Access route: From Oestrich-Winkel train station, a path leads through the vineyards up to the Rheinsteig (RS). Alternatively, you can reach the RS from Johannisberg (bus connection).

In the midst of the sea of vines, you rejoin the RS trail. With a gentle slope, the RS leads through the vineyards and soon you will stand before the Schloss Vollrads, famous for its wines. The RS continues the vineyard route with some detours and soon passes the Gottesthaler Mill. With a distinctive left turn, it climbs gently to Kühns Mill. Along the edge of the vineyards, there are repeatedly resting spots inviting you to pause and enjoy the view. After crossing the Dornbach, a meadow provides variety, but be careful: you might hear some flying objects buzzing around here, as this is the airfield of a model aircraft club. A few more meters up, the RS reaches the forest edge and now leads eastward with views between the forest and vineyards. Passing the Philippsburg hunting lodge, you walk to the shelter at Susberg and climb the hill after a short rest through groves. Now you initially leave the vineyards behind and may enjoy walking through forest and open countryside for a change. This leads you to the Rebhangstraße, which you cross, then turn left until you reach the Rebenhang housing estate. Over the Unkenbaumweg, you quickly return to the forest and at the multiple junction "Am Unkenbaum" you find an inviting rest area. The namesake Unkenbaum, an ancient oak, has long since fallen victim to a storm.

The RS now turns right, and on the following quiet forest section, you can let your thoughts wander until the forest recedes and you reach the vineyard "Steinberg," surrounded by a venerable wall. The view is once again magnificent as you walk downhill along the famous vineyard. Finally, a steep descent through the forest follows, and then it happens: you stand at the edge of the extensive Kloster Eberbach complex!

The RS leads directly through the monastery grounds, which are well worth a detailed visit. After all, it was Bernard of Clairvaux who founded this venerable Cistercian monastery in 1136.

After the tour, you return to the RS, which leaves the monastery behind at the Kisselbach and enters the forest. After a short, steep climb, you switch to a slope-parallel path and can admire the monastery from a new perspective. Then follows the long ascent to Honigberg. After significant elevation gain, you cross the summit in the forest and are delighted when the RS soon leads out of the forest into open countryside.

Soon the meadows turn into loose groves, and eventually you reach the vineyards again, which characterize today's stage. It won't be long now until you reach the first houses of Kiedrich. At Marktstraße, in the heart of Kiedrich, picturesque half-timbered houses and rustic dining options await you at the end of the hike to conclude this exciting route fittingly.

Parking is available on Schlossallee or at the sports ground on Hansenbergallee.

Take the regional train to Geisenheim station. From there, you can take bus line 183 to Johannisberg (travel time 5 minutes). Monday - Saturday, the bus runs hourly; on Sundays and holidays every 2 hours.

From Kiedrich, you can take bus line 172 to Eltville train station (travel time 13 minutes). At least once per hour on all days. Or you can follow the Rheinsteig for another 2.5 km to the yellow-marked access path (3 km long) down to Eltville train station. This makes the hike a total of 5.5 km longer.

www.rheinsteig.de