recommended route
Stage 14
Rheinsteig Stage 14: Kestert - St. Goarshausen (North-South)
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Alpine Variante RabenacksteigPhoto: Dietmar Guth, Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Kestert - Oberkestert - Pulsbach Valley - Slate slag heap - Sachsenhäuser Feld plateau - Mining trail - Wellmich - Maus Castle - Nocherner Brünnchen hikers' car park - St. Goarshausen
Open
moderate
Distance 12.2 km
4:00 h
448 m
535 m
281 m
73 m
A tunnel deep underneath the Rhine? There's no such thing! But there was, at least until 15 September 1958. On that day, the 'Good Hope' mine above the St. Goarshausen district of Wellmich ceased its operations. Because the processing plant for the ores that had been mined there for centuries was on the left bank of the Rhine, the miners blasted a 136m deep tunnel under the river and laid some tracks for a train which took them to the other side. Today, an educational trail keeps the memory of the miners' alive.
Author’s recommendation
Wer es etwas sportlicher mag, trittischer und schwindelfrei ist, der sollte am Ende der Etappe den Rabenacksteig (Klettersteig) gehen.
Author
Frank Gallas
Update: February 08, 2022
Premium route awarded the "Deutsches Wandersiegel"
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
281 m
Lowest point
73 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
Health and safety- Wear suitable weatherproof clothing that will protect you from cold, wet, heat and sunshine.
- Make sure you take regular breaks and don't overexert yourself.
- Take enough fluids with you as there are sections without rest stops.
- Wear suitable hiking boots/shoes which give you enough grip on slippery, steep, rocky and uneven surfaces.
- Avoid any sections of the route which you feel are too difficult for you. Natural trails can quickly become wet and slippery in adverse weather conditions.
- Particularly in autumn, you should be careful of uneven ground, roots, stones or holes that have been covered by leaves.
- You need to take these kinds of adverse conditions into account every time you go on a hike.
- Particularly steep and dangerous places are made safer with handrails or ropes. Please use these as safety aids. Handrails are not to be climbed on or used to get a better view!
Tips and hints
www.rheinsteig.deStart
Kestert, Kestert junction (159 m)
Coordinates:
DD
50.186918, 7.653424
DMS
50°11'12.9"N 7°39'12.3"E
UTM
32U 403871 5560281
w3w
///confidently.tomorrows.dogs
Destination
St. Goarshausen, Hasenbach Valley
Turn-by-turn directions
If you want to look into the deep, you must first climb high – our first goal is Oberkestert, a settlement above the Rhine Valley. Once you reach it, the trail soon leads into the woods and takes a gentle path to the upper end of the Pulsbach gorge. The Rheinsteig trail avoids the gorge (although it is worth a detour) and keeps close to the steep slope above it instead. The narrow path is reminiscent of an Alpine trail and offers beautiful views of the Rhine Valley. The undulating path continues across to a small river, where you find the notice boards of the educational trail, which commemorates the centuries-long tradition of mining in the area. A spacious hikers' shelter on the Sachsenhäuser Feld plateau invites you to take a well-earned rest. Stay on the educational trail and continue on the winding paths through the forest down into the Wellmich river valley. Maus Castle, perching on the opposite slope, was given its popular name by the disdainful owners of nearby Katz Castle. Today, it is home to a falconry. Near the castle entrance a narrow path begins the steep ascent to the upper edge of the plateau. The trail continues along the plateau across open fields to the Nocherner Brünnchen hikers' car park and onwards on steep winding paths down to St. Goarshausen. Getting home: follow the footpath the short distance to the train station.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Sowohl Kester, wie auch St. Goarshausen sind über die regelmäßig verkehrende Regionalbahn angebunden. Vom Bahnhof aus führt der gelb markierte Zuweg zum Hauptweg.Getting there
By car: B42 to Kestert train stationFrom the train station follow the winding path through meadows to the Rheinsteig trail (10 minutes).
Parking
Kestert train station car parkCoordinates
DD
50.186918, 7.653424
DMS
50°11'12.9"N 7°39'12.3"E
UTM
32U 403871 5560281
w3w
///confidently.tomorrows.dogs
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
Literatur zum Rheinsteig ist erhältlich im Online-Shop des Rheinsteigs.
Author’s map recommendations
Rheinsteig-Wanderkarten sind erhältlich im Online-Shop des Rheinsteigs.
Equipment
Hiking boots/shoesSuitable weatherproof clothing
Status
Open
Reviews
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
12.2 km
Duration
4:00 h
Ascent
448 m
Descent
535 m
Highest point
281 m
Lowest point
73 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 4 Waypoints
- 4 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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Rating
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