Rheinsteig Itinerary: 21 Stages & Our 6-Day Section

The full Rheinsteig is 320 km and 21 official stages from Bonn to Wiesbaden. Lee hiked a 6-stage section over two years (2023 + 2024) — this page covers both: the official framework and our day-by-day route.

Also read: Complete Guide · Accommodation · Trek overview

Official stage reference: Komoot — 21 stages of the Rheinsteig

Full trail overview

Section	Route	Character
North	Bonn → Koblenz	Siebengebirge, Drachenfels, moderate
Middle	Koblenz → St. Goarshausen	UNESCO Middle Rhine, castles, Lorelei — hardest
South	St. Goarshausen → Wiesbaden	Vineyards, Rüdesheim, gentler finish

Variations: Hike north only (Bonn–Königswinter), middle only (Braubach–St. Goarshausen), or wine section (Rüdesheim–Wiesbaden).

Lee's 6-stage itinerary (hiked)

Day	Stage	Distance	Time	Overnight	Year
1	Bonn → Königswinter	20 km	6–7 h	Königswinter	2023
2	Königswinter → Bad Honnef	16 km	5–6 h	Bad Honnef	2023
3	Bad Honnef → Linz	17 km	~6 h	Linz	2023
4	Linz → Bad Hönningen	15 km	~5 h	Bad Hönningen	2024
5	Bad Hönningen → Andernach	18.5 km	~7 h	Andernach	2024
6	Andernach → Bendorf	17.5 km	~7 h	Bendorf	2024

Total hiked: ~104 km over six trail days.

Stage highlights

Day 1 — Bonn to Königswinter

Left Bonn city centre, crossed the Rhine, riverside promenade (Joey loved it), forest and vineyards. Beer garden with view, ice cream in Königswinter. Maritim Hotel splurge.

Day 2 — Castles appear

Forest paths, castles through the trees, fairy-tale feel. Flammkuchen dinner in Bad Honnef.

Day 3 — Linz square

Open fields, more castles, lively Linz square with music boxes. Vowed to return yearly.

Day 4 — Quieter year two

Cooler weather, fewer tourists. Forest overlooks, Bad Hönningen beers.

Day 5 — Wine and ferry

Vineyard Rosé tasting, cheese platter. Last ferry across Rhine to Andernach hotel. Spa evening — highlight.

Day 6 — Urban surprise

No morning ferry → extra km to bridge. Suburban roads, monastery hotel in Bendorf. Monday holiday = food quest.

Planning tips

• Start short — northern stages ease you in (Dutch flat-landers take note)
• Combine stages if pet-friendly hotels scarce (we did in year 2)
• Skip road sections — Portree-style tip: some urban connectors feel dull
• Ferry timetables — Day 5–6 lesson
• Flexibility — annual pilgrimage model works; finish 21 stages over multiple trips

What's next for us

Stages 7–21 still to come — Koblenz, Lorelei rock, southern vineyards. The adventure continues.

Related planning

• Difficulty — moderate, rolling hills
• Getting there — Bonn start
• Cost guide — hotel prices per stage
• Navigation — premium waymarks