recommended route
Stage 9
Rheinsteig Stage 9: Vallendar - Koblenz-Ehrenstein (North - South)
-
Blick aufs Deutsche EckPhoto: Henry Tornow, Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
Vallendar - Faculty of Theology, Forum V. Pallotti - Bischofsbour well and springs - Wambach Valley - Mallendar river valley - Urbar - Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
Open
easy
Distance 8.9 km
3:00 h
239 m
255 m
189 m
62 m
This stage of the trail brings us close to the Rhine once again and deep into German history. Koblenz's location on the Rhine and Moselle have always made it valuable and interesting in terms of military strategy. Therefore, Koblenz was, and still is, a garrison town. The Deutsche Eck (lit. German Corner) headland, the historical old town centre and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress on the right bank of the Rhine should not be missed during your visit to Koblenz. The village of Ehrenbreitstein enjoyed the protection of the fortress, but also suffered during its sieges.
Author’s recommendation
Die Festung Ehrenbreitstein ist mehr als sehenswert. Ein weiteres Highlight ist eine Fahrt mit der Seilbahn über den Rhein zum Deutschen Eck.
Author
Frank Gallas
Update: March 09, 2022
Premium route awarded the "Deutsches Wandersiegel"
Difficulty
easy
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
189 m
Lowest point
62 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
Vallendar, town hall square (78 m)
Coordinates:
DD
50.401491, 7.615950
DMS
50°24'05.4"N 7°36'57.4"E
UTM
32U 401639 5584187
w3w
///reapply.alas.shortage
Destination
Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
Turn-by-turn directions
We begin at Vallendar's town hall square, with its decorative rows of half-timbered houses. One of these is the oldest wine tavern in the town, 'Die Traube'; beside it, a glockenspiel plays well-known tunes. Following the signs, we walk along the slope between some gardens and past the Faculty of Theology to arrive at the entrance of the abbey gardens. At Schönstatt Abbey, founded in 1143, we make our way to the right in the direction of Wambach Valley. The River Wambach accompanies us on our way across a natural meadow to the Bischofsbour well and springs. According to legend, on this spot many years ago, after an unsuccessful hunt, a bishop uttered a curse so blasphemous that the earth opened and swallowed him up. A moment later, a bubbling spring appeared on the very same spot.
We soon cross the Wambach and follow the trail uphill past the open air swimming pool to a tennis complex. From there, the trail leads around the grounds of a vocational training organisation to the district road no. 83, which we then cross. It then follows a ravine down to the Mallendar river valley as far as Urbar. On the other side of the valley, we climb uphill again and follow the signs through a housing estate to a sports field and continue further south. On the Niederberger plateau the trail turns right into the 'Greiffenklaustraße' street, which we leave to our right on a narrow path at another sports field. Three trails, the Rheinsteig, the Rheinhöhenweg and the Rheinburgenweg share the path from here until they reach the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Bus/train to Vallendar train station
Getting there
By car: B42 to Vallendar train stationFrom Vallendar train station take the Rheinsteig path through the pedestrian zone to the town hall square (15 minutes).
Parking
Car park at Vallendar train station
Coordinates
DD
50.401491, 7.615950
DMS
50°24'05.4"N 7°36'57.4"E
UTM
32U 401639 5584187
w3w
///reapply.alas.shortage
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
www.rheintal-shop.de
Author’s map recommendations
Rheinsteig-Wanderkarten sind erhältlich im Online-Shop des Rheinsteigs
Equipment
Hiking boots/shoesSuitable weatherproof clothing
Status
Open
Reviews
Difficulty
easy
Distance
8.9 km
Duration
3:00 h
Ascent
239 m
Descent
255 m
Highest point
189 m
Lowest point
62 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
- 5 Waypoints
- 5 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
Would you like to the ask the author a question?
Rating
Photos from others