DAY 10 #Bingen > #Rüdesheim ⛴️. I took the early car ferry this morning to get to Rüdesheim, on the opposite shore of the #Rhine. I was adamant to walk the @hildegardvonbingen_pilgern to the last meter, so I set off for the 7km long alternative Hildegard von Bingen tour, adding some extra loops to the Germania Denkmal and the Cloister tour, before arriving at the St. Hildegard Monastery. As can be expected from a monastery the vibe was very relaxed and I enjoyed some küche & tee, bought a book on Hildegard, and continued my tour. I visited the church containing the shrine of Hildegard and continued my way to Rüdesheim am Rhein, a cute but overly touristic village. I didn't linger too long and took the car ferry back to enjoy a drink on the hotel terrace with a magnificent view on the Mausenturm, the Binger Wald in the distance, Erhenfels Castle ruins, the vineyard slopes, and the point where the Nahe falls into the Rhine. August 2024.

#hiking #hikingingermany #hikingineurope #pilgrimage #hildegardofbingen #hildegardvonbingen #hildegard

DAY 9 @hildegardvonbingen_pilgern Bingen. Once I arrived in #Bingen am #Rhein, my Hildegard von Bingen pilgrimage wasn't over yet. I visited the #Rupertsberg church where Hildegard used to live after she left #Disibodenberg Monastery. After checking in at the hotel I went up to the Rochusberg with the Rochuskapelle, the Oblatencloister, and a magnificent view on the Rhine. After a well deserved dinner at Riverside (a vegan chicken burger and my first glass of Riesling) I did a last tour of the old town and Burg Klopp before returning to the hotel. Tomorrow a mini Hildegard von Bingen Pilgern Weg in Rüdesheim, at the opposite side of the Rhine. August 2024.

#hiking #hikingingermany #hikingineurope #pilgrimage #hildegardofbingen #hildegardvonbingen #hildegard

DAY 8 @hildegardvonbingen_pilgern Stromberg > #Bingen am Rhein 19,5km, +385m. I wanted to enjoy my last day on the trail to the fullest, so I was up and ready to go at sunrise! After getting the bus at 7am as a single passenger with the super friendly Spanish bus driver I hiked to REWE to get breakfast. It was a chilly morning (13°C) bit warming up quickly. I had 2nd breakfast in Wald-Erbach where I was lucky someone opened the church, a real gem. About halfway the section I entered the Binger Wald with it's SteckeSchläägerklamm, a section of the trail following the Hasselbach where troll are carved out in the trees. From there the trail goes through the #Morgenbachtal, probably the most beautiful part of the whole trail 😍. After enjoying the view at Damianskopf I reloaded on sugar with a vegan carrot cake at Forsthaus Heiligkreuz. Enough energy for the final descent to Bingen am Rhein. August 2024.

#hiking #hikingingermany #hikingineurope #pilgrimage #hildegardofbingen #hildegardvonbingen #hildegard

DAY 7 @hildegardvonbingen_pilgern Spabrücken (Weissenfels campsite) > Stromberg (Aumühlr campsite) 12km, +100m. I was out of breakfast and only had an energy bar left, so I packed up early and set to Stromberg in a fast pace. Luckily I found some snacks along the way in the form of plums, apricots, and blackberries. I passed the absolutely picturesque village of Schöneburg halfway and reached Stromberg around 10.30am. Perfect time for a snack (küche & tee) after visiting the church first to get my pilgrim stamp. The afternoon was spent getting some real food in the REWE and visiting Burg Gollenfels and Stromburg. The 2km walk to the Aumühle campsite was a bit of a challenge since the safest way was via the abandoned train tracks, but I treated myself to a vegan Ben&Jerries Cookie Dough at arrival 😀. Tomorrow final day of the trail already 🥲. August 2024.

#hiking #hikingingermany #hikingineurope #pilgrimage #hildegardofbingen #hildegardvonbingen #hildegard

DAY 6 @hildegardvonbingen_pilgern #Burgsponheim > Spabrücken (Weissenfels campsite) 16km, +350m. From the Erbacher Weingut guesthouse I had a wonderful view on #Sponheim and it's monastery. The church with herbal garden was the perfect spot to relax. From there it was an easy hike through vineyards, fields, forests, and orchards. There was plenty to snack on the way: apples, plums, apricots, and blackberries. The little church in Dalberg was very cozy and quiet and I took a lunch break at the Dalberg castle ruin a bit further up. From there only another 2km to Spabrücken, an centuries old pilgrimage center. Arriving early at the campsite to prepare lunch and read a bit :). August 2024.

#hiking #hikingingermany #hikingineurope #pilgrimage #hildegardofbingen #hildegardvonbingen #hildegard

DAY 5 @hildegardvonbingen_pilgern Odernheim am Glan > Burgsponheim (Weingut Erbacher Hof) 20km, +500m. After a good breakfast at the local bakery I set for the trail which mainly went through vineyards and meadows. The church garden in Duchroth had some beautiful wooden art statues and I got another pilgrim stamp 😀. After crossing the Luitpoldbrücke at Oberhausen an der Nahe I was starting to get hungry, so looking forward to some shop or bakery. I finally found a Rewe in Waldböckelheim where I got a fresh dose of cakes 😅. From there it was only a few more kms to my guestroom in Burgsponheim. A last climb to visit the castle ruin there before heading to Erbacher Hof for a shower, a fresh Kilner radler and some snacks. August 2024.

#hiking #hikingingermany #hikingineurope #pilgrimage #hildegardofbingen #hildegardvonbingen #hildegard

DAY 4 @hildegardvonbingen_pilgern Monzingen (Nahemühle camping) > Odernheim an Glan (Biohof Bannmühle pilgrim room) 18km, +150m. After an initial climb out of Monzingen, the rest of the trail stayed quite flat on a plateau between the vineyards or the valley plains. Lunch was a tasty cherry cake in Bad Sobernheim which gave me enough energy to climb up to #Disibodenberg Kloster Ruin, where Hildegard von Bingen spent 40 years of her nun life. The ruin was absolutely worth the visit. Luckily the little museum opened as well and I got my first stamp in my pilgrim's booklet 😅. From the Ruin it was only a few more km's to Bannmühle Hof where I got a pilgrim's room all to myself. Time for a little reading and off to bed early. August 2024.

#hiking #hikingingermany #hikingineurope #pilgrimage #hildegardofbingen #hildegardvonbingen #hildegard

DAY 3 @hildegardvonbingen_pilgern Kirn (Papiermühle camping) > Monzingen (Nahemühle camping) 22km, +500m. After a good oatmeal breakfast at the campsite I got on my way in a drizzle that lasted until noon. The first part of the trail went through the beautiful forest that reminded me of the #Soonwaldsteig a few years ago. I passed by St. Johannisberg and Nahe-Skywalk with a view on the Nahe valley and the old quarries. I also did a little detour to visit the Dhaun Castle which was well worth it. From Simmertal onward the trail goes mainly through vineyards. No Küche und Tee in any of the villages, so dinner at the campsite tonight 😅. August 2024.

#hiking #hikingingermany #hikingineurope #pilgrimage #hildegardofbingen #hildegardvonbingen #hildegard

DAY 2 @hildegardvonbingen_pilgern Herrstein > Kirn, 16km, +350m. I had a surprisingly good night at the camping car parking and went for a good sugary breakfast in Herrstein's bakery. The first stop op the trail was Niederhosenbach, presumably the birth place of Hildegard von Bingen. I got my first pilgrim stamp at a pilgrim rest place by 'von de Gerhardts' and continued the trail that went mostly over gently rolling hills between meadows and farmland. Not that exciting but perfect to let your mind wander. From Bergen onward the trail goes to lush forests with a deeply carved valley. Definitely my favourite part of today. In #Kirn I went up to the Kyberg ruin for a tea & cake and did a little city tour. Unfortunately no response from my #warmshower hosts so I walked an additional 1.5km to the Papiermühle campsite. August 2024.

#hiking #hikingingermany #hikingineurope #pilgrimage #hildegardofbingen #hildegardvonbingen #hildegard

DAY 1 @hildegardvonbingen_pilgern #Idar-Oberstein > Herrstein, 20km, +700m. I left the Schlossschenke Hotel early in the morning to be met with a nice climb up to Oberstein Castle. From there the trail goes up and down through meadows and forests all the way to Herrstein. After an apple cake and tea in a cozy hidden café next to the Hankelbrunnen I did a tour in the old center of Herrstein. No free Gästezimmer or campsite, so spending the night on a grass patch next to the parking for mobilhomes 😅. August 2024.

#hiking #hikingingermany #hikingineurope #pilgrimage #hildegardofbingen #hildegardvonbingen #hildegard