
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 Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Blick auf Kaub
    Blick auf Kaub
    Photo: Dominik Ketz, Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Reinhard Schleidweiler
on the September 07, 2020

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The Rheinsteig® trail runs on mostly narrow paths between Wiesbaden, Koblenz and Bonn along the right bank of the Rhine, passing forests, vineyards and spectacular views. Very well signposted and easy to get to, the trail invites you to take an ambitious long-distance hike or to break the trail up into shorter hikes – it is easy to reach by train, boat and car, and close to several airports. It is easy to join or leave the trail on the many marked paths which gives you great flexibility to plan the different stages of your hike.

difficult
Distance 311.7 km
97:35 h
9,952 m
9,934 m
365 m
47 m
The cultural landscape of the Rheinsteig® premium trail, which runs between Bonn, Koblenz and Wiesbaden, is incredibly beautiful. The breathtaking, varied 320km long ‘Top Trail’ winds its way on mostly narrow paths and challenging climbs over hills and through lush valleys. The trail offers a colourful mix of adventure and contemplation.

 

Author’s recommendation

Profile picture of Joachim Fox
Author
Joachim Fox
Update: July 12, 2023
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
365 m
Lowest point
47 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

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Safety information

Health and safety
  • Wear suitable weatherproof clothing that will protect you from cold, wet, heat and sunshine.
  • Make sure you take regular breaks and don't overexert yourself.
  • Take enough fluids with you as there are sections without rest stops.
  • Wear suitable hiking boots/shoes which give you enough grip on slippery, steep, rocky and uneven surfaces.
  • Avoid any sections of the route which you feel are too difficult for you. Natural trails can quickly become wet and slippery in adverse weather conditions.
  • Particularly in autumn, you should be careful of uneven ground, roots, stones or holes that have been covered by leaves.
  • You need to take these kinds of adverse conditions into account every time you go on a hike.
  • Particularly steep and dangerous places are made safer with handrails or ropes. Please use these as safety aids. Handrails are not to be climbed on or used to get a better view!

 

Tips and hints

www.rheinsteig.de

Start

Bonn, market square (57 m)
Coordinates:
DD
50.735318, 7.101927
DMS
50°44'07.1"N 7°06'06.9"E
UTM
32U 366061 5622109
w3w 
///massive.gasp.gift
Show on Map

Destination

Wiesbaden, Biebrich Castle

Turn-by-turn directions

The northern end of the Rheinsteig® trail begins in the market square in Bonn, in front of the old town hall. After crossing the Rhine, the trail winds its way through the Siebengebirge mountain range, the oldest nature reserve in Germany. The Drachenfels and Petersberg mountains are world famous. The varied paths of the Rheinsteig® trail meet the Rhine in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley and often follow the river along the slopes of the valley. There is no shortage of pretty villages, vineyards, beech woods and quiet valleys along this section of the trail. From the many peaks you can enjoy the great views of the lively Rhine Valley and the majestic calm of the Taunus and Westerwald mountain ranges to the east.

 

The UNESCO World Heritage site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley begins in Koblenz and includes Europe's highest density of castles on its route to Rüdesheim am Rhein. There are 40 castles in total, some completely preserved, others partially or completely rebuilt. From the Lorelei rock you can watch the ships on the Rhine. Climbing opportunities and breathtaking views characterise this area.

 

In the Rheingau district the hiker is greeted by a gentle landscape of hills and vineyards. There are many castles and abbeys to be seen, many serving world famous wines, which the hiker can enjoy during the day in the local pubs and wine taverns and in the evenings in the many restaurants and hiker-friendly accommodation establishments. The Rheinsteig® trail ends in Wiesbaden at Biebrich Castle, on the banks of the Rhine.

 

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

By road

Parking

Coordinates

DD
50.735318, 7.101927
DMS
50°44'07.1"N 7°06'06.9"E
UTM
32U 366061 5622109
w3w 
///massive.gasp.gift
Show on Map
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendation by the author

www.rheintal-shop.de

Author’s map recommendations

Rheinsteig-Wanderkarten sind im Rheintalshop erhältlich: www.rheintal-shop.de

Book recommendations for this region:

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Recommended maps for this region:

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Equipment

Hiking boots/shoes
Suitable weatherproof clothing
The most beautiful long-distance hikes in Germany
Hesse › Mayen-Koblenz › Bad Hönningen

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Rating

5.0
(1)
Profile picture of Jens Claussen
Jens Claussen
December 17, 2018 · Community
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Photos from others

Reviews
1
Difficulty
difficult
Distance
311.7 km
Duration
97:35 h
Ascent
9,952 m
Descent
9,934 m
Highest point
365 m
Lowest point
47 m
Public-transport-friendly Multi-stage route Scenic Cultural/historical interest Geological highlights Flora Fauna Linear route

Weather at the route's trailhead

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Maps and trails
  • 21 Stages
Long-Distance Hiking
Rheinsteig Stage 1: Bonn–Königswinter (north–south)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 1 Open
Distance 23.8 km
Duration 7:00 h
Ascent 663 m
Descent 550 m

On the trail of monks and state guests...

13
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking
Rheinsteig Stage 2: Königswinter–Bad Honnef (north–south)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 2 Open
Distance 14.1 km
Duration 4:25 h
Ascent 584 m
Descent 633 m

Vom Drachenfels zur Löwenburg

9
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking · Romantischer Rhein
Rheinsteig Stage 3: Bad Honnef–Linz (north–south)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 3 Open
Distance 18.5 km
Duration 6:00 h
Ascent 620 m
Descent 677 m

Fabulous Rhine views

5
from Joachim Fox,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking · Romantischer Rhein
Rheinsteig Stage 4: Linz–Bad Hönningen (north–south)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 4 Open
Distance 13.3 km
Duration 4:25 h
Ascent 509 m
Descent 473 m

With its mixture of woodland, meadows, vineyards, fields and little villages, this section of the Rheinsteig is rich in variety. There are a number ...

11
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking · Romantischer Rhein
Rheinsteig Stage 5: Bad Hönningen–Leutesdorf (north–south)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 5 Open
Distance 16.2 km
Duration 5:30 h
Ascent 636 m
Descent 568 m

Time travel to Romans and knights

9
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking · Romantischer Rhein
Rheinsteig Stage 6: Leutesdorf–Rengsdorf (north–south)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 6 Open
Distance 18.6 km
Duration 6:00 h
Ascent 604 m
Descent 459 m

The Westerwald is calling!

5
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking · Romantischer Rhein
Rheinsteig Stage 7: Rengsdorf–Sayn (north–south)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 7 Open
Distance 15.4 km
Duration 5:00 h
Ascent 248 m
Descent 486 m

Animal Encounters

1
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking · Romantischer Rhein
Rheinsteig Stage 8: Sayn - Vallendar (North - South)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 8 Open
Distance 13 km
Duration 4:00 h
Ascent 460 m
Descent 461 m

Back to the Rhine...

4
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking · Romantischer Rhein
Rheinsteig Stage 9: Vallendar - Koblenz-Ehrenstein (North - South)
recommended route Difficulty easy Stage 9 Open
Distance 9 km
Duration 3:00 h
Ascent 239 m
Descent 255 m

The fortress is calling!  

1
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking · Romantischer Rhein
Rheinsteig Stage 10: Koblenz-Ehrenstein - Lahnstein (North - South)
recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 10 Open
Distance 12.3 km
Duration 4:30 h
Ascent 407 m
Descent 404 m

              Detour to the Lahn  

5
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking · Romantischer Rhein
Rheinsteig Stage 11: Niederlahnstein - Braubach (north-south)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 11 Open
Distance 8.4 km
Duration 3:00 h
Ascent 361 m
Descent 358 m

From the Lahn to the Rhine

3
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking · Romantischer Rhein
Rheinsteig Stage 12: Braubach–Kamp-Bornhofen (north–south)
recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 12 Open
Distance 16.4 km
Duration 6:00 h
Ascent 793 m
Descent 634 m

Visiting the Knights

10
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking · Romantischer Rhein
Rheinsteig Stage 13: Kamp-Bornhofen–Kestert (north–south)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 13 Open
Distance 12.5 km
Duration 4:00 h
Ascent 406 m
Descent 441 m

Enemy brothers and wild ponies

8
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking · Romantischer Rhein
Rheinsteig Stage 14: Kestert - St. Goarshausen (North-South)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 14 Open
Distance 12.2 km
Duration 4:15 h
Ascent 433 m
Descent 548 m

Through gorges and climbs...

11
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking · Romantischer Rhein
Rheinsteig Stage 15: St. Goarshausen - Kaub (North - South)
recommended route Difficulty difficult Stage 15 Open
Distance 21.8 km
Duration 7:00 h
Ascent 817 m
Descent 804 m

In the realm of the Lorelei

8
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking · Romantischer Rhein
Rheinsteig Stage 16: Kaub - Lorch (North - South)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 16 Open
Distance 13.9 km
Duration 4:30 h
Ascent 488 m
Descent 507 m

Visiting the Free State of Flaschenhals

8
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking
Rheinsteig Stage 17: Lorch - Rüdesheim (North-South)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 17 Open
Distance 20.5 km
Duration 6:30 h
Ascent 702 m
Descent 487 m

Goodbye world heritage

5
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking
Rheinsteig Stage 18: Rüdesheim-Johannisberg (North-South)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 18 Open
Distance 15.3 km
Duration 4:10 h
Ascent 279 m
Descent 395 m

On Hildegard's footsteps...

5
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking
Rheinsteig Stage 19: Johannisberg–Kiedrich (north–south)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 19 Open
Distance 14.9 km
Duration 4:30 h
Ascent 342 m
Descent 361 m

Right through the Riesling paradise

2
from Frank Gallas,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking
Rheinsteig 20. Etappe Kiedrich - Schlangenbad (Nord-Süd)
recommended route Difficulty easy Stage 20 Open
Distance 9.7 km
Duration 3:00 h
Ascent 280 m
Descent 156 m

Wine & Forest

from Joachim Fox,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Long-Distance Hiking
Rheinsteig Stage 21: Schlangenbad-Wiesbaden (North-South)
recommended route Difficulty moderate Stage 21 Open
Distance 17.9 km
Duration 4:00 h
Ascent 180 m
Descent 397 m

Final on the Rhine...

2
from Joachim Fox,   Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Distance  km
Duration : h
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Excursions and leisure tips for the region

Routes Germany Rheinsteig Complete Trail (North - South)