Rheinsteig Stage 8: Koblenz – Braubach 20km

by Martin Schlobach | Jan 12, 2019 | 1 comment

In this article I write about my eighth stage on the Rheinsteig from Koblenz through the Ruppertsklamm to Braubach. The article is part of my Rheinsteig series, here it goes to the stage overview and here it goes back to the seventh stage.

Important notes for the 8th stage

Are there shopping facilities on the 8th stage of the Rheinsteig?
In Koblenz you will find many shopping possibilities, as Koblenz with its 112.000 inhabitants is one of the biggest cities on the Rheinsteig. In Braubach there is a Netto supermarket, where you can fill up your foodbag. On the way from Koblenz to Braubach there are no direct shopping possibilities, only a small restaurant called “Zum Schleusenhäuschen”, which is not always open. 

Is it possible to refill water on the 8th stage of the Rheinsteig?
With a good water filter like the Saywer PointONE* you can refill and filter water in the Ruppertsklamm. In the restaurant “Zum Schleusenhäuschen” you can also fill up your water bottles when it is open.

Where can I spend the night on the 8th stage of the Rheinsteig?
In Braubach there are several hotels and guesthouses. On that day I stayed at the hotel “Zum Weissen Schwanen” because I still had a lot of pain and problems with my blisters. Alternatively there are 1.5 kilometres before and behind Braubach directly on the Rheinsteig refuge huts where an emergency campground can be set up. I’ve camped here before.

How is the marking of the route on the 8th stage of the Rheinsteig?
The labelling is very good and you can’t get lost.

Map – From Koblenz to Braubach

Koblenz at Sunrise

I leave the campground at the “Deutsches Eck” I go directly to a bakery to have a small breakfast. Afterwards the tour continues through the old town of Koblenz to the Rhine and back to the Rheinsteig. Koblenz at sunrise is really beautiful to see.

On the banks of the Rhine I see two employees of the public order office catching a wild camper and letting it go up. In Koblenz it is not recommended to camp wild.

Directly after Koblenz it goes with fantastic weather directly into the forest with incredibly beautiful nature in the direction of Ruppertsklamm. Even today I still have considerable pain from blisters on my feet, but they heal well.

Also my shoes that are too small stretch a little and adapt to my foot shape better and better. Through regular treatment of my feet and many small breaks I make progress. My next destination is the Ruppertsklamm refuge. 

The Ruppertsklamm

The Ruppertsklamm is a narrow valley of about one kilometre with a small stream cut into solid rock. I must confess that I didn’t expect very much from the Ruppertsklamm at the beginning, but was overwhelmed by the beauty of this beautiful gorge and the surrounding nature.

Whoever has the idea to take a shortcut to avoid the Ruppertsklamm will miss one of the most beautiful passages on the Rheinsteig. It is definitely worth walking through the Ruppertsklamm!

“The purpose of travelling is to get to a destination, the purpose of hiking is to be on the way.”

Theodor Heuss

From Lahnstein to Braubach

Behind the Ruppertsklamm you reach Lahnstein and walk along the Lahn river to the restaurant “Zum Schleusenhäuschen”. When the sluice house is open, you can have a great break here and get your strength back. Afterwards it goes on to Braubach.

A steep ascent then leads through a few small villages and beautiful nature. After a steep and demanding descent you reach Braubach and can finish the day’s stage.

Shortly before Braubach you have a breathtaking view of the Marksburg and the Rhine. There is also a shelter where you could set up an emergency campsite if nessecary.

Conclusion

In my opinion, the eighth stage is one of the most beautiful stages of the Rheinsteig. The way through the Ruppertsklamm with breathtaking nature, but also the final view of the Marksburg castle shortly before Braubach are true highlights of this stage.

Day trip: The route from Koblenz to Braubach can also be hiked very well as a single day trip. From Braubach there is a train that takes you back to Koblenz every hour. 

I hope with this article I could give you a little insight into the eighth 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