Round trips
Hiking trails in a class of their own between the Rhine and Nahe rivers
Hike in the footsteps of the past, discover the most beautiful castles, and enjoy panoramic views of the Middle Rhine. The loop trails in the Rhine-Nahe region guarantee unforgettable experiences and relaxation at the highest level.
Rhine-Nahe Loop
The Rhine-Nahe Loop: Two Rivers, Endless Views
The name lives up to its promise: The Rhine-Nahe Loop connects the highlights of two fascinating river landscapes. The route begins at the village square in Weiler near Bingen. Shortly after setting out, the first panoramic view awaits: Your gaze takes in Bingen and the mouth of the Nahe, the majestic Germania statue above Rüdesheim, and the legendary Binger Loch. It is precisely here that the Rhine breaks through the Rhenish Slate Mountains. For centuries, a massive quartzite reef in the riverbed at this spot provided thrills and made it one of the most dangerous shipping passages on the Rhine.
The first few kilometers offer plenty of variety. The trail leads past fields and meadows, winds its way up the Galgenberg, and comes within a few hundred meters of the charming wine village of Genheim. After that, the trail climbs steeply up to the Horetberg. At the rest area there, a fantastic view of Waldalgesheim and the Binger Forest rewards you for the climb. The route continues along narrow trails deep into the Binger Stadtwald with its old, shady trees.
Good to Know: The Premium Hiking Trail can be accessed flexibly via a roughly one-kilometer-long access path connected to two marked waypoints in the forest (North and South Trail Tangents). This makes the Rhine-Nahe Loop ideal for anyone who wants to break up the hike into relaxed stages.
The trail climbs over the Keßlersberg to a plateau that delights geology enthusiasts: The ancient Nahe River once flowed here, leaving behind distinctive river gravel. The historic field name “Auf dem König” already hints that this area is something special. Passing the well-known wine village of Münster-Sarmsheim, the journey takes an adventurous turn on a narrow path: You’ll cross stepping stones right through the waters of the Krebsbach. The trail then winds through the vineyards of Münster-Sarmsheim, which nestle picturesquely along the Nahe River. On the final kilometers, you’ll hike back to the starting point in Weiler, feeling completely relaxed and with new cherished memories to take home.
Bell passage
In the romantic Rhine side valley near Oberdiebach is the historical border between Electoral Palatinate and Electoral Mainz. Every evening, this border was marked with a bell. Today, hikers will find vineyard slopes on the tour, where Riesling has been cultivated for more than half a millennium.
Steel Mountain Loop
The trail leads steeply uphill toward Stahleck Castle and into the Steeger Valley. Please note the changed route due to the closure of the outer bailey of Stahleck Castle. As you walk past wildlife enclosures, the view sweeps over half-timbered buildings and vineyards. One of the first highlights is the old tunnels, which bats use as winter quarters.
The interior of the Stahlberg ruin invites you to take a break before heading back across meadows and fields towards the Rhine. The steep descent to the town of Bacharach is rewarded by a breathtaking view.
St. Oswald loop
The Saint Oswald Loop is an interesting and scenically varied circular trail in a picturesque side valley of the Middle Rhine. It leads across open spaces that offer a good view over vineyards and the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Short forest passages lead through mixed forests and invite you to linger. As an entry point, we recommend the hiking parking lot at Rheingoldstraße 1 in Manubach. The premium circular hiking trail is named after St. Oswald from Northumbria in present-day Great Britain. In Manubach, a detour to the late Romanesque parish church of St. Oswald is worthwhile. The church was founded in the 13th century.
