Right in the center of Kiedrich begins today's Rheinsteig (RS) stage to Schlangenbad. After just a few steps, the first worthwhile detour awaits: a visit to the gothic St. Valentin Church, which houses Germany's oldest still functioning organ.

Passing the church, you walk to the junction into the valley of the Kiedricher Bach. Once there, follow the lively watercourse to the left below the village. After this first green passage, the RS touches the built-up area again. But then it turns right onto a path that climbs steadily up to the Scharfenstein ruin. Slightly out of breath, you arrive at the top and feel a touch of the Middle Ages as you circle the ruin. In addition, a magnificent panoramic view opens up over the Rheingau into the Rheinhessen uplands. Cheerfully, you continue and shortly after pass the "vineyard of marriage," where a vine is planted for every couple married in Kiedrich.

The RS now briefly enters the forest before descending with a right turn along the forest edge with a scenic view. At a multiple junction, a rest area invites you to pause at a particularly beautiful viewpoint. Then follow the RS to the left into the forest.

Now leisurely forest hiking is on the agenda. Passing the New Forester’s House, the RS descends into the Sülzbachtal. The descent ends at the bridge over the Sülzbach. Now turn right and stand in front of the Waldgasthaus Rausch, which invites you to a hearty meal in the green.

Well strengthened, continue the hike and enter the quiet forest valley of the Großer Buchgraben. At the end of a forest meadow, the RS swings right across the creek and now leads through the eastern slope flank of the valley. You steadily gain altitude on this wonderful path until you pass the junction to Rauenthal. From here, the RS heads back into the valley, where the Buchgraben is crossed again. At the confluence with the Bleichbach, the comfortable forest path forks, and the RS now climbs clearly to the right. Soon the steepest section is mastered, and with only a moderate incline, the RS leads onto a large meadow surrounded by forest. Orchard trees loosen up the area, and at a fork, a rest area invites you for a relaxed break. Afterwards, you hike to the nearby forest edge and reach the Großer Buchwaldgraben again. One last time, you cross to the other bank. Shortly after, the forest retreats to the right, and a loose orchard accompanies the RS to the next cross path at the forest edge. Here turn left and shortly after arrive at a well-maintained Kneipp facility. This healthy refreshment is hard to resist!

Refreshed, you continue walking through the tall mixed deciduous forest and cross a hilltop not far from the Helmut Wagner shelter. Now the RS descends comfortably, and slowly first sounds from the valley reach your ears. Several junctions are easily managed thanks to good markings until the forest setting opens, and you reach the edge of the spa district of Schlangenbad. You pass the Wandelhalle, turn left into Rheingauer Straße, and cross it. In sight of the famous Schlangenbrunnen, today’s hike ends.

Parking at the corner of Sonnenlandstr./Schulstr. or parking at the Old Cemetery in Mühlweg in Kiedrich.

Take the regional train to Eltville station. From there, take bus line 172 to Kiedrich (approx. 13 minutes), running at least once an hour every day.

Alternatively, you can also take the yellow-marked access path from Eltville station towards the Rheinsteig (3 km). However, this meets the Rheinsteig about 2.5 km beyond Kiedrich.

Return via bus line 173 from Schlangenbad to Eltville (approx. 20-25 minutes). The bus runs hourly Monday to Friday and every two hours on weekends and public holidays.

www.rheinsteig.de