Konrad Friedgen

The Soonwaldsteig trail runs for 85 km from Kirn on the Nahe river, right through the Soonwald-Nahe Nature Park to Bingen am Rhein. We first hike parallel to the Hahnenbach valley to Schmidtburg and then tackle the Lützelsoon hills. The trail then leads through the Kellenbach valley into the Soonwald forest. At Rheinböllen, we cross the Guldenbach Valley and finally pass through the Binger Forest to the Rhine at Bingen am Rhein.

As well as a good dose of Rhine castle romance, this dream loop offers magnificent views of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can admire Oberwesel, the ‘town of towers’, Schönburg Castle, Katz Castle, Pfalzgrafenstein Customs Castle, Rheinfels Castle and the world-famous Loreley Rock. Finally, the view from the Spitzer Stein observation tower sweeps across the plateau-like Hunsrück hills and, beyond the Rhine Valley, far into the Taunus mountains.

On the fifth and final stage, the Soonwaldsteig trail leads from the quiet and secluded forests of Lützelsoon and Großer Soon into the Middle Rhine Valley, a World Heritage Site. The route mostly follows narrow paths and rocky climbs. A narrow gorge, a turbulent torrent, two medieval ruins and several fantastic views of the Rhine Valley characterise this section of the trail, which begins at the Jägerhaus forest lodge and ends in Bingen am Rhein.

From the panoramic Schanzerkopf in the Mittlerer Soon to the Binger Wald The fourth stage also takes us through the unspoilt, almost untouched landscape of the Soonwald forest. However, we are noticeably closer to civilisation again. We pass through the village of Rheinböllen, walk through a wind farm and come across two former foresters' houses where we can stop for refreshments. On the section from Schanzerkopf to the Jägerhaus foresters' house, we can enjoy magnificent views and, in addition to the panoramic Soonwald ridge, we pass two viewing towers.

Through beech forests and nature reserves in the Großer Soon On the third stage of the Soonwaldsteig trail, from the Koppenstein hiking car park to the Schanzerkopf hiking car park, the long-distance hiking trail plunges into the total seclusion of the Greater and Middle Soon. It passes through a primeval forest, two marshy nature reserves and quiet beech forests. Wild paths over bumpy quartzite rock, natural forest trails and soft meadow paths are part of the route profile, which takes us over the highest point of the Soonwald, the 658-metre-high Ellerspring.

This stage of the Soonwaldsteig trail leads through the Hahnenbach Valley and over the quartzite ridge of the Lützelsoon. It follows idyllic riverside paths and wild trails from Rudolfshaus to the ruins of Koppenstein Castle. It passes a visitor mine, a reconstruction of a Celtic hilltop settlement, the historic Schmidtburg castle and the Hahnenbach Valley water adventure trail. Sure-footedness is essential on this stage.

Gentle adventure meets evidence of the exciting Middle Ages "Off on a gentle adventure" is the motto of the 84-kilometre-long Soonwaldsteig trail. It runs across the densely wooded quartzite ridges of Lützelsoon and Großer Soon from Kirn on the Nahe to Bingen on the Rhine. The long-distance hiking trail is very peaceful on its five (possibly six) stages, and we do not pass any human settlements for more than forty kilometres. The trail follows many paths past several medieval ruins, a series of observation towers with some outstanding views, and finally, the romantic Rhine. The very first stage of the Soonwaldsteig shows that this long-distance hiking trail is full of surprises and will not disappoint nature-loving hikers.

The Napoleon Trail owes its name to a formation of red sandstone towering in the middle of the sparse woodland; with a little imagination, its upper section could be said to resemble the shape of Emperor Napoleon’s tricorne hat. The walk takes you past countless red sandstone formations, each bearing imaginative names, which rise up in wildly jagged shapes along the route. The walk also takes you past the Reinighof spring and through marshy wet meadows in the Wöllmersbach Valley.

Exposed rocky outcrops offer stunning views of the valley, mysterious medieval ruins can be explored, and well-signposted routes ensure a wonderful hiking experience in the Mittlerer Wasgau. Bizarre red sandstone formations line the path, you pass through imposing rock arches, and you walk through an idyllic meadow valley.

The geologically significant Elfengrotte, two roaring waterfalls, the wild Uessbach Valley and a castle rock offering spectacular views guarantee a fantastic hiking experience in the Vulkaneifel near Bad Bertrich. The trails largely follow narrow riverside paths and rocky inclines, often on steep slopes.