World Heritage Trail
Stage 8: Between Koblenz and Rhens

in 2002, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. To mark its twentieth anniversary, the fairytale World Heritage Trail was created last year. A spectacular hiking trail that stretches from Koblenz to Bingen, passing beautiful castles and ruins, picturesque vantage points, imposing deciduous forests and idyllic wine-growing areas.

On the World Heritage Trail you have the opportunity to dive deep into the history of the Rhineland.
Because the 14.5-kilometer section between Koblenz and Rhens holds several World Heritage sites ready to be explored by hikers - from the historic Rittersturz to the romantic town of Rhens.

The Rittersturz is a popular vantage point in the Koblenz city forest and the first highlight on our hiking trail. The impressive monument commemorates the Rittersturz Conference in 1948, when for three days the prime ministers of the western countries met at the Rittersturz Hotel to discuss the Frankfurt documents. The result was the Koblenz resolutions, an important stage on the way to the Basic Law.

The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is one of the oldest cultural landscapes in all of Europe. The approximately 65-kilometer-long section between the ancient Roman city of Koblenz and the towns of Bingen and Rüdesheim was honored by UNESCO in 2002 and included in the list of World Heritage Sites. with its fascinating beauty, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley is considered the epitome of Rhine Romanticism and can be perfectly explored on a hike along the World Heritage Trail.

Schloss Stolzenfels is the second highlight on the hiking trail in the direction of Rhens. It offers a fascinating insight into the residential culture of the 19th century. The picturesque castle with its idyllic park and dreamlike gardens is one of the most remarkable achievements of Prussian Rhine Romanticism. A visit is an absolute must.

You can also admire the view of the Marksburg Castle, steeped in history, during the hike along the World Heritage Trail. The fortress consists mainly of buildings from the 13th to 15th centuries and is the only hilltop castle on the Middle Rhine that has never been destroyed. It is perched on a rock cone 90 meters above the romantic town of Braubach and is the perfect subject for a souvenir photo.

With its shape, the Königsstuhl near Rhens is reminiscent of a medieval throne. In Rhens, the electors met from 1273 for negotiations and the election of the German kings. Today, during your hiking tour along the World Heritage Trail, you can admire a modified replica of the King's Chair from the 19th century and enjoy the view of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley.

The romantic town of Rhens is located on the left bank of the Rhine, directly opposite Marksburg Castle. It is the last stop on our stage of the World Heritage Trail. Here you can once again dive deep into the past during a visit to Altstadt with its picturesque half-timbered houses, the historic town hall and the almost completely preserved town wall with its three gates.