The third stage of the Rheinsteig (RS), which leads to Johannisberg, begins at Marktstraße in Kiedrich. The logos quickly guide you to the edge of town, where vineyards initially flank the RS. Then you hike steadily uphill through bushes and meadows until the RS turns left into the forest. The Honigberg is crossed, and now you noticeably walk downhill. When the forest recedes, the RS bends right and offers the first views into the Kisselbachtal and to the venerable Eberbach Abbey. Once again, you enter the forest and go briefly but steeply downhill to the brook, then walk along the abbey wall to the northern entrance. A simple wooden gate grants access to the former Cistercian monastery founded by Bernhard of Clairvaux in 1136. The complex is still very impressive today, and you should definitely plan time for a thorough tour.

The RS leads windingly through the monastery grounds, passes the basilica and orangery, and leaves the monastery through the baroque portal at the gatehouse. At the edge of the parking lot, a signpost points uphill into the forest. After a short, brisk ascent, you reach the forest edge and walk briefly along the wall of the famous vineyard "Steinberg." You gain height and are soon inspired by the magnificent panoramic view over the Rheingau.

Then the RS dips again into the forest, giving time to process the manifold impressions. You continue to gain height until the rest area at the junction by the former Unkenbaum (the tree has long since fallen victim to a storm) offers an opportunity to pause. From the Unkenbaum, you hike to the nearby Rebhang settlement, make a small loop, and after crossing Rebhangstraße, you can immerse yourself in a varied mix of hedges, meadows, and bushes. The RS winds very enjoyably to the Susberg, on whose flank a shelter hut is available for resting. Now the RS runs along the forest edge and, as a boundary walker between forest and vineyards, you luxuriate in the wide views over the Rheingau vine sea. Past the hunting lodge Philippsburg, you follow the forest edge even as the RS bends left downhill. You then pass a well-kept meadow used as an airfield for a model club.

At another shelter hut, you walk right, cross the Dornbach, enjoy the view, and after some bends reach Kühns Mühle, which offers overnight accommodation and whose restaurant is open in the evenings.

After a short descent, the RS bends right at Gottesthaler Mühle, which also provides accommodation, and now leads straight through the vineyards. After some bends, you reach the next cultural highlight: directly on the path rises the impressive Schloss Vollrads. In a historic setting, there is the opportunity to stop by, and where could Riesling be better tasted than in the middle of the vineyard paradise? Afterwards, you continue following the RS through the vineyards until you end today's stage near Johannisberg at the junction of the marked side path to Oestrich-Winkel.

Side path: There is a marked side path from the RS to the Oestrich-Winkel train station. Alternatively, there is a bus connection in Johannisberg.

Free parking spaces in Eltville on the Rhine bank.

The starting point (Sonnenlandstraße stop) is best reached by local bus (RMV line 172) from Eltville station.

www.rheinsteig.de