Walking Holidays in the Rhine Valley |
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From Mainz in the south to Bonn in the north, the justifiably
famous Rhine Gorge is what many people all over the world
think of when they hear the words "The Rhine". Now a UNESCO
World Heritage Region, this former stronghold of Robber Barons
is also the setting for Wagner's Ring Cycle. Here the river runs between rocky banks and round sharp turns, while the narrowness of the gorge produces treacherous currents and whirlpools, making a passage of this part of the river a severe navigational test. |
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Pretty half-timbered towns, many dominated by castles, line the
banks of the river. Above the towns are world-famous vineyards
and above them are peaceful forests and glades. At the highest
point of the left bank begin the hills of the Hunsrück to
the south of Koblenz, and the Eifel to the north, while the right
bank forms the edge of the Taunus and the Westerwald. |
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The Rhine Heights Way is one of the major long distance paths
in Germany. This starts in Bonn at the northern end of the Rhine
Gorge and follows the left bank of the river south to end at
Alsheim south of Mainz, in the heart of the Palatinate Wine
country. Note that this is quite a demanding route, running high above the river. Each day begins with a significant climb, but offers correspondingly superb views over one of the most dramatic landscapes in Europe. A guide book to the whole long distance path by the well known English walking guide writer Alan Castle is available if you want more information. To order, phone 01946 861652. The price is £8.99 plus post and packing (£0.65 with the UK). |
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The Rhine Heights Way A six day walking tour in the Valley of Rhine |
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This six day walking tour takes you through the
most dramatic part of the Rhine Valley. Starting in Roman Bacharch
you follow the Rhine Wine Trail north along the east bank of the
river to Lahnstein, then cross the river and follow the Rhine Heights
Way back to Boppard. Unlike say, the Thames Path in England, Rhine Heights Way is not a predominately riverside route. Much of the time you may be a few miles from the river and several hundred feet above it, walking through peaceful countryside, away from the visitors thronging the banks of the river. Nevertheless, you descend each day to such well known towns as Boppard, St. Goar and Oberwesel, so this walk offers a wide range of walking experiences. |
| Detailed route and price information for the Rhine Heights Way. |
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Walking in St. Goar A six day Single Centre Holiday |
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In the centre of the Upper Middle Rhine lies the small port town
of St. Goar, dominated by the massive ruins of Rheinfels Castle,
the largest castle of all on the Middle Rhine. The Rhine Heights
Way passes the castle and a visit is strongly recommended.
St. Goar himself is the local vintner‘s patron. |
| Detailed route and price information for the St. Goar Single Centre Holiday. |
