Soonwaldsteig – Complete Trail
A hike in tranquillity and solitude – right in the heart of Germany.
The Soonwald-Trail offers wilderness, tranquillity and a source of strength all in one - hiking in harmony with nature and with yourself.
From Kirn in the idyllic Hahnenbach Valley, the trail runs over wooded quartzite ridges into the romantic Rhine Valley to Bingen. Enjoying silence in secluded forests, with only nature as a backdrop, is a great way to recharge your batteries from stressful everyday life.
On more than 40 km of trail in the Große Soon and Lützelsoon, the Soonwald-Trail (total distance 85 km) does not touch any settlements and only crosses smaller, less frequented country roads; so be sure to fill your backpack with provisions. Narrow paths open up forests that are difficult to access and lead to hidden natural beauties.
Author’s recommendation
The individual stages of the Soonwald-Trail are also wonderful day tours, during which you already get to know much of the special character of the Soonwald.
Track types
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Turn-by-turn directions
You can find all the details about the Soonwald Trail in the tour descriptions of the six stages.
Public transport
From Kirn railway station you can reach the starting point at the market square in about 10 minutes. In Bingen, the Soonwald-Trail begins/ends directly at the main railway station. Timetables at www.bahn.com/en
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Ingrid Retterath: Soonwaldsteig; ISBN 978-3-86686-321-7; price €9.90
Author’s map recommendations
Soonwald-Nahe nature park 1:50 000 including the Soonwaldsteig trail Topographic map with hiking trails and cycle paths ISBN 978-3896373007
Statistics
- 6 Stages
Medieval castles and evidence of slate mining line the unspoilt and wild natural landscape in the dreamy Hahnenbach Valley.
Hike over the crest of the Lützelsoon mountain, where wildcats bathe in the sun on the quartzite scree slopes.
Two lookout towers offer great panoramic views of the ridges of "Lützelsoon" and "Großer Soon": Koppenstein keep and Alteburg tower.
Through the headwaters of the Gräfenbach to the Schwappelbruch and Katzenkopf natural forest reserves. A cornucopia of nature experiences and ...
In the Bingen Forest, let your gaze wander to the Rhine and enjoy the hospitality of old forester’s lodges.
The deeply cut Morgenbach Valley and the rustic donkey trail ("Eselspfad") lead to the quiet side of the Rhine Valley.
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