Rhein­steig hik­ing trail

The Rhine has cap­tiv­ated vis­it­ors, in­clud­ing many artists, for cen­tur­ies. Hikers who ex­plore the Rhein­steig trail will dis­cov­er why.

Known as the “Grand Canyon of Romanticism”, the Rheinsteig is where hikers can explore the Rhine Valley from Bonn to Wiesbaden along 320 kilometres of well-marked paths and forest trails.

Even the opening Bonn section in NRW is impressive, since the home of Beethoven is also the gateway to the Middle Rhine Valley, a breathtakingly beautiful natural and cultural landscape. The sweeping Rhine Valley alternates between cliffs, wooded slopes and vine-clad terraces. Here and there formidable castles appear in the distance and small medieval towns are also scattered along the banks of Germany’s largest river.

Visitors who hike the Siebengebirge section of the Rheinsteig will understand why this region was already captivating travellers, artists and writers two hundred years ago, prompting them to immortalise their impressions in poetry and paintings and make a decisive contribution to the movement known as “Rhine Romanticism”. Starting from Bonn, it is only a few kilometres up the Rhine before visitors have the chance to climb the legendary Drachenfels.

The perfect trail for fit hikers

The Rheinsteig route offers plenty of variety and some unusual experiences: hikers walk along the right bank of the river, often away from well-known trails, journeying through vineyards, narrow cliff paths and even ropeways to discover previously unknown views – even experienced hikers will encounter the odd challenge.

There is no need to worry about taking the wrong path on the Rheinsteig, though – 8,000 logo markers point walkers in the right direction and 450 signposts offer information on distances, transport services and places to eat.

The Rheinsteig has been certified as a premium trail by the Deutsches Wanderinstitut e.V. (German Institute of Hiking).