recommended route
Stage 12
Rheinsteig Stage 12: Lahnstein - Koblenz-Ehrenbreitstein (South - North)
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/ RuppertsklammPhoto: Henry Tornow, Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH -
/ RuppertsklammPhoto: Henry Tornow, Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
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/ RuppertsklammPhoto: Henry Tornow, Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
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/ RuppertsklammPhoto: Henry Tornow, Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH
A wild, romantic gorge and thick beech woods:
Lahnstein - Ruppertsklamm gorge - Lichterkopf hill - Dornswiese - Wachecker Kopf hill - Bienhorn Valley - Koblenz-Pfaffendorf - Koblenz-Ehrenbreitstein
Lahnstein - Ruppertsklamm gorge - Lichterkopf hill - Dornswiese - Wachecker Kopf hill - Bienhorn Valley - Koblenz-Pfaffendorf - Koblenz-Ehrenbreitstein
difficult
Distance 12.8 km
4:30 h
463 m
466 m
321 m
60 m
Romantic valleys and sunny hills
Lahnstein lies аt thе meeting point οf thе rivers Lahn аnd Rhine. More than half of its area is wooded. The village belongs to the Nassau Nature Park, one of Germany's most beautiful nature reserves. A sturdy gate with a door marks the beginning of the wild and romantic Ruppertsklamm gorge, the highlight of the hike right at the beginning of the stage. The gorge was formed by a small river which has carved out a deep canyon into the Devonian shale formation.
Lahnstein lies аt thе meeting point οf thе rivers Lahn аnd Rhine. More than half of its area is wooded. The village belongs to the Nassau Nature Park, one of Germany's most beautiful nature reserves. A sturdy gate with a door marks the beginning of the wild and romantic Ruppertsklamm gorge, the highlight of the hike right at the beginning of the stage. The gorge was formed by a small river which has carved out a deep canyon into the Devonian shale formation.
Premium route awarded the "Deutsches Wandersiegel"
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
Lichterkopf, 321 m
Lowest point
Koblenz-Pfaffendorf, 60 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Safety 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
Lahnstein, Lahn Valley cycle path (65 m)
Coordinates:
DD
50.315537, 7.627516
DMS
50°18'55.9"N 7°37'39.1"E
UTM
32U 402284 5574615
w3w
Destination
Koblenz-Ehrenbreitstein, Hofstraße
Turn-by-turn directions
Steep rocks line the beginning of the path. Fixed steep ropes help you handle the more difficult parts of the route. Above the gorge, the Rheinsteig trail leads on a level forest path back towards the Rhine Valley and offers a magnificent view of the abbey church on the Allerheiligenberg, Lahneck Castle, Stolzenfels Castle and the Lahn. The trail soon ascends into the forest and then begins a gentle descent to the 320m high Lichterkopf hill, with its wooden viewing tower. From here, you look down on the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. A path leads across the Dornwiese meadow among beech trees to the Alter Heerstraße street, which we cross in order to get through the forest to the meadow on the Wachecker Kopf hill. At the other end of the meadow, the trail turns left into the forest again and follows a ravine gently uphill to the river valley of the Bienhornbach. Grapes were grown in this idyllic valley until 1950 and the terraces of the former vineyards are still clearly visible. The Devonian shale rock walls are a treasure trove for fossil collectors. At the other end of the valley, we reach Koblenz-Pfaffendorf – follow the Rhine downstream to the Pfaffendorf bridge and pass the port to the riverside walk at Koblenz-Ehrenbreitstein. This part of the trail also has information about the different types of ships used on the Rhine and how people have lived and worked by the river for centuries.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
B42 to Niederlahnstein train station. From the station, walk along the Rhine and the Lahn to the Ruppertsklamm gorge (60 minutes).Getting there
B42 to Niederlahnstein train station. From the station, walk along the Rhine and the Lahn to the Ruppertsklamm gorge (60 minutes).Parking
Car park at Niederlahnstein train stationCoordinates
DD
50.315537, 7.627516
DMS
50°18'55.9"N 7°37'39.1"E
UTM
32U 402284 5574615
w3w
///glosses.remarked.basher
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Book recommendation by the author
www.rheintal-shop.de
Author’s map recommendations
Rheinsteig-Wanderkarten sind im Rheintalshop erhältlich: www.rheintal-shop.de
Equipment
Hiking boots/shoesSuitable weatherproof clothing
Basic Equipment for Long-Distance Hikes
- Sturdy, comfortable and waterproof hiking boots or approach shoes
- Layered, moisture wicking clothing
- Hiking socks
- Rucksack (with rain cover)
- Protection against sun, rain and wind (hat, sunscreen, water- and windproof jacket and suitable legwear)
- Sunglasses
- Hiking poles
- Ample supply of drinking water and snacks
- First aid kit
- Kit para bolhas
- Bivy / survival bag
- Survival blanket
- Headlamp
- Pocket knife
- Whistle
- Cell phone
- Cash
- Navigation equipment / map and compass
- Emergency contact details
- ID
Camping Equipment
- Tent (3- or 4-season)
- Stove (including fuel and utensils)
- Sleeping mat. Sleeping bag with suitable temperature rating.
- Food
- Toiletries and medication
- Toilet paper
Things to Bring if Staying in a Mountain Hut
- Toiletries and medication
- Quick-drying towel
- Ear plugs
- Sleeping bag liner
- Sleepwear
- Alpine club membership card if applicable / ID
- Coronavirus mask and hand sanitizer
- The 'basic' and 'technical' equipment lists are generated based on the selected activity. They are not exhaustive and only serve as suggestions for what you should consider packing.
- For your safety, you should carefully read all instructions on how to properly use and maintain your equipment.
- Please ensure that the equipment you bring complies with local laws and does not include restricted items.
Reviews
Difficulty
difficult
Distance
12.8 km
Duration
4:30 h
Ascent
463 m
Descent
466 m
Highest point
321 m
Lowest point
60 m
Statistics
2D
3D
Maps and trails
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
Rating
Photos from others