The starting point of the Rheinsteig for every NST hiker is the Foveaux-Häuschen above Bonn. The Siebengebirge, or ‘Seven Mountains,’ owes its name to the seven prominent peaks that rise from the Rhine Valley. These include the Wolkenburg, Löwenstein, Petersberg, Nonnenstromberg, Löwenburg, Großer Ölberg—the highest peak in the Siebengebirge—and the most famous peak, the Drachenfels, which is crowned by the imposing Drachenburg castle ruins.

Important: The entire Siebengebirge is a nature park and thus protected. Thru-hikers should not consider overnight stays in the open or in shelters here. It is also strictly forbidden to leave the designated hiking trails. We have specifically marked all shelters in the Siebengebirge nature reserve on the resource map. Unfortunately, there are no legal trekking sites in this area yet, as there are in other nature and national parks.

The next destination is the Dornheckensee. The trail leads to the nearby escarpment, offering spectacular views of the Rhine Valley and Bonn. The route doesn’t directly pass by the lake but follows the edge of the terrain with a gentle ascent. This section is a series of magnificent viewpoints. From Rabenlay and Kuckstein, the trail follows the Nücker Felsweg to the outskirts of Oberkassel. Beyond the main road, the Nord Süd Trail continues through a forest, emerging again above Niederdollendorf at the Rheinblick on the wine education path. After a short walk along the edge of the forest, you reach a meadow and eventually the parking lot of the Heisterbach Monastery ruins, which are well worth a visit. The Heisterbach Monastery Ruins are a historical and cultural gem in the Siebengebirge, considered a monument of European significance. Founded in 1189, the Heisterbach Monastery was a Cistercian monastery. Today, there is also a restaurant on the site where you can rest for a while.
Next, you enter the forest and begin the long ascent to the Petersberg. The summit gained international fame through the Petersberg Agreement, signed in 1949, which granted sovereignty to the young Federal Republic of Germany. For many years, the guesthouse of the Federal Government was located here, which has since been converted into a grand hotel. After passing two shelters, you conquer the climb and are rewarded at the top with a magnificent view of the Siebengebirge and the Rhine. The trail then leads downhill via Schallenberg, where the Milchhäuschen offers a great place to stop for a hearty meal. Easy paths lead to a crossroads, from which a rustic sunken path climbs up to the turnoff to Königswinter. Here, you have an excellent opportunity to descend into the town of Königswinter to find accommodation. The next day, you can return to the trail via Germany’s oldest cogwheel railway.

Halfway to Königswinter, off the trail, lie Drachenburg Castle and the Nibelungenhalle with its adjacent reptile zoo. A visit is worthwhile before continuing to Drachenfels. The path ascends past rocks on the Eselsweg until you reach the terrace below Drachenfels, where a breathtaking panoramic view of the Rhine Valley unfolds. Above the bulky concrete building at the cogwheel railway station sits the ruin of Drachenburg Castle. Drachenfels is steeped in myths and legends, including one of the most famous tales of a dragon that once lived on the mountain, defeated by Siegfried, the hero of the Nibelungenlied. A detour to the summit of Drachenfels is highly recommended.
Tip: Drachenfels is one of the most frequently climbed mountains in Europe and attracts thousands of tourists annually. For those seeking peace, it is best to visit the mountain early in the morning or late in the evening during the week, after the last cogwheel train has departed.
From the observation terrace, a steep descent leads to the Ulanen Memorial in Rhöndorf, the residence of the late Chancellor Adenauer. After passing the cemetery, the path sharply turns right uphill, and the ascent to Löwenburg begins. The trail winds along beautiful single tracks past the large Breiberg and the nearby shelter. Soon, we reach the Löwenburger Hof. If you wish, you can take a short break here. From here, a steep path leads up to the ruins of Löwenburg, a border fortress of the Counts of Sayn. While not an official part of the Nord Süd Trail, the climb is highly recommended. The summit offers a magnificent view over the Eifel, the Rothaargebirge, and the Siebengebirge. Back on the trail, it’s a steep descent into the Ohbachtal, followed by another climb. After the Mucherwiesental, you reach the outskirts of Bad Honnef. Congratulations, you’ve completed 1,900 kilometers on the NST. Now, the trail continues upwards to Hasenhardt. At the highest point, you permanently leave NRW and enter Rhineland-Palatinate. Here, at a forest crossroads, stands the ‘Eye of God’ chapel. This marks the end of the Siebengebirge Nature Park, and overnight stays in shelters, provided they are outside of nature reserves, are generally tolerated.

From the edge of Rheinbreitbach, you can enjoy a leisurely downhill walk through the forest. In the valley, the trail takes a left turn just before reaching a former smelting site, and then the steady climb begins up to Marienberg and a war cemetery. After that, the path continues almost level across the Bruchhäuser Heide. Following a left bend, an old tree-lined avenue flanks the NST, and at a wooden cross on the edge of the forest, the trail enters the woods.
Along the picturesque single track, a rest area offers a splendid view of the Rhine Valley and the village of Unkel. After crossing the main road, the trail leads to a small waterfall. The ascent begins steeply with switchbacks from the Hähnerbach Valley up to the Stux, where you can enjoy a fascinating panoramic view near the TV mast.
The trail then descends through a sparse forest until you reach a few houses. But the path is aptly named the ‘Rollercoaster,’ and so it climbs once again. A beautiful meadow leads us to the village of Orsberg. From the village center, you quickly return to nature and encounter the Orsberg Springs along the way.
On the plateau, we wander comfortably through the forest until we reach the turnoff to the Erpeler Ley. At a junction in the trail, the loop to the edge of the slope begins, offering not only a refreshment stop but also a phenomenal view. This loop should definitely not be missed. A large wooden cross commemorates the victims of the battle for the Ludendorff Bridge between Erpel and Remagen in 1944/45. From the Ley, the bridge towers are visible.

After returning to the junction, turn right and follow a very steep staircase path down to Kasbach. There, a picnic bench awaits for a short break. The village is quickly traversed, and the viaduct of the Kasbachtal Railway is passed under. The trail then ascends again through the forest to the first outskirts of Linz. A detour to the hillside brings you to Ockenfels Castle, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Rhine and Linz. From the castle, the path continues on a paved road through Ockenfels. After passing the last houses and some garden plots, the trail climbs again before descending on a paved path into Linz. It’s worth taking the time to explore the town, home to the oldest town hall in Rhineland-Palatinate and the Electoral Cologne Castle. The trail continues through the picturesque and colorful half-timbered old town of Linz, leading to St. Martin’s Church. From there, the path climbs to Kaiserberg, offering a splendid view of Linz and back to Erpeler Ley. A series of switchbacks lead to some houses, where you turn left into the Alwiesenbach Valley and enter the forest. The trail steadily ascends through a side valley to the Rhine Plateau, emerging from the forest at the sports field of Dattenberg. Here, there is a lovely campsite and rest area. Just before this, you pass a well where you can refill your water supplies and freshen up. This grill hut might be busy or rented out on weekends. Finally, a shady path runs at a consistent elevation around Geiersberg and leads to Leubsdorf, a charming wine village with a small, pleasant bakery.
The trail then climbs steeply through orchards. Soon, meadows, pastures, and fields dominate the landscape, offering beautiful distant views. At the “Alte Mühle” (Old Mill), an ascent begins toward Ariendorf, a district of Bad Hönningen. Particularly impressive is an avenue of old chestnut trees leading to Arenfels Castle, also known as the “Castle of the Year” thanks to its 365 windows, 52 doors, and 12 towers. Today, the castle hosts concerts, exhibitions, and medieval markets. You walk directly through the castle courtyard to a terrace with dining options before the trail continues into the vineyards. It proceeds toward Gut Arienheller, through the Niederwald forest, and along the vineyards, passing through Bad Hönningen to the village of Rheinbrohl. It’s not far now to the spectacular viewpoint at the 198-meter-high Rheinbrohler Ley. From the lookout pavilion, you are rewarded with a magnificent panorama of the Rhine. The trail then continues to Hammerstein. After passing the church, the trail leads through the small wine village into the vineyards and on to nearby Oberhammerstein. The path climbs steeply before turning into the hillside meadows and reaching the turnoff to the ruins of Hammerstein. The former castle, once used to store the crown jewels, sits atop a 196-meter-high rocky hill. Although Hammerstein Castle is not directly on the North-South Trail, a detour is well worth it for the view.
A wide path then descends through the vineyards to Bachhof. From there, a serpentine path winds through forests and meadows, passing a shelter before entering the Langenbergskopf Nature Reserve. The trail then veers toward the hillside, where the adventure begins: a challenging rocky path leads down to the Edmundshütte, offering a prime view of the cold-water geyser on Namedyer Werth. Enthusiastically, you leave the terrace and follow the trail further down to a vineyard path that leads into the Hohlbach Valley.

The Neuwied Basin is a geological and scenic feature in the northern part of Rhineland-Palatinate. It stretches along the Rhine between Andernach and Koblenz, encompassing the area around the town of Neuwied.

From Leutesdorf, the trail winds its way up in switchbacks past the Wingertshäusje to the Hüllenberger Stolperstein, where a magnificent view of Andernach, with its landmarks—the round tower and the Rhine crane—rewards the effort. The route continues towards Feldkirchen through the forest and the meadows of the Kehlbach. We hike directly along the Limes, whose remnants are hidden in the woods. The trail leads us into the Buchbach Valley and climbs up to an orchard meadow. Shortly afterward, it descends again into the Reichelbach Valley and through a beech forest, where we spot the Ice Age Museum Monrepos on the left above, which is worth a visit. The Rheinsteig continues down into the Aubach Valley. We pass through the forest and soon reach a barbecue area, from which it is not far to Altwied Castle.
From the cemetery in Altwied, the path ascends into the forest. At the former powder mill, a water education trail begins, which we follow uphill to the Almblick viewpoint. A detour to the Laubach Waterfall is worthwhile along the way. The trail climbs further up in switchbacks to the Schauinsland viewpoint, where the Rhine comes back into view. The NST leads once more into the forest, circles around a tennis complex, and ends at the Römergraben in Rengsdorf. From there, it continues through a quiet residential area to Westerwaldstraße in the center of Rengsdorf.

We turn right onto a narrow path and make our way through the forest, passing by the Jonashütte. The trail then ascends through a fir forest to the eastern slope of the Wingertsberg, where traces of the former Limes trench are still visible in the terrain. The border was fortified at regular intervals with towers, one of which stood nearby. Today, only the foundations of this tower remain. A reconstruction of the fortification with a Roman tower takes us back in time.
From the Roman tower, we follow the Wingertsberg nature trail down into the Aubach Valley to the Schwanenteich pond. We stroll past the Rhineland-Palatinate Equestrian Performance Center in Oberbieber, before heading uphill towards Haus am Pilz. Crossing the Heimbach, we reach the Schnepfenteich and follow the bird trail towards Heimbach-Weis until we arrive at the shelter on Kuckuckberg. A narrow path through fields and orchards eventually leads us to the Neuwied Zoo. Before reaching the Bismarckhöhe with its shelter, we enjoy the view of the Neuwied Basin while hiking through the farmland. From the Bismarckhütte, the steep descent to Sayn continues. Finally, a winding path leads downhill, bringing the hiker out to the Koblenz-Olper Road in the princely town of Sayn.
We climb up along the walls via the castle terrace to Burg Sayn. This 800-year-old ancestral castle of the Counts of Sayn offers a wide panoramic view from the heights of the Westerwald over the Rhine plain to the volcanic peaks of the Eifel.
From here, a single trail leads uphill through a light oak forest. Upon reaching the parking lot of Burg Sayn, the NST turns right into a beech forest and follows a gravel forest path in a semicircle. Above the Brexbach Valley, we reach the Oskarhöhe, where a beautiful shelter offers a view of Sayn. The trail winds down into the valley, where a scout camp is located. Passing the camp, the trail continues to the viaduct and then turns left across the Brexbach. The next ascent takes us to the Pulverberg, where we can take a break at the legendary Roman tower.

After passing through the village of Vallendar, we cross the Wambach stream and climb up past the outdoor swimming pool to the tennis courts. The path then curves around the grounds of the vocational training center until we reach Kreisstraße 83, which we cross. From there, we descend along a sunken path into the Mallendarer Bach Valley and continue on to Urbar. On the other side of the valley, we ascend again, following the trail markers through a residential area until we reach a sports field, then continue southwards. On the “Niederberger Höhe,” we turn right onto “Greiffenklaustraße,” which we leave at another sports field, turning right onto a narrow path.
We cross the plateau and the paid parking lot before the path sharply turns left onto a footpath at the entrance pavilion of the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. However, it’s worth taking a moment to visit the famous Ehrenbreitstein Fortress (admission required). If you stay overnight at the youth hostel located within the fortress, the entrance to the fortress is free. An overnight stay here is highly recommended.
The main trail runs below the fortress, leading to the “southern fortifications” and the start of the Felsenpfad (Rock Path). This path winds adventurously through a bastion of the fortress and then continues steeply downward along the rock face. Upon reaching the bottom, we cross Charlottenstraße and follow Hofstraße until we reach the Rhine.

The UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley is a region of significant landscape and cultural importance along the Rhine River, stretching from Bingen and Rüdesheim in the south to Koblenz in the north. This approximately 65-kilometer-long river landscape was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2002 and is renowned for its impressive castles, vineyards, historic towns, and picturesque villages. The valley is known for its high density of castles and palaces, including some of the most famous ones like Marksburg, Burg Katz, Burg Rheinfels, and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.

Following the Rhine upstream along its bank, we reach Pfaffendorf. This is the closest we will get to the Rhine on the North-South Trail until we arrive in Karlsruhe. We then leisurely hike uphill through the wooded ravine of the Bienhornbach, heading towards the meadow at Wachecker Kopf. After circling around Liedchensberg, we arrive at the 320-meter-high Lichterkopf. From there, the path continues straight and later descends in switchbacks towards Allerheiligenberg. A narrow path leads steeply down to a junction with a pavilion, with steel cables available for extra support if needed. At the bottom, we keep to the left and soon reach a resting bench with a spectacular view of the Allerheiligen Chapel and Burg Lahneck, as well as Burg Stolzenfels on the left bank of the Rhine. From here, it’s a brisk 15-minute walk to the shelter at the upper end of the Ruppertsklamm.

A small stream has carved the gorge nearly two kilometers deep into the Devonian slate. The path winds cheerfully back and forth across the water via walkways and bridges. The rocks close in on the path, and soon, the descent must be navigated closely along the rock face. Rope handrails provide assistance here. Eventually, the challenge is overcome, and the stream is crossed one last time. The portal of the Ruppertsklamm releases the hiker from the narrow gorge and forest onto a sidewalk beside a main road. The contrast couldn’t be greater. On the right bank of the Lahn River, with a view of Allerheiligenberg and Burg Lahneck, the path passes the famous Wirtshaus an der Lahn, where Goethe once dined. The trail leads us to the lockkeeper’s cottage and the pedestrian bridge over the Lahn. On the other side, the path follows the river upstream for a short distance along the left bank before the route veers right up the slope and climbs steeply in switchbacks.

Shortly after, the trail leads over to the former Aspich Farm, but just before reaching it, it turns left onto a forest path into the Schlierbach Valley and descends before the next ascent through the woods begins, leading up to a meadow plateau. Caution is advised here, as the route suddenly turns right and descends via a narrow rocky ridge into a tight valley, from which a narrow switchback path climbs back up. It’s now just a short distance to the turnoff to the Kerkerster Platte, where the silhouette of Marksburg Castle first appears.
The meadow at the shelter on the Kerkerster Platte is an excellent spot for an overnight rest to restore your hiking energy. Please adhere to the NST Code and the “Leave no Trace” philosophy. Below the shelter lies the romantic village of Braubach, where you can easily replenish your supplies.

From the beautiful town center of Braubach, a winding path leads up to Marksburg, the only castle on the Middle Rhine that has never been destroyed. After leaving the castle behind, a staircase path descends to the railway tracks, where the steep Zecherweg begins. It’s worth turning around frequently during the climb to enjoy the view of Marksburg. Soon, we reach the “Kingdom of Shadow Bench.” If the bench is occupied, there’s a lovely viewpoint pavilion a bit further up for a break.
What follows is pure hiking pleasure along the hillside. The path initially ascends gently until the route veers right again and climbs steeply to a rest area with a magnificent view of the Rhine Valley. The trail continues with a steady rhythm of ascents and descents, crossing several side valleys. From here, it’s not far to a junction in the middle of the forest, from which a quick descent leads down to Osterspai. Passing the access path to Osterspai, the trail loses elevation until it finally exits the forest and meanders through orchards to Filsen. Upon reaching Filsen, the NST immediately returns to nature, following a spectacular and challenging rocky path that continues to the Filsener Ley, a spot that captivates with breathtaking panoramic views and beautiful natural surroundings. An overnight stay in this shelter is not recommended, as the ground is uneven and the roof is not watertight.

“Once upon a time, there were two wicked brothers. While dividing the inheritance, they cheated their blind sister. Unlike her, the brothers squandered the stolen money. But as their fortune dwindled, they began to quarrel. When everything was gone, the brothers decided to reconcile during a hunt. Whoever woke up first the next morning was to wake the other by shooting an arrow at his window shutter. Both awoke at the same time, opened their shutters, and fired their arrows—each hitting the other’s heart.”

As eerie as this tale is, the North-South Trail is equally beautiful along this section. After the Filsener Ley, the path follows scenic trails toward Wilhelmshöhe, where the castles Liebenstein and Sterrenberg seem almost within reach. To reach them, you must descend 82 steps into the Bornhofen Brook Valley and climb up the other side to the castles of the “hostile brothers,” both of which are open to visitors. Beyond the castle grounds, the trail ascends steeply again to the plateau of Lykershausen, the highest point on the Rheinsteig. In Lykershausen, a visit to Günter and his hiker’s kiosk, “Alte Schule,” is an absolute must—an essential stop on the NST.
The route then gently winds through the forest, slightly downhill, until it reaches the beautiful viewpoint pavilion at Hindenburghöhe. Above the village of Kestert, there is a spring and a lovely shelter perfect for an overnight rest. The first destination is Oberkestert, a settlement above the Rhine Valley, where a break at Uschi’s Hiker Station is almost obligatory. The trail continues on narrow paths, constantly ascending and descending, until you reach the spacious shelter on the Sachsenhäuser Field. From here, it descends in long, winding curves toward the Wellmich Brook Valley. On the opposite slope sits Burg Maus (Mouse Castle), the next destination. It owes its popular name to the neighboring Burg Katz (Cat Castle), whose owner disdainfully called it Burg Maus. Near the entrance gate, a narrow path begins, leading steeply up to the upper edge of the plateau. Following this edge, the trail crosses open fields to the Nocherner Brünnchen hiking parking lot. From there, a serpentine path descends steeply to St. Goarshausen. As an alternative, you can also tackle the Rabenacksteig, a small but delightful via ferrata above St. Goarshausen.

The royal stage of the entire route: No other designated path is longer or accumulates more elevation gain. The trail winds its way up in switchbacks to Patersberg, where the “Three Castles View” awaits. From here, you can see not only the castles Katz and Maus but also the impressive Rheinfels Fortress on the left bank of the Rhine.
The village is quickly passed, and the hiking trail leads from the forest into the meadows of the Loreley Plateau. With a fantastic panoramic view, you walk alongside the summer toboggan run to the visitor center and the newly redesigned plateau. Don’t miss the short walk to the cliff edge, where the beautiful blonde maiden (Loreley) has caused trouble for many ships.
After thoroughly enjoying the view, the trail continues to the starting point of the Loreley Wine Trail and then to the plateau at Leiselfeld. What follows is hard to put into words—you have to experience it: spectacular viewpoints at Spitznack, Felsenkanzel, Fünf-Seen-Platz, and the Waldschule. Then, it’s time to descend into the Urbachtal before climbing again to the Alte Burg. Nearby, a narrow path begins, winding along the hillside. This path leads to the Rosssteine, where you’ll have a stunning view of Oberwesel.
There aren’t many more meters to climb before reaching the plateau where Dörscheid is located. After leaving Dörscheid, you soon reach the Oberweselblick, a viewpoint overlooking the town of Oberwesel on the other side of the Rhine. Here, you can take a short break and enjoy the view. The trail continues through forests and vineyards before bringing you close to the majestic Burg Gutenfels, towering above the town of Kaub. Shortly thereafter, you’ll reach Kaub itself, where you can make a detour to the famous Zollburg Pfalzgrafenstein, a small toll castle on an island in the middle of the river.

After leaving Kaub behind, the Rheinsteig leads you through wooded slopes up to Lorch. Crossing the Niedertalbach stream, you pass from Rhineland-Palatinate into Hesse and simultaneously enter the Free State of Flaschenhals. An informational sign by the “Grenzvogt” (border warden) explains what happened in the 1920s to this “no man’s land” between the French and American occupation zones. This section includes some steep climbs but rewards you with beautiful forest paths and stunning views.
Lorch is a charming wine town, perfect for a break. After Lorch, the trail continues through the Wispertal, where you’ll reach the Wispertalblick, another viewpoint offering a lovely view of the valley and surrounding landscape. The route then continues through forests and vineyards towards Assmannshausen, famous for its Pinot Noir wine. Before reaching Assmannshausen, there’s an option to descend directly into the town, where you can take a break and sample the region’s renowned red wine.
After Assmannshausen, the last significant ascent begins, leading to the Niederwald, a forested area above Rüdesheim. On this stretch, you’ll arrive at the Niederwald Monument, erected to commemorate the unification of Germany and the founding of the German Empire in 1871. It symbolizes the victory over France and the subsequent founding of the empire. The central figure is the 12.5-meter-tall Germania, holding the imperial sword in her right hand and the imperial crown in her left. The Niederwald Monument is one of the most important national monuments in Germany and a significant symbol of German unity. From here, you have a breathtaking view over the Rhine Valley and the town of Rüdesheim.
Shortly after Germania, we leave the Rheinsteig and descend through the vineyards to Rüdesheim. This is a good place to plan a “zero day” to explore the town a bit. We then take the passenger ferry across the Rhine to Bingen, the starting point of the Soonwaldsteig.

Conclusion: The Rheinsteig can truly be considered the birthplace of the North-South Trail. The path offers not only a physical challenge but also stands out on the NST for its numerous single trails. Additionally, the Rheinsteig is extremely diverse and leaves nothing to be desired in terms of cultural experiences. Although the Rheinsteig has not officially been part of the “Top Trails of Germany” for some time, this fact is of little significance. The Rheinsteig remains one of the most beautiful hiking trails Germany has to offer.