Round Tower of Stahleck Castle – Eselspfad Trail loop from Bacharach
Round Tower of Stahleck Castle – Eselspfad Trail loop from Bacharach
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Round Tower of Stahleck Castle – Eselspfad Trail loop from Bacharach
03:04
10.6km
270m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: August 27, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
Please check local regulations for:
UNESCO Welterbe Oberes Mittelrheintal
Waypoints
Start point
Train Station
382 m
Bacharach town wall and Stahleck Castle
Highlight • Castle
Of the original 16 city gates, 9 are still standing.
These can be explored on the city wall trail, which offers many beautiful views of the city.
Highly recommended!
Construction of the city wall began in 1344 and was completed around 1400. The city was now enclosed by a semicircular defensive wall with 16 towers. Four of the towers were destroyed by the French in 1689. In the 19th century, under the influence of Napoleonic laws, the main street (today Oberstraße) was widened by setting back the houses, resulting in the demolition of two more towers.
The gate towers (from north to south: Münztor, Markttor, Krahntor) were originally open to the inside, but were later rebuilt with timber framing and partially used as residences.
In the southern wall, which climbs the slope of the Kühlberg hill in a wide arc towards Stahleck Castle, only the low Hutturm tower remains. In the northern wall, which runs through the vineyards along the slope of the opposite Vogtberg hill, stands the Postenturm tower, originally rebuilt in 1899 as a water reservoir. This function has since been abandoned, and the tower facing the town has been reopened. Today, it is one of the few towers open to the public. From here, there is a remarkable view of the Rhine Valley.
The wooden gate (Steegertor) at the western corner of the fortifications has retained its original roof and timber-framed structure. To the south, a remnant of the original wooden roof over the parapet walk can be seen. Halfway up the slope between the wooden gate and Stahleck Castle stands the Liebesturm (Love Tower).
Source:
bacharach.de/stadtinformationen/stadtrundgang/die-stadtbefestigung
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445 m
Round Tower of Stahleck Castle
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City walls with information panels.
End point of the 3rd and starting point of the 4th stage of the World Heritage Trail.
Descent to the train station.
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466 m
Eselspfad Trail
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518 m
View of the Rhine at Bacharach
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1.37 km
View of Bacharach and the Rhine
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1.64 km
View of the Rhine Valley vineyards
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4.02 km
View of Bacharach, the Rhine, and Stahleck Castle
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6.57 km
View of the Rhine and the ruins of Fürstenberg Castle
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10.6 km
End point
Train Station
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
8.34 km
1.10 km
671 m
461 m
Surfaces
4.04 km
3.44 km
1.70 km
847 m
504 m
< 100 m
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Highest point (260 m)
Lowest point (80 m)
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Saturday 10 October
16°C
7°C
29 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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