Stahlberg loop

The circular route starts in the Malerwinkel of Bacharach, one of the most romantic areas of the historic town centre, characterized by old half-timbered houses and winding alleys. The Münzbach partly flows openly through the town here.

The route climbs steeply towards Stahleck Castle, which looms impressively over the town. But after a few meters of ascent, a detour to the Werner Chapel is worthwhile. The listed ruin stands picturesquely on the slope and offers a first view over the roofs of Bacharach towards the Rhine.

Stahleck Castle houses a youth hostel. This allows a first scenic break on the outdoor terrace behind the castle gate. The Stahlberg loop continues behind the castle up the slope so that you can even look over the castle tower roof at the Rhine and the surrounding vineyards.

Now it goes parallel to the slope into the Steeger Valley via quiet forest paths and through an animal enclosure. The old wine village Bacharach-Steeg with the St. Anna Church literally lies at the hiker’s feet. The ruin of Stahlberg Castle (not to be confused with Stahleck Castle overlooking Bacharach) is repeatedly in view, first passing it on the opposite slope. An old slate tunnel by the roadside allows an external glimpse into the cave interior.

Finally, the hiker crosses the Münzbach to come ever closer to Stahlberg Castle on the other side of the slope via old farm roads from abandoned vineyards and an exciting path past a slate rock face. The old walls should definitely be explored. Over a narrow wooden bridge, the hiker reaches the interior of the castle, from which parts of the ring wall, remains of a rectangular tower, and a round tower are still preserved. A resting place in the courtyard of the ruin invites a next scenic rest with a fantastic view into the Steeger Valley.

The path continues to the Dorweiler Bach and leads after crossing it upwards to a high plateau – an outlier of the Hunsrück. Here the hiker experiences an impressive expanse. Over paths bordered by trees and bushes, the Stahlberg loop gradually heads back to the Rhine, up to the Heinrich-Heine-Höhe with a magnificent view of Bacharach and the Rhine Valley as far as Trechtingshausen. On the descent via the Orionsteig, named after a rare butterfly species found here, the path runs along old city wall remains and watchtowers down to the old town. There the hiker finds numerous places to stop for refreshments.