Castles of the Romantic Rhine

You should be an experienced hiker in good physical shape, to make the most of this tour. However, there are regular public transport options for shortening or skipping sections.

This tour is graded Moderate. Within the tour, individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

Accommodation is in carefully chosen, family-run properties: a mix of comfortable small hotels, traditional guesthouses and country inns, many in or near wine-growing areas or associated with a local Weinstube (wine bar). Properties are subject to availability and can be in high demand in peak season, so if your usual accommodation isn't available, you'll be booked into somewhere of the same standard or better.

Please note that twin and double rooms in Germany (Doppelzimmer) are typically two single mattresses placed side by side in one bed frame, each with its own separate duvet and pillows.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

Breakfast is included every day. Packed lunches can be ordered from your accommodation the night before, or you can stop along the way, where you'll find plenty of beer gardens and kiosks to keep you fed and watered. Dinner isn't included, but is available at your accommodation or nearby.

This tour is available to start any day of the week between mid-March and mid-November. The weather in the Rhine area is changeable, with hot days often followed by rain and thunderstorms, so it's worth checking the local forecast each day before setting out.

If you're considering traveling during the 'Rhine in Flames' festival, be aware that accommodation is normally very hard to secure unless booked well in advance, and hotels may charge a premium during this period. At the very start and end of the season (mid-March to mid-April, and mid-October to mid-November), travel is available with a supplement, so get in touch if these dates interest you.

Note that rail line renovation work on one bank of the Rhine means replacement bus services are sometimes in place - we'll let you know if this affects your tour.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

The Rheinsteig is comprehensively waymarked along the whole trail, and is recognized as one of the 'Top Trails of Germany.' You'll also be supplied with a detailed map and route notes to help you find your way.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

By air

There are several airports close to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Frankfurt Airport is 1 hour 15 minutes by direct train to Koblenz. You could also fly into the smaller Frankfurt Hahn Airport, which is 1 hour 10 minutes by bus to Koblenz. Dusseldorf Airport is 1 hour 10 minutes by direct train to Koblenz, and Cologne Bonn Airport (Koln-Bonn) is 1 hour 25 minutes by direct train from Koblenz. Visit the Deutsche Bahn website for timetables and tickets.

By rail

Koblenz Hauptbahnhof has excellent connections to trains throughout Germany and further into Europe. Visit the Deutsche Bahn website for more information.

By road

Please let us know if you're planning to arrive in Koblenz by car, so that we can inform your first hotel and check on parking availability. Note that there can be a charge for parking your car at the first hotel for the duration of your walk, so it's worth checking this in advance.

Getting from the end

In Rudesheim there's a train station with many connections to other stations in Germany. Train journeys to nearby airports are approximately: Frankfurt Airport 1 hour 20 minutes (change at Mainz-Kastel), Frankfurt Hahn Airport 2 hours 20 minutes (train via Mainz to Wiesbaden, then bus to the airport), Dusseldorf Airport 3 hours (change in Koblenz), and Cologne-Bonn Airport 2 hours 10 minutes (change at Frankfurt). Again, see the Deutsche Bahn website for detailed timetable information and tickets.

You'll need good hiking shoes or boots, comfortable hiking clothes, waterproofs, a daypack, and we recommend hiking poles. A portable charger for your cell phone is essential. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

On certain days you can shorten the route or skip it entirely by using a taxi or public transport.

There are train stations all along this route, so it's easy to hop on a train to shorten your day if you'd prefer (fares are payable locally). Your accommodation can help with arrangements, or you can reach out to our team for assistance.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation