Cycling, hiking and boat: 8 days of Rhine romance on the MS Olympia from Mainz and Worms to Koblenz

Journey to Mainz

Have you ever been to Rheinlad-Pfalz?

Welcome to the capital!

We can promise you one thing: you will not be the first to be captivated by this stream in the Upper Rhine basin shortly before it breaks through into the bedrock of the Taunus and Hunsrück mountains. The Romans were already trudging around here, securing ‘their’ forts on the fertile alluvial land with the Limes deep in the woods above the vineyards.

Do you have a little time before the hiking boots press the next morning? Mainz is worth a visit. St. Martin’s Cathedral, the Deutschhaus with the State Parliament, the beautiful Old Town on the Rhine with its half-timbered buildings, the Gutenberg Museum or the Electoral Palace of the Prince Bishops with their Archbishopric and Churwürde… When the railroad tunnel south of the main station was renovated a few years ago, what happens so often on the Rhine happened. A Roman bone, long thought to be dead, poked and and blocked all construction work. A grandiose amphitheater cut into the rock came to light.

What does the Rhinelander do in such a situation? Well, he simply built the S-Bahn station onto the theater stage. One of the most remarkable train stations in Germany – worth your visit!

Cycle tour: Mainz – Nierstein, approx. 20 km
Boat trip Nierstein – Worms

A short stage and plenty of time to enjoy: You cycle directly along the Rhine on well-maintained paths on the Rhine Cycle Path to Nierstein. With almost 1,000 hectares of vineyards, Nierstein is the largest wine-growing community on the Rhine. Also visit the historic center of the village with its medieval marketplace and noble houses.

In the afternoon, take a boat from Nierstein to the Nibelungen city of Worms: the city of the Nibelungs, the Imperial Diet, the trial of the Causa Martin Luther before the Emperor Charles V, the city and imperial cathedral of Worms. Welcome to the southernmost point of your tour!

Hike: Mainz – Bodenheim, hiking tour approx. 14 km;
Boat trip Nierstein – Worms

Today you will discover a section of the Rhine Terraces Trail with impressive views of the Rhine, the Taunus hills and the Frankfurt skyline.

The hike begins in the Rhineland-Palatinate state capital of Mainz and initially leads along the Rhine. The landscape gradually changes: you cross the site of the former Weisenau limestone quarry – a fascinating place with geological insights into millions of years of geological history.

A particular highlight along the way is the panoramic view from the Laubenheimer Höhe. Once you arrive in Bodenheim, you can expect magnificent views and an idyllic riverside promenade along the Rhine.

From Bodenheim, please take the train to either Nierstein or Worms. If you arrive in Nierstein in good time, you can also take the last passage to Worms on board your floating hotel.

Cycle tour: Worms – Nierstein, approx. 35 km

You start your bike tour today in the Nibelungen city of Worms. On an extensive bike tour along the banks of the Rhine, you will once again have the opportunity to experience the charm of the vineyards and the versatility of the Rhine. Today you will drive from the south to Nierstein, also known as Riesling City.

Afterwards, your ship will take you on to Mainz.

Hike: Worms – Osthofen, approx. 16 km, followed by a boat trip from Nierstein to Mainz

Today’s stage starts directly on the banks of the Rhine in Worms. You will spend another sunny day on the varied RheinTerrassenWeg trail. Along the small river Pfrimm, which runs through the city like a green ribbon, you walk along a former railroad line to the magnificent Herrnsheim Castle.

The extensive English-style castle park forms a charming contrast to the vast vineyards that now dominate the landscape. A special section awaits you around the Abenheim Sculpture Trail, where art and nature are successfully combined.

On the way to Osthofen, you will pass the striking mountain church and several lovingly preserved vineyard cottages, which tell of the region’s long wine-growing tradition.

From Osthofen, you can take the S-Bahn to either Nierstein or Mainz. If you are back in Nierstein early, you can also take the last passage on board.

Bike tour Oberwesel – Rüdesheim, approx. 26 km

Today, the Rhine and its surroundings will show you why the Upper Middle Rhine Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beautiful Rhine islands, steep slate cliffs and vineyards characterize the region near Rüdesheim. By bike, the route passes Eltville, with its Electoral Castle, and Oestrich-Winkel, whose landmark is a historic wine loading crane, to Rüdesheim.

In the wide Rheingau below the Germania near Rüdesheim, the Romans already felt so comfortable that they built the Limes far up in the Taunus to protect the fertile alluvial land of the Rhine for agriculture and viticulture.

Salve!

Beautiful Rhine islands, steep slate cliffs and vineyards characterize the region near Rüdesheim. By bike, the route passes Eltville, with its Electoral Castle, and Oestrich-Winkel, whose landmark is a historic wine loading crane, to Rüdesheim.

The old winegrowing town of Rüdesheim, where even the Romans grew wine, welcomes you with quaint wine taverns and historic half-timbered houses.

Hike: Oestrich-Winkel – Rüdesheim, approx. 19 km

The first section of the Rheinsteig awaits you today. From Oestrich-Winkel, you start your hike through the charming cultural landscape of the Rheingau.

Shortly after the start, you will pass the imposing Vollrads Castle winery – surrounded by a beautiful park, which is ideal for a first break. The route continues through picturesque vineyards and quiet forest passages. Impressive views of the Rhine Valley open up time and again.

The crowning glory of this stage is the so-called “box view” of Rüdesheim – a magnificent panorama that will leave you wanting more. Your boat awaits you on the shore, ready to take you into the evening.

Please take the S-Bahn from Mainz to Oestirch-Winkel.

Rüdesheim – Oberwesel, approx. 26 km

The heart of the Middle Rhine Valley awaits you today – with winding paths, fantastic views and legendary castles.

In the morning you will set off from Rüdesheim by bicycle. Passing dense forests and magnificent vineyards, you will pass sights such as the Niederwald Monument and Pfalzgrafenstein Castle along the Rhine before reaching your destination for the day, Oberwesel.

Hike: Rüdesheim – Lorch, approx. 21 km

The Rheinsteig trail takes you high above Rüdesheim and opens up impressive views: from the Niederwalddenkmal monument, the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley lies at your feet. The trail continues through sun-drenched vineyards and shady woodland to the legendary Magic Cave – a hidden gem on the way to idyllic Assmannshausen.

After the descent into the charming little red wine town, a challenging but rewarding ascent follows. Once at the top, the Rheinsteig runs along narrow paths along the edge of the slope and offers wide panoramic views over the Rhine Valley as well as the first views of the region’s castles. The stage ends in Lorch – a picturesque wine village with a long history and special flair.

Tip: If you want to shorten the route a little, you can take the cable car in Rüdesheim or the chairlift to Assmannshausen – or combine the two and still experience many scenic highlights.

You can travel from Lorch to Oberwesel by ferry and S-Bahn.

Bike tour Oberwesel – Boppard, approx. 20 km

From Oberwesel, embark on a short bike ride along the Rhine to Boppard. On this short route you will have the opportunity to enjoy the varied landscape from one of the viewpoints in many places. Even from the shore, the many forts and the legendary Loreley Rock along the route offer you a picturesque backdrop.

The most famous rock on the Rhine, the Loreley is also on your program, as well as the three-castle view of Burg Katz, Maus and the largest of all Rhine castles, the fortress castle Rheinfels.

A crowning conclusion to your day’s stage before you reach Oberwesel.

Hike: Oberwesel – St. Goar, approx. 10 km; or
Kaub – St. Goarshausen, the royal stage of the Rheinsteig, approx. 20 km

Today you have the choice between two impressive hiking routes – depending on your mood and fitness level:
The stage on the RheinBurgenWeg from Oberwesel to St. Goar delights with wide views, a relaxed passage through the forest and a refreshment stop with a premium view of the Loreley.

The route from St. Goar to Boppard is by train.

The “royal stage” of the Rheinsteig from Kaub to St. Goarshausen is only for the experienced – with many steep ascents and descents, rocky passages and around 20 challenging kilometers. Those who persevere will be rewarded with breathtaking views, wild and romantic valleys and the Loreley plateau.

Some passages can also be shortened by bus. Take the ferry from Engelsburg to Kaub. The route from St. Goarshausen to Boppard can be covered by train and ferry.

Bike tour Boppard – Koblenz, approx. 25 km

From Boppard you will drive to Koblenz today. Today, the world-famous Marksburg Castle lines your way to Koblenz with its famous Deutsches Eck, where the Moselle flows into the Rhine.

Finally, on the Moselle, you will reach the ancient capital of the Rhenish Republic, the Romans, Chur-Trier, the Prussians, the Germans.

Koblenz is probably the most underrated city in Germany. The banks of the Rhine and Moselle, the three fortresses, the fortress garden, the promenades, the beautiful old town. Koblenz is worth an extra day.

At the famous Deutsches Eck with the equestrian monument of Kaiser Wilhelm I, the Moselle flows into the Rhine.

Worth seeing is the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, to which you can also take the Koblenz Rhine cable car.

Hike: Braubach – Koblenz, approx. 21 km

Finally, another varied route on the Rheinsteig awaits you – with exciting paths, quiet valleys and magnificent views. From Braubach, the trail climbs up to Kerkertser Platte and leads through the quiet Schlierbach valley up to Lahnhöhe.

With a view of Lahneck Castle, the route continues into the idyllic Lahn Valley – before it gets adventurous: The Ruppertsklamm gorge awaits you with rope-secured passages and a short climbing section.

Once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with a magnificent panorama. The route finally leads down through the tranquil Bienhorntal valley to the banks of the Rhine – and into Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle meet and your journey comes to an atmospheric end.

You can travel from Boppard to Braubach by train and ferry.

Departure from Koblenz

Whether by bike or on Ruprecht’s Pappen – an eventful week lies behind you. We hope you take home unforgettable impressions of castles, wine and rocks, towns, people and history.

After breakfast, disembarkation awaits you until 09:00. Make your way back to Mainz by train. The journey with the Mittelrheinbahn is an experience. For schedules and tickets, visit https://www.mittelrheinbahn.de/.

Koblenz is certainly worth an extra day. The city of the Romans, Chur-Trier, the Prussians, the Germans. Koblenz is probably the most underrated city in Germany. The banks of the Rhine and Moselle, the three fortresses, the fortress garden, the promenades, the beautiful old town. Koblenz is waiting for you to come back.

Maybe a Rhine-Moselle bike tour next year? Or climb the Rheinsteig once?