Reichenberg: Castle, Trails and History

Reichenberg can be explored primarily through two themes: the medieval castle above the town and access to the Rheinsteig. Historical routes and bus connections also play a role when planning a stay.

Reichenberg Castle: Construction in Stages

Construction of Reichenberg Castle began in 1319 under Count Wilhelm I of Katzenelnbogen. The planned scope was not completed after his death in 1331. Following the division of the inheritance in 1352, Count Wilhelm II continued the work. The parts built during this later phase include an eastern section, a hall building, and residential wings. These dates show that the castle took shape over several construction phases.

Shield Wall, Hall Building and Access

The castle is a monument dating from the early 14th century. Its distinctive Mannerist shield-wall masonry is considered a special feature of late medieval castle construction. The shield wall is four metres thick and twenty metres high; its height is therefore five times its thickness. It is the most prominent surviving part of the complex. The surviving hall building also offers a specific architectural detail: its ceiling rests on cube capitals, meaning cube-shaped capitals.

The two towers represent later setbacks in the building's history: the former south tower collapsed in 1813, and the north tower in 1971. Today, the castle is privately owned and can only be viewed from the outside. Check current visitor access before your trip.

The Access Trail to the Rheinsteig

An official access trail leads from Reichenberg to the Rheinsteig, joining it in the Leiselfeld area. It has been in place since early September 2005. Along the way, you pass Hof Offenthal, the oldest part of Reichenberg, first documented in 1250. The trail also passes Bornsmühle, the youngest of the town's three mills. It dates from 1724. The years 1250 and 1724 place the two sites in different chapters of the town's history.

As the trail infrastructure may be temporarily affected by maintenance work, it is advisable to check access before your hike. This will help you plan around the route's current condition.

Other Trails and Historic Roads

The nearby Loreley Extra Tour is a certified circular route of just under 15 kilometres. A short section runs through the municipal area of Reichenberg. This distinguishes the route information from the description of the access trail to the Rheinsteig: the Extra Tour is a circular route, while the access trail leads to the Rheinsteig.

South of Reichenberg, an information stone marks an exposed section of the historic Hessen or Roman road. The road ran from Trier via a Rhine crossing near St. Goarshausen to Kassel. The stone identifies a locally situated section of this historic regional route.

Bus Connections and Tourist Information

Two details are particularly important when travelling by bus. Some bus services to Reichenberg operate on a call-and-ride basis and must be booked two hours in advance. The Regioline 580 runs daily from Reichenberg to St. Goarshausen or via Nastätten to Limburg. As timetables may change, check your connection before travelling.

Reichenberg does not have its own tourist office and is affiliated with Loreley Touristik GmbH. Check in advance for current tourist information points. Bus connections and tourist information are separate planning considerations: for travel, check the timetable; for information about the town, contact the responsible tourism organisation.

Reichenberg in the Wider Rhein-Lahn Destination

Within the wider Rhein-Lahn destination, the Rhein-Lahn district encompasses the area on the right bank of the Rhine around its confluence with the Lahn, as well as the Lahn Valley to just short of Limburg near Diez. Its geographical description also includes the southern foothills of the Westerwald towards the Lahn Valley and the northern uplands of the Taunus between the Rhine and the Aar.

The Roman Limes is also a topic at district level: it crosses the Rhein-Lahn district. Visible remains are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper German-Raetian Limes. This regional context complements the Reichenberg-specific themes of the castle, trails and local history.

Discover more destinations: Katzenelnbogen, Nassau, Diez, Balduinstein, Oberneisen, Loreley, Lahnstein, Bad Ems

Go to the main travel overview: Rhein-Lahn.