Kamp-Bornhofen: Rafting tradition on the Rhine

Kamp-Bornhofen lies between Rhine kilometres 567 and 569 within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. The town preserves the traditions of raftsmen and boatmen, as well as Rhine customs and festivals. Alongside the river landscape, the stories and customs of the Rhine are also part of what makes this destination distinctive. If you would like to plan your visit around a particular festival, check its date in advance.

Hiking and local history

Kamp-Bornhofen is considered a starting point and base for a variety of local and regional hikes; routes can begin right in town. If hiking is important to your trip, this may be a useful factor when choosing where to stay. Also consider how much local history and Rhine customs you would like to include in your itinerary.

The local history museum and the Raftsmen and Boatmen Museum explore the town’s history and the heritage of raftsmen and boatmen. The museums thus add the history of Kamp-Bornhofen and its life by the river to the picture of local traditions. If you would like to explore these topics in more depth, plan a museum visit and check current opening hours in advance.

The wider Rhine-Lahn destination

The geographical scope of the Rhein-Lahn district, within the wider Rhine-Lahn destination, extends from the area on the right bank of the Rhine at the mouth of the Lahn, along the Lahn Valley to just before Limburg near Diez. It also includes the southern foothills of the Westerwald descending towards the Lahn Valley, as well as the northern uplands of the Taunus between the Rhine and the Aar. The Roman Limes also runs through the district. Its remains are still visible today and form part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley covers a 65-kilometre stretch between Bingen, Rüdesheim and Koblenz, featuring historic small towns, terraced vineyards and castle ruins. The section on the right bank of the Rhine from Kaub to Lahnstein lies within the Rhein-Lahn district. Kamp-Bornhofen is also within this World Heritage Site; the broader regional perspective brings other landscapes and cultural themes into view.

The Loreley Rock lies within the Loreley collective municipality in the Rhein-Lahn district; its villages and towns belong to the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Marksburg Castle is also located within the Loreley collective municipality. It is the only medieval hilltop castle on the Middle Rhine that has never been destroyed. Both examples offer different ways to explore the history and World Heritage of the wider destination.

In Bad Ems, a historic spa ensemble comprising the Kurhaus, Kursaal, villas, former hotels, churches, a spa park and historic panoramic trails preserves the history of the spa town. The ensemble is part of the “Historic Spa Town of Ems” conservation area. The Bad Ems Spa and Town Museum explores the history of what was once a world-famous spa; the Mining Museum tells the story of miners’ lives. The Emser Therme offers wellness experiences using thermal water from healing springs and a riverside sauna.

Wine and architectural history are also among the region’s themes: Riesling grapes grow on the steep slopes of the Middle Rhine in the Loreley area and are made into high-quality wines. Oranienstein Castle near Diez was built in the 17th and 18th centuries as a widow’s residence; direct ancestors of the Dutch royal family once lived there. Guided tours let you visit historic rooms and the Nassau-Orange Museum. Advance reservations by phone or email are required.

The experiences you have planned can thus provide a natural guide to choosing where to stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Dörscheid, Filsen, Kestert, Sauerthal, Kaub, Osterspai, Sankt Goarshausen, Prath.

Back to the wider travel overview: Loreley.