Discover Loreley: cliffs, myths and trails
Accommodation in Loreley
At Loreley, dramatic rock formations meet literary history. At Rhine kilometre 555, the slate cliff lies on the inside of a narrow bend in the Rhine; here, the river is only 175 metres wide at the cliff. Loreley is the best-known of the narrow stretches in the Middle Rhine Valley and an integral part of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. Near Sankt Goarshausen, the cliff rises 125 metres (193.14 m above sea level). Geologically, it is about four million years old.
Rocky Landscape and the Loreley Myth
The female figure Loreley was brought to life in Clemens Brentano’s 1800 ballad “Zu Bacharach am Rheine”. Heinrich Heine published his poem “Loreley” in 1824; its content corresponds to the legend as it is known today. Anyone interested in the site’s cultural history can connect two literary milestones: Brentano’s ballad as the origin of the figure, and Heine’s poem as an expression of the legend still known today.
The Myth Hall uses a rock installation to show how the Loreley cliff was formed. The hall presents Loreley’s myths in seven chapters. Another architectural feature is the Glass Cliff, right at the tip of the Loreley rock. The Loreley Open-Air Stage is also part of the site’s history: it opened in June 1939 and is a venue for concerts and festivals on the rock. If you plan to visit for a particular concert or festival, check the dates before making your plans.
Viewpoints and Hiking Trails
The Loreley Cultural and Landscape Park is accessible to visitors with disabilities. Its viewpoints offer views into the canyon-like gorge of the Rhenish Slate Mountains. The Myth Trail leads to the park’s six viewpoints; the Strahlenweg provides direct access to the same six points. Both trails include the viewpoints, but follow different routes.
Hiking options in the Loreley region include the premium Rheinsteig trail, the Loreley Extra Tour, the Loreley Spuren circular trails and other scenic routes. The Rheinsteig passes directly by the Cultural and Landscape Park. The Loreley Extra Tour starts at the Loreley Visitor Centre and runs right alongside the attractions on the Loreley Plateau. These details offer different starting points for planning a hike around the park or the plateau’s attractions.
Exhibitions, Wine and Practical Information
Twenty information panels along the Loreley Wine Trail explain steep-slope viticulture, different grape varieties and the work of vineyard owners. The trail complements the views and mythology with an insight into winegrowing. The Tourist Information Centre also offers a free Loreley exhibition on the Loreley Plateau. Guided tours of Loreley last about an hour; this information can help you plan your day.
The Loreley shuttle bus connects Sankt Goarshausen with the Loreley Plateau. Check the timetable before travelling if you plan to use this service.
Once you have a clear idea of the experiences that matter to you, you can tailor your accommodation search to your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Bornich, Sankt Goarshausen, Sauerthal, Kamp-Bornhofen, Filsen, Braubach, Kestert, Dörscheid, Osterspai, Prath, Kaub.
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