Rheinsteig Stage 19: Johannisberg–Kiedrich (north–south)

 

Today's hike through the Riesling paradise begins near Johannisberg Castle, the cradle of the late harvest. Long stretches of the stage lead through a landscape shaped by winegrowing. The wonderful distant views inspire as well as the impressive walls of Schloss Vollrads. The cultural highlight, however, is Eberbach Abbey, where you should definitely take the time for a tour before heading over the mountain to the day's destination, Kiedrich.

Access: From the Oestrich-Winkel train station, an access path leads through the vineyards up to the Rheinsteig (RS). Alternatively, you can get to the RS from Johannisberg (bus connection). In the middle of the sea of ​​vines, you pick up the trail of the RS again. With a gentle gradient, the RS leads through the vineyards and soon you are in front of Vollrads Castle, famous for its wines. The RS continues the vineyard route with a few detours and soon passes the Gottesthal mill. With a prominent left turn, it goes slightly uphill to Kühns Mühle. Again and again, there are places to rest at the edge of the vineyards to linger and enjoy the view. After crossing the Dornbach, a meadow provides variety, but watch out: some aircraft can whizz around your ears here, because this is the airfield of a model club. A few meters further up, the RS reaches the edge of the forest and now leads east between the forest and the sea of ​​vines with great views. Walk past the Philippsburg hunting lodge to the refuge on the Susberg and, after a short rest, climb the mountain through the woods. Now you leave the vines behind and can hike through the forest and across open fields for a change. You arrive at Rebhangstraße, cross it and turn left until you reach the Rebenhang settlement. You quickly walk back into the forest via the Unkenbaumweg and come across an inviting rest area at the multiple crossing "Am Unkenbaum". However, the eponymous toad tree, an ancient oak, fell victim to a storm a long time ago. The RS now turns right and on the following, quiet forest passage you can let your thoughts wander until the forest recedes and you reach the "Steinberg" vineyard surrounded by a venerable wall. The view is once again magnificent as you hike down along the famous vineyard. Finally there is a steep descent through the forest and then the time has come: you are standing on the edge of the extensive complex of Eberbach Abbey! The RS leads through the middle of the monastery area, which is definitely worth a detailed visit. After all, it was Bernhard von Clairevaux 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 dives into the forest. After a short, steep ascent, you switch to a path parallel to the slope and can admire the monastery from a new perspective. Then there is the long ascent to the Honigberg. After a significant increase in altitude, you cross the crest in the middle of the forest and are happy when the RS leads out of the forest into the open field a little later. Soon the meadows give way to loose woods and finally you reach the vineyards again, which characterize today's stage. Now it won't be long before the first houses in Kiedrich are reached. At the end of the hike, on Marktstraße, in the heart of Kiedrich, there are picturesque half-timbered houses and rustic places to stop for refreshments to bring this exciting tour to a fitting end.