Seven scenic highlights of Europe’s spectacular Rhine Gorge

Germany’s World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge, also known as the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, is famed for its constellation of castles, but it has plenty of other charms.

1. Gorge on the beauty of the Rhine

One of Europe’s most spectacular stretches of river, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley or, more commonly, the Rhine Gorge, roughly begins at the picturesque German winemaking town of Ruedesheim am Rhein. This 67-kilometre long, UNESCO World Heritage-listed, medieval castle-studded route extends to Koblenz, one of Germany’s oldest cities. See ruedesheim.de

2. Soar above verdant vineyards

At Ruedesheim am Rhein, board the charming retro chairlift-cum-cable car, dating to the 1950s, at the station in the middle of town. This gently paced ride delivers its passengers to the hill above the town, which is dominated by Niederwalddenkmal, a large monument commemorating the unification of Germany in 1871. Along the way, glide above the terraced vineyards, a feature of the Rhine Gorge of this region renowned for its fine rieslings.
See seilbahn-ruedesheim.de

3. Drink in the panorama at the top

While the Niederwalddenkmal, which features a 12.5-metre tall allegorical statue of Germania and is decorated with detailed sculptures and reliefs depicting German history, is impressive, the views from here of the town and the river beyond are even more so. Rather than taking the return trip on the cable car, walk back down among the vines and to Ruedesheim am Rhein to your waiting river ship, in this case the recently launched and Australian-operated APT Ostara.

4. Keep your eyes out for the castle keeps

The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is home to an extraordinary number of historic castles, with the top deck of the Ostara providing the ideal platform from which to view them. There are more than 40 medieval fortresses, in various condition, towering above the banks of the so-called Romantic Rhine. One of the most imposing is the 13th-century Rheinfels Castle, set high above the river’s left bank at Sankt Goar, Germany.

5. Be inspired by the historic church spires

Although the sheer quantity of castles along the Rhine Gorge are the true scene-stealers there are countless historic cathedrals and churches closer to the banks, with their steeples rising high above their surrounding, low-level towns. One of the most colourful and more readily photographed is the early St Bartholomew’s Catholic church, a former Benedictine provost, with origins to the 13th century, at the pretty village of Hirzenach.

6. See the rock star of the Rhine Gorge

Rising 132 metres above a narrow and treacherous section of river, the Lorelei is a prominent slate rock formation, and the site of numerous shipwrecks that have inspired legends. Among them is that of Lorelei, the mythical lovelorn, golden-haired siren who lured all men to their death by her beauty and song. So distracted were the Rhine sailors by her charms that they failed to pay due attention to the dangerous currents in this section of the river, ultimately leading to disaster on rocky reefs.

7. Go completely around the bend

Closer to Koblenz and directly north of the town of Boppard is the striking geographic feature known as Bopparder Hamm, a bow or bend in the river. Difficult to discern from your slow-moving river ship, it’s a dramatic sight when viewed from one of the nearby lookouts such as Vierseenblick (a perfect reason for a return visit to explore this scenic corner of Germany). See boppard-tourismus.de

The writer was a guest of APT’s seven-night, eight-day “Highlights of the Rhine and Main” cruise between Amsterdam and Munich, from $3895 a person, not including flights.
Phone 1300 336 932. See aptouring.com

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