Trechtingshausen: Castles, History and Hiking Trails

Trechtingshausen can be explored through two nearby castles and trails in the Morgenbach Valley. Rheinstein Castle and Reichenstein Castle, along with St. Clement’s Chapel on the riverbank, are considered cultural highlights near the village. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between the two castles: Rheinstein tells the story of its history as a customs castle in the 14th century; Reichenstein combines a location above the Rhine with a museum, architecture and a different historical story. There is also a circular hiking trail and a stage of the RheinBurgenWeg.

Rheinstein Castle: Tour and Access

Rheinstein Castle was built as a customs castle in the 14th century. You can explore the castle on your own: an information system and a floor plan guide you through the complex. Access from the parking lot is part of planning your visit. From there, a 380-metre-long, continuously uphill footpath leads to the castle; it takes about six to ten minutes on foot. Rheinstein Castle is not wheelchair accessible. The path length, uphill gradient and accessibility are therefore important points to consider when planning your visit.

Reichenstein Castle: Museum, History and Location

Reichenstein Castle stands on a rocky outcrop almost directly above the Rhine. Its museum focuses on knights and the romantic appeal of the Rhine and offers an audio guide. The collections include armour, weapons and hunting trophies from around the world, as well as decorative tiles from the Rheinböllerhütte. Different groups of exhibits are displayed side by side: items related to armour and hunting on the one hand, and decorative stove tiles on the other. The castle was rebuilt as a Neo-Gothic residential castle between 1899 and 1902 and opened to the public in 1936. History, nature and views come together on the grounds. Children can dress up in the knights’ room and ride a wooden horse. Restaurant Puricelli focuses on seasonal cuisine and locally sourced ingredients.

Circular Trails, Chapel and Hiking

St. Clement’s Chapel below Reichenstein adds its own story: it is associated with two local origin stories, one of which is linked to Reichenstein’s robber-knight history. The local circular hiking trail connects both castles and the chapel with the Morgenbach Valley, the surrounding valleys and the Schweizerhaus viewpoint. Trechtingshausen is also a place for hiking and climbing near the forests and rocks of the Morgenbach Valley. If you would rather plan a stage than a circular route, the RheinBurgenWeg offers a section from Bingen to Trechtingshausen. This gives you a choice between a local circular route with several stops and a stage between Bingen and Trechtingshausen.

Getting There by Train

You can also travel by the Mittelrheinbahn. The journey from Bingen Hbf to Trechtingshausen takes about four minutes; Trechtingshausen is the first stop after Bingen Hbf. It takes approximately five to seven minutes to walk from Trechtingshausen station to Reichenstein Castle. Check the timetable before travelling, as journey times and stopping patterns may change. The route to Reichenstein and access to Rheinstein are different: the walking time to Reichenstein refers to the route from the station, while the uphill footpath to Rheinstein starts at the parking lot.

Discover more destinations: Engelstadt, Ober-Olm, Gau-Algesheim, Wintersheim, Ober-Hilbersheim, Niederheimbach, Wolfsheim, Guntersblum

View the regional travel overview: Mainz-Bingen.