A good signposting is certainly important to all hikers. Who likes to get lost or makes detours? It's also fun to keep an eye out for the next marker. for the next marker. As a child, this used to be a playful competition with my sister. Claudia: Who discovers the next sign?
So I am grateful for the many, well-marked Hiwwelt tours, adventure trails and other hiking trails that exist in Rheinhessen there. When I read in the newspaper that the responsible project office at the Rhine-Selz municipality still needed volunteers for the control of the RheinTerrassenWegs it quickly became clear that this was something for us! Today, my husband Rainer and I are among the total of 37 volunteer path sponsors. We are responsible for the Stage Oppenheim - Nierstein as well as the Schwabsburg Castle circuit. In this way, we can wonderfully combine exercise in beautiful nature with a meaningful task: The path should be well signposted, inviting and safe for all hikers! So we are each spring and fall on Wegecheck on the road.
The main route of this stage leads through the vineyards from Oppenheim to Nierstein - or vice versa. There are yellow-marked access routes to and from the train stations of both towns to this main route. This makes it easy to travel by train in an environmentally friendly way. Not far from the tracks, information boards provide details about the trail, which covers a total of 75 kilometers from Mainz to Worms. As on the entire route, signposts on posts of various heights or affixed to lampposts, for example, show the way from there on. One of our tasks is to check that these are still in place, undamaged and correctly aligned.
Toads line the way in Oppenheim
From the Oppenheim train station, our path leads through the old town and past the market square up into the vineyards. My tip: Keep an eye out for toads! Some sit along Mainzer Straße, others cavort there in front of a fountain. At the market place they climb up the facade of the town hall. Of course, these are not real animals, but artistic versions of the city's landmark in metal. Why toads? Oppenheim is known beyond the borders of Rheinhessen for the Toad Fountain. This is the name of a fountain above the town that hikers pass on the stage from Guntersblum to Oppenheim. The water used to irrigate the vineyards also attracted many toads - hence the name.
Chapel Garden - hidden gem behind the church of St. Catherine
The Oppenheim marketplace with its wine tavern and gastronomy is worth a stop. My tip: A place of silence and the scent of flowers hides behind the massive St. Catherine's Churchwhich rises above the market square. An inconspicuous staircase leads up to the former sexton's garden (open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) next to St. Michael's Chapel, which covers 110 square meters. Herbs, perennials and flowers, including many historical species, bloom in the areas bordered by boxwood. Several benches invite visitors to linger and relax.
Continuing through the Gautor, passing the Old District Court on the left, the RheinTerrassenWeg leads north of the cemetery up to the ruins of Landskron Castle. From the remains of the castle, a bird's-eye view of the town opens up, as well as far-reaching views to the south and as far as the Odenwald. On the height it goes further towards Nierstein. The markings are often on posts next to the bushes along the way. Therefore, we always have a hedge trimmer in our luggage: If plants have grown over the signs, it comes into use. This way we can make small improvements ourselves and immediately.
Resting place with a wide view: Lobster Valley
Soon you will reach one of the one of the rest areas that invites you to stop: Am Hummertal. This place pleases I particularly like this place, because the view sweeps over the vines in a north to the Rhine in its bed. To the left of it lies Nierstein overlooked by the Kilian church. At the top of the hill the Wartturm and Mainz in the distance.
At the Hummertal rest area there are three tables several meters long and six benches. Here, even larger groups can comfortably find space for a picnic. Checking whether the furniture is still in good condition is also one of the tasks of the path sponsors. If there is any damage, we report it in our inspection protocol, an Excel spreadsheet. We also provide documentation photos. In this way, experts can be commissioned to carry out the necessary repairs.
We also always have a bag with us to dispose of beverage cans, wrappers and other trash. Wouldn't be nice if each of us would pack up what we have brought with us so that the next the next hikers find the place inviting and clean?
From the Hummer valley it goes downhill, past a winery to Nierstein. The tour becomes particularly charming tour becomes particularly attractive in the old town: the idyllic Fronhof with its historic houses, the Protestant Church of St. Martin with its lovingly laid-out garden garden and finally the idyllic market square with inviting cafés and restaurants.
Castle Schwabsburg round: Up to the keep
Themed circuits complement the main route of the RheinTerrassenWeg. The 5.4-kilometer Schloss-Schwabsburg loop falls within the scope of our trail sponsorship. This starts from southern Nierstein to Schwabsburg, which has been part of the municipality since 1970. The route returns via the heights of the Rote Hang before rejoining the main trail at the Fockenberghütte.
The green-blue markings lead you first through allotments along the Flügelsbach, past paddocks to Schwabsburg. Through the village you go up to the castle tower. The free-standing keep used to belong to a castle complex that was probably built by the Staufers in the 12th century and destroyed in the 17th century during the 30 Years' War. The ascent is again rewarded with a magnificent distant view.
Then it continues up into the vineyards. Now the RheinTerrassenWeg runs quite a distance parallel to the new Wine Experience Trail Red Slope. Soon you will reach refuges: First the Schlossberg hut, then the Roter Hang hut. Both offer shelter in the rain and protect you from the sun in the summer. There are also inviting outdoor tables, benches and even loungers. Unfortunately, every time we have to note in the minutes that graffiti "decorate" the huts.
After another climb, you will reach the Wartturm, which is over ten meters high, to the north in the Roter Hang. The medieval signal tower from the 12th century served the winegrowers for a long time as an observation center to protect their vines from starlings. Today, it is a landmark of Nierstein, visible from afar, and the highest vantage point in the vineyards. So that you can enjoy the far-reaching view, there are various bench sets to the north and south of the tower.
Before the Schloss Schwabsburg trail rejoins the main route of the RheinTerrassenWeg at the Fockenberghütte, a particularly large number of beautiful plants grow among the vines. Our path sponsorship has also contributed to this: we observe our surroundings even more closely. We notice natural beauties, path stones and other special features that we probably would have carelessly walked past in the past.
Interested to become a path sponsor as well?
The RheinTerrassenWeg between Mainz and Worms is divided into eight trail sponsorship stages. The current total of 37 trail sponsors support the care and maintenance of the trail on a voluntary basis. Twice a year, they walk along "their stage" to check it and repair minor damage. In addition, they document with photos in a log where major repairs are necessary.
Contact: Project Office RheinTerrassenWeg, c/o Municipal Administration Rhein-Selz, Staff Office Tourism Service Center (TSC) Rhein-Selz, Sant' Ambrogio-Ring 33, 55276 Oppenheim, E-mail: tourismus@vg-rhein-selz.de, www.tourismus-rhein-selz.de.
