Rheinsteig Stage 3: Bad Honnef – Linz 17km

by Martin Schlobach | Oct 24, 2018 | 0 comments

In this article I write about my third day on the Rheinsteig from Bad Honnef to Linz am Rhein. After I slept in the youth hostel of Bad Honnef and was able to treat my feet well, I went to Linz am Rhein today. The article is part of my Rheinsteig series, here it goes to the stage overview and here back to the 2nd stage.

Important notes for the 3rd stage

Are there shopping facilities on the 3rd stage of the Rheinsteig? In Bad Honnef and in Linz am Rhein there are shopping facilities and restaurants. In the youth hostel Bad Honnef you can have an extra breakfast for a few euros. The breakfast buffet is not special, but it fills you up. After about 7 km (4.3 miles) you reach the Haanhof estate, where you will find a box with small drinks and snacks for hikers. Is it possible to refill water on the 3rd stage of the Rheinsteig? There is also water in the drinks and snack box for hikers at Gut Haanhof (approx. 7 km /4.3 miles behind Linz), otherwise just ask at Gut Haanhof. Where can I spend the night on the 3rd stage of the Rheinsteig? There are many rooms and hotels in Linz am Rhein, but they are expensive. However, one should always be able to find accommodation. One possibility for emergency/ wild camping is about 2 km behind Linz at a sports field (see map). How is the marking of the route on the 3rd stage of the Rheinsteig? The path is well signposted, so you can’t get lost.

Map – From Bad Honnef to Linz

The Rheinsteig is not easy

It is the third day on the Rheinsteig and my blisters could recover well. After breakfast in the youth hostel I set off again. It goes straight into the forest and permanently up and down, which is damn hard. At this moment I also realize that the next two weeks will most likely go on in the same way.

Shortly before Unkel I take a first break on a meadow at Gut Haanhof. There is a box with snacks and drinks for hikers on the Rheinsteig. Perfect to recharge your batteries and take a deep breath. Afterwards it goes uphill and downhill again, through forests, over meadows and through small villages. 

Adaptation of the travelling budget

Actually, I have planned to sleep in my tent again for the coming night, but I receive a thunderstorm warning with strong thunderstorms from the German Weather Service. Since the storms in the last weeks have been very bad, I decide to take a room in Linz without further hesitation.

Everyone complains about the weather. But nobody can be found, who does something about it. Mark Twain

Here I also realize that the Rheinsteig is not a pilgrimage on the Way of St James, because the prices for rooms are very high. I pay 70€ for one night, which is pretty damn much for a hiking vacation. Compared to the Way of St. James you pay 5 – 15€ per night in the Albergues. To my satisfaction, however, I have to say that the room in Linz is damn good 😀

Before I go to the hotel, I make a visit to the St. Martin pharmacy in Linz to cover myself with new Compeed blister plasters. After I arrived at the hotel, I began to treat my feet. After three days on the Rheinsteig they look very catastrophic, but thanks to a good blister management I am able to treat my feet well.  Afterwards I go to the local Italian restaurant and order a pizza and a beer.

Summary of the third stage

As I sit in the restaurant, I feel really good and enjoy life to the fullest. I am tired and have pain, but the difficulties of the hike awaken something in me that deeply fulfills me. Tomorrow I try to reach the youth hostel in Leutesdorf. A 29 km stretch, with a good elevation profile. Even if that’s the plan, I don’t know if I can make that distance at the moment. I fall into my bed exhausted in the early evening and fall asleep quickly. The day’s insight: The Rheinstein is hard – damn hard! Here it goes directly to the 4th stage.

I hope with this article I could give you a little insight into the third stage of the Rheinsteig. If you like this article, I’m happy about a Like, a heart or a smile on your face. If you have questions, suggestions or criticism, I’m looking forward to your comments. Greetings, Martin