Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Email: [email protected]

Castles of the – 5 nights From Bingen to

https://www.onfootholidays.co.uk/routes/castles-of-the-rhine/castles-of-the-rhine-5-nights/

Route Summary

At a glance

5 nights (4 walking days) - missing the second St Goar night (but still offering the opportunity to walk from Oberwesel and see the Loreley from the opposite bank) and historic Koblenz - finish in Rhens.

How much walking?

Full days: 18-21km per day, 5-6¾ hrs walking Using shortening options: 7-12km per day, 2-3½ hrs (using buses/trains/boats to reduce walking)

Max. Grade:

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The is unique. Its 20 castles, perched high above the river, some visitable, bear witness to a crucial role in the history of Europe, and to its iconic “Romantic” status for painters, poets and composers.

Route Highlights

● The spectacular Rhine Gorge ● 20 castles high above the river ● , the Loreley, St Goar and Roman ● and beer gardens

We Recommend

Grading

Full days: 18-21km per day, 5-6¾ hrs walking Using shortening options: 7-12km per day, 2-3½ hrs (using buses/trains/boats to reduce walking) Excellent,well-marked and well-surfaced paths and good signage. Tough climbs away from the river but short (typically 100m - 150m ascent). Highest point on route: 470m.

Medium-hard: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs)580m (450m-830m) per day.

Easy-medium: CUSs 270m (200m-350m) per day using shortening options (available each day)

Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.

page 2/8 When to go

The best months to walk: May, June, July, September, October

Other possible months: April, August, November

This is a route that can be walked from April through to the beginning of November, though accommodation can be difficult to secure during certain festival weeks in September. The heat of the summer is kept at bay on many days by woodland, though if you do walk in high summer take lots of protection against the sun, else will you ripen as the grapes. Best time to walk - May (except for Ascension), June and late September/early October - for spring flowers and fragrant later in the autumn.

Please note: date ranges shown are for a 'normal' year. While Covid-19 restrictions remain, please contact us to discuss your plans and availability.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Bingen

Arrive at your first accommodation in Bingen, preferably while the cake shop below the hotel is still open. We recommend the "Gaggianer" pub by the basilica for your first German meal, and the Riesling or beer that are likely to accompany your meals throughout your walk.

Day 2 - Niederheimbach to Kaub

After a short train ride along the Rhine, head up through the vineyards, for an open day on the west side of the river. Today's highlight is the riverside town of Bacharach, one of the most beautiful, and with a splendid beer garden for a late lunch. Beware though of the climb back out through the watchtower - the steepest 100m ascent on the route, but with the best views too. Cross the Rhine at the end of the day to little Kaub, and Edgar and Willi Kirdoff's bustling restaurant-with-rooms. (Medium-hard: 16½km, 4½ hrs, CUSs 620m). Shorter alternative - walk to Bacharach then take the boat to Kaub (Easy-medium: 2½hrs, 12km, CUSs 350m)

Day 3 - Kaub/Oberwesel to St. Goar

Recross to Oberwesel and walk to St Goar past TV’s Günderodehaus, through fields opposite the Loreley for the best views of the fabled rock. (Easy-medium: 3½ hrs, 10km, CUSs 280m). Extend the walk past massive Burg Rheinfels, a ruin that does not bely its complex military history and on to pretty Hirzenach via some wonderful and surprising vistas high above the river (Medium-hard: 6¾ hrs, 21km, CUSs 480m Oberwesel-Hirzenach).

Day 4 - St Goar to Kamp-Bornhofen

After a short walk to riverside Filsen, cross the river to Roman Boppard, the largest of the gorge towns, for an early lunch and a ramble round the old streets and Roman fort, before climbing away from the river (you can use the chair lift instead!) and over the top via 4-Seen-Blick (the Rhine seems like four separate lakes from this point) and down to pretty Rhens, and your overnight stay in an old inn, complete with beer terrace, smiling waitresses and excellent kitchen (your host Werner is the chef). (Medium: 6½ hrs, 19km, CUSs 450m). Alternative - walk as far as Filsen/Boppard for a leisurely lunch, then train to Rhens. (Easy: 2 hrs, 7km, CUS 200m)

page 3/8 Day 5 - Kamp-Bornhofen to Rhens

For an easy day, take the train to Oberwesel and walk back to St Goar past TV's Günderodehaus, through fields opposite the Loreley for the best views of the fabled rock. (Easy-medium: 3½ hrs, 10km, CUSs 280m). Extend the walk past massive Burg Rheinfels, a ruin that does not bely its complex military history and on to pretty Hirzenach via some wonderful and surprising vistas high above the river (Medium-hard: 6¾ hrs, 21km, CUSs 480m Oberwesel-Hirzenach).

Travel Information

ARRIVING BY AIR

Two airports serve the route – Frankfurt International (best – an hour by train to start and from finish – and best for intercontinental arrivals) and Cologne . Frankfurt Hahn is not recommended as it is nowhere near Frankfurt.

Land by: Frankfurt International 18:00, Cologne Bonn 16:00 for public transport connections to first hotel.

Return flight earliest: 12:00 (14:00 on Sunday) both airports for connections from Koblenz.

Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.

For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.

See “Getting to the start of the walk” below for transfer information.

ARRIVING BY TRAIN

Nearest railway station:

Start: Bingen (or Kaub for shorter option) Finish: Koblenz

Sample journey by rail:

Via Frankfurt: Direct to Bingen Stadt ~1 hr.

Koblenz or Rhens to Frankfurt: ~2 hrs.

We suggest thetrainline.com for times, ticket booking and other information.

ARRIVING BY CAR

page 4/8 Best is to drive to Koblenz, leave your car in the car park adjacent to our hotel there (pre-book, supplement payable locally) and take a train back to your first night. Alternatives are to drive to Bingen (leave your car in a public car park, supplement payable locally, train back at end) or to Rhens (leave your car on street, train back to the start of the route).

Getting to the start of the walk

The first hotel is normally in Bingen (Kaub for shorter versions), and the last in Koblenz (Rhens for shorter versions). Transfer times and methods are suggested for the two nearest airports below. For train arrival transfers see below.

FRANKFURT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:

Outward: By train with 1 change, ~1 hr Return: By train (direct), ~1¼ hrs

COLOGNE-BONN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:

Outward: By train with 1-2 changes, 2-3 hrs Return: By train (0-1 changes), ~1½ hrs

Transfers from train stations:

Outward: Local taxi or 10 minutes walk to first hotel Return: 5-7 minutes walk to Koblenz or Rhens stations

Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.

IF DRIVING TO THE ROUTE …

Either drive to Rhens (leave your car on street, train back to the start of the route), or to Bingen (leave your car in a public car park, supplement payable locally, train back at end of your holiday).

Where You'll Stay

The accommodation across the route is very friendly and often aimed at walkers. Do consider an upgrade room at our captive in St Goar and/or a room with a view at Burg Liebenstein just outside of Kamp-Bornhofen.

page 5/8 Night 1 Bingen – Cafe Köppel (B&B)

Simple ensuite rooms above a noted cake shop.

Night 2 Kaub – Hotel Deutsches Haus (B&B)

A friendly village restaurant with basic rooms above. Near railway.

Night 3 St Goar – Schloss Rheinfels (B&B)

Imposing castle above St Goar with classy accommodation and restaurant with fine river views. German twin beds (large single base with two mattresses).

Night 4 Kamp-Bornhofen – Hotel Becker (B&B)

Charming, well-furnished hotel with good restaurant and wine-tasting opportunities.

page 6/8 Night 4(Upgrade) Kamp-Bornhofen – Burghotel Liebenstein (dinner, B&B)

Small medieval castle perched high above Rhine, now a small hotel complete with oak panelling, wrought iron sconces and fabulous river views which win out over the sometimes questionable culinary experience (dinner obligatory).

Night 5 Rhens – Hotel Roter Ochse (B&B)

Splendid old hotel with young management and a good kitchen.

Prices

Price: £705

Total 5 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, 2 picnics, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.

All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.

Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £160 Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £160 Large Party Saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary, on the same booking and booked at the same time) – discount of at least £25 per person Maximum party size: 16

page 7/8 Add Ons

Upgrade room at Schloss Rheinfels in St Goar and/or upgrade to Burg Liebenstein in Kamp-Bornhofen (includes evening meal): Varies with season and room type - contact On Foot. Extra nights in any hotel: Contact On Foot Holidays Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK: £10-£40 (per pack, location dependent)

On Foot Holidays Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Griffin House, Malthouse Lane, Email: [email protected] Salisbury, SP2 7RF, United Kingdom

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