8 Days & 7 Nights

4.3

Castles of the Romantic Rhine

Walk along the Upper Rhine Valley, between historic castles on the Rheinsteig
Exploring romantic vineyard riverscapes on footpaths high above the river
The Loreley rock, made famous in song, at the narrowest point of the Rhine
Walking between picturesque villages and historic hilltop fortresses
Sipping a Riesling in a timber-framed tavern in Rüdesheim’s Drosselgasse

The picture-book Upper Middle Rhine Valley is perfect for walkers and wine lovers. Discover countless (more than 30!) hilltop castles and stately homes as you follow the Rheinsteig hiking trail along the eastern side of this UNESCO World Heritage region. Walk from Koblenz to the pretty wine village of Rüdesheim. Rewarding, undulating footpaths offer panoramic views, as you wander through vineyards, deep gorges and quiet woodland. Myths and legends abound here, such as the story of Loreley, the beautiful siren of the rocks. And of course, there’s the world-class wines, which you can sample as you drink in the rich cultural heritage of the romantic Rhineland.

From £695.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive in Koblenz

Your journey begins in beautiful Koblenz - a city set at the confluence of two rivers; the Mosel and Rhine. At the headland of Deutsches Eck you can note the difference in colour as the rivers meet, and admire the imposing equestrian monument of Emperor William I.

Koblenz welcomes you with several castles, historic townhouses and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress with its cable car that takes you high above the Rhine. Enjoy exploring the quaint old town with its many restaurants and wine bars.

Overnight Koblenz

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Brenner | Hotel

Hotel Brenner is a family-run, romantic retreat in the heart of Koblenz. Its central location provides easy access to the city’s top attractions, shopping, and dining. Each room combines romantic charm with modern comfort and high standards for a truly relaxing stay.

Diehl's Hotel | Hotel

Diehls Hotel in Koblenz is a family-run 4-star hotel located on the banks of the Rhine, offering historic charm and modern comfort. Many rooms feature balconies with panoramic views of the river and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Guests enjoy a restaurant with regional cuisine, a panorama sauna, and easy access to the city’s attractions.

Hotel Hohenstaufen | Hotel

Hotel Hohenstaufen in Koblenz offers modern comfort just steps from the Hauptbahnhof. Enjoy stylish rooms, a rich breakfast buffet, and warm hospitality. Explore the Rhine, Moselle, and historic Old Town, then unwind in the hotel’s restaurant and lounge.

Day 2 Walk to Braubach 12 miles / 20 km

The fortress is the perfect place to start your walk on the Rheinsteig, and this first day promises plenty of variety and even a touch of adventure! After a quiet start, the trail climbs to reach one of the most beautiful sections of the entire distance; the leafy ravine of the Ruppertsklamm, whose narrow path climbs 235m over 1.5km, secured with ropes. You should be a confident, sure-footed hiker for this section, however there is also an alternative route if you prefer. Passing Burg Lahneck you reach Braubach, known for the fabulous Marksburg Castle.

Ascent/Descent: 770m / 760m

Depending on availability, you may be accommodated two nights in the same village. You can get to/from the walks by bus, train or boat.

Overnight Braubach

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Zum Weißen Schwanen | Hotel

Hotel Zum Weißen Schwanen is a small family-run hotel situated in the village of Braubach, famous for the legendary Marksburg. The rooms have been furnished in an individual and traditional style. The hotel has two restaurants, which are famous for their hearty dishes.

Hotel Garni Maaß | Hotel

Hotel Garni Maaß is located in picturesque Braubach, close to the historic Marksburg and the romantic banks of the Rhine. It offers modern rooms as well as a small wellness area with a sauna and a lawn for relaxation. In the hotel’s own café and bakery Maaß, guests can enjoy a rich breakfast, homemade cakes and pastries, along with the garden and a cozy atmosphere.

Day 3 Walk to Kamp-Bornhofen 11 miles / 18 km

The Rheinsteig leads you alongside the walls of the remarkably well-preserved Marksburg Castle, a principal site of the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge. The castle is well worth a visit, taking you back to the Middle Ages as you stroll past eery dungeons and gun ramparts. Ahead lies the most famous of all of the Rhine’s loops, as you hike through the nature reserve of Filsener Ley en route to the traditional timber rafting and shipping community of Kamp-Bornhofen.

Ascent/Descent: 780m / 780m

Depending on availability, you may be accommodated two nights in the same village. You can get to/from the walks by bus, train or boat.

Overnight Kamp-Bornhofen

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Rheingraf | Hotel

Hotel Rheingraf is a charming, family-run hotel located on the Rhine-bank in historic Kamp-Bornhofen, in the heart of the UNESCO Upper Middle Rhine Valley. The hotel is housed in a 12th-century farmhouse with a half-timbered facade. Guests can relax on a romantic vine-covered terrace with Rhine views, enjoy regional wines (especially Riesling) and snacks, and explore the surrounding vineyards and castles.

Landhotel Becker | Hotel

Landhotel Becker is a charming family-run hotel located in Kamp-Bornhofen in the heart of the UNESCO Upper Middle Rhine Valley. It offers cozy, well-appointed rooms, a restaurant “Franziskanerstube” serving seasonal regional cuisine, a small wellness area and a tranquil garden or terrace with views over the Rhine and the Bornhofen monastery.

Hotel Pension Wagner | Hotel

At Hotel Wagner in Kamp-Bornhofen, enjoy relaxing after eventful days of hiking. Between the Rhine, castles, and vineyards, comfortable rooms and warm hospitality await you. The wellness area with sauna and whirlpool invites you to unwind, while regional cuisine and fine wines round off your stay in style.

Day 4 Walk to St.Goarshausen 14 miles / 23 km

You can look forward to a day full of highlights, starting right behind Kamp- Bornhofen with two castles—Sterrenberg and Liebenstein, only 150m apart and yet sworn enemies in days gone by! Continue on to pretty Maus (Mouse) Castle. Built between 1353-1388 it was one of the most modern fortresses of its time. Finally, you arrive at your overnight stop of St. Goarshausen with its small. attractive old town.

Ascent/Descent: 940m / 940m

Depending on availability, you may be accommodated two nights in the same village. You can get to/from the walks by bus, train or boat.

Overnight St. Goarshausen

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel & Restaurant Colonius | Hotel

The Hotel Colonius, nestled on the sunny side with a magnificent view of the Rhine and Rheinfels Castle, has been family-owned since 1867. In the inviting ambiance of the Rhein-Panorama Restaurant, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the castle and watch the ships glide along the river.

Nassauer Hof | Hotel

This family-run hotel is set in a historic 200-year-old building in Sankt Goarshausen. Guests enjoy a hearty German breakfast buffet at the Nassauer Hof to start the day. In the evenings, the on-site restaurant serves a variety of game and lamb specialties, and visitors can relax with a refreshing beer in the charming beer garden. The hotel’s central location also makes it an ideal base for exploring the scenic Rhine Valley.

Gasthaus Herrmanns-Mühle | Guest House

Hotel Café Herrmanns Mühle is a charming, family-run hotel in Sankt Goarshausen, idyllically located on the edge of the forest and just 800 meters from the Rhine. What began 200 years ago as a watermill now serves as a cozy guesthouse with a popular, homely atmosphere. In the evenings, guests can enjoy regional specialties in the hotel’s own bistro.

Day 5 Walk to Kaub 14 miles / 22 km

Today is the absolute pinnacle of the Rheinsteig; a unique section which perfectly symbolises the romantic Rhine. The paths are an absolute joy to follow, with views over the dream-like Upper Middle Rhine Valley. The absolute highlight is of course, the 132m-high Loreley slate rock. Take the time to immerse yourself in the myths and legends of this famous spot at the fascinating visitor centre. Once you arrive in the atmospheric wine village of Kaub with its beautiful half-timbered houses, you can enjoy the famous view of the Burg Pfalzgrafenstein before heading to your hotel.

Ascent/Descent: 810m / 770m

Depending on availability in Kaub, you may be accommodated in Lorch tonight. In this case, take the train to Lorch after your hike and return to Kaub the next morning.

Overnight Kaub

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Deutsches Haus

Hotel Deutsches Haus, with its warm and inviting ambience, is set in a charming, cozy building and has been lovingly run by the Kirdorf family for seven generations. Guests can enjoy comfortable rooms, personalized service, and a welcoming atmosphere that combines tradition with modern comfort. Its central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the local sights.

Hotel zum Turm

Step into history at Hotel Zum Turm, a family-run gem in a 13th-century building along the Rhine. Relax in elegantly appointed rooms, savor regional cuisine, and soak in enchanting river views. Discover the charm of Kaub, explore the Rhine Valley, and wander the scenic Rheinsteig trails just steps away.

Haus Berlin Kaub | Hotel

Haus Berlin in Kaub warmly welcomes you! This charming accommodation offers stunning river views and a spacious terrace where you can take in the breathtaking panorama of the surrounding mountains. Enjoy peaceful moments in an idyllic setting and let yourself be enchanted by the unique atmosphere of the Middle Rhine Valley.

Day 6 Walk to Lorch 9 miles / 14 km

Kaub is a pretty spot with its photogenic half-timbered houses. As today you've only 14km to walk, you have time to take a ferry from Kaub across the Rhine to visit Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, perched on a rock in the middle of the river. Later, you will discover a real curiosity; the ‘Free State Bottleneck’ (Freistaadt Flaschenhals), a short-lived quasi-state that existed from 1919-1923, due to the miscalculations of the French and American forces in dividing their occupied zones, following the Armistice of 1918.

Ascent/Descent: 540m / 520m

Depending on availability, you may be accommodated two nights in the same village. You can get to/from the walks by bus, train or boat.

Overnight Lorch

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel im Schulhaus | Hotel

Hotel Im Schulhaus provides guests from around the world a modern, comfortable hotel***Superior in the midst of beautiful countryside. The rooms are tastefully equipped. You can borrow books from the small library and there are self-service drinks in the basement around the clock. All in all this hotel combines modern and comfortable standard with warm and friendly hospitality.

Gästehaus Weingut Rößler | Guest House

Gästehaus Weingut Rößler in Lorch on the Rhine is a charming wine hotel. The Rößler couple warmly welcomes guests to their friendly wine tavern with comfortable rooms. At the estate’s own winery, guests can enjoy the house wines and regional specialties. The breakfast buffet is lovingly prepared, and the hosts are always happy to provide tips and recommendations.

Wohnen im ehemaligen Burghotel | Hotel

The former Burghotel in Lorch is now a small, personally run guesthouse. Guests stay in a Gründerzeit villa, built in 1895 in the style of Rhine Romanticism. All rooms are spacious and lovingly furnished with individual charm. In good weather, you can relax or enjoy your breakfast on the Rhine terrace or in the blooming garden.

Day 7 Walk to Rudesheim 14 miles / 22 km

Your Rheinsteig walk may be nearing its close, but of course the best is saved for last, with a multitude of wonderful wine experiences! Passing by the steep slopes of the Teufelskadrich (the devil’s residence), you reach the red wine region of Assmannshausen, before arriving at the Riesling-paradise of Rüdesheim. If you feel like taking it easy today, you can take the Aßmannshausen chairlift up to the hunting lodge of Niederwald, then enjoy a forest walk before taking the cable car down to Rüdesheim. Celebrate having walked one of Germany’s Top Trails, with a well-deserved glass or two of local wine in one of the taverns on the lively Drosselgasse; a cobbled street filled with wine bars, shops and restaurants.

Ascent/Descent: 720m / 700m

Depending on availability, you may be accommodated two nights in the same village. You can get to/from the walks by bus, train or boat.

Overnight Rüdesheim

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel zum Bären | Hotel

Hotel zum Bären in Rüdesheim – a charming retreat where romance meets Rhine Valley charm. Housed in a traditional half-timbered house, this Bavarian-style hotel is near the vineyards of the Rhine region. Enjoy cozy rooms, warm hospitality, and a central location perfect for exploring vineyards, historic streets, and scenic river views.

Hotel Trapp | Hotel

Hotel Trapp, a 3-star Superior hotel, is ideally located in the heart of Rüdesheim’s picturesque Old Town. Guests enjoy easy access to the town’s charming shops, wine taverns, and historic sites, all set in the stunning Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Comfortable rooms, and warm hospitality make it the perfect base for exploring the beauty and culture of the Rhine region.

Pension Post | Hotel

Welcome to this charming guesthouse in the historic wine town of Rüdesheim, perfectly situated along the Rhine promenade in the heart of the picturesque old town. Just steps from the entrance to the world-famous Drosselgasse, Pension Post offers its own wine and souvenir shop, inviting you to experience the region’s rich traditions and warm hospitality.

Day 8 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 16kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 16kg is equivalent to 6.5 packets of British butter. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

If you like the sound of walking, castles and wine, then this tour is the perfect fit for you; focusing on the very best sections of the Rheinsteig, in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Experienced hikers will love this rewarding, undulating trail past castles and riverscapes. The excellent train connections mean you can shorten the daily walks, if you’d like to spend a few more hours enjoying the excellent local wine!

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Wine

Long-Distance Trails

Accessible by Rail

Grade & Terrain

This walk is graded moderate and you should be an experienced hiker in good physical shape, to make the most of this tour. You’ll be walking up to 24km each day, with alternating steep ascents and descents. Some of the trail is on narrow, uneven paths, which require you to be sure-footed. Hiking poles are recommended as you will be climbing/descending on trails up to and down from the castles. However, a bonus is the excellent network of public transport along the Rhine, and many places have a train station (with regular services) which will allow you to shorten your day’s walk should you wish to take a break.

Experience & Fitness

You should have a good level of fitness and a sure foot to get the most from this trip. However, there are regular public transport options for shortening or skipping sections.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

7 Nights in hand-picked small hotels, guesthouses and country inns
7 Breakfasts
Daily door to door luggage transfers
Detailed route descriptions with maps and a comprehensive pre-departure information pack
24/7 telephone support from our German and UK offices

Excluded

Flights and travel to Koblenz and from Rüdesheim
Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
Travel Insurance
Taxi transfers or public transportation if you wish to shorten a walk
Return train from Kaub to Lorch am Rhein (approx. EUR3 each way, payable locally)
Any items not specifically mentioned in the programme

Extras

Additional nights during the tour

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all the necessary items, for example, proper rain gear, sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has detailed advice and a kit list on what to take. This includes good waterproof gear, walking shoes/boots, and lots of other useful bits and bobs.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.