RheinBurgenWeg Stage 10: St. Goar–Oberwesel (north–south)

Climbing adventure on the Rhine!

The 10th section of the RheinBurgenWeg begins in the centre of St. Goar. Follow the short path from the station high up into the Lohbach Valley where you come to the main RheinBurgenWeg route. The first ascent through the wild and romantic valley is very steep. Once you've arrived high up on the Rhine plateau, it's only a short distance to the extended stop-off at the Kretschhütte lodge. The RheinBurgenWeg continues along the slope to yet another great view and, from here, you can even see the Loreley figure below on the breakwater in the Rhine clearly. Continuing along the edge of the slope, you first cross the Seelenbach Valley and then the Galgenbach Valley, where you ignore the path signposted "An der Loreley" down towards the B9 on your left and, instead, continue uphill towards Urbar. The Maria Ruh viewpoint probably affords the best view of the Loreley rock opposite and numerous benches, a swing bench and a pavilion encourage you to take a breather and linger awhile. The next section passes along beautiful meadow and field tracks between hedges and through trees. A decision is called for at the spacious Beulsberg lodge on the edge of the vineyards: Oelsbergsteig or Sculpture Trail? The main route leads over the Oelsbergsteig, a very narrow path through the middle of the steep slope. You need to be sure-footed and have a good head for heights here as the trail involves some sections of climbing through rocky terrain with ladders and rungs. A rocky cliff provides a rest area and an opportunity to catch your breath before, past the fork to the elevated Günderode House near the level crossing, you finally reach the first houses of Oberwesel. If you wish to avoid the via ferrata and would prefer to bypass it, follow instead the more or less flat Sculpture Trail directly to the Günderode House at what is known as the "Seven Virgins'" (Siebenjungfrauenblick ) viewpoint. The house used in the filming of the "Heimat 3" series is a great place to stop off for refreshments in a magnificent location high above the River Rhine and affords spectacular panoramic views of Oberwesel. From there, it is only a short hike to today's destination of Oberwesel with its partially walkable town ramparts.