We tried to get another booking in our pension but all she had left was a room that had a shower and sink but no toilet.  The toilet was down 3 flights of stairs.  Yeah, not going to happen.  We checked with the pension across the street and they had a room available.  It is a bit more money, but we really want another day here, so we take it.  We just have to move our stuff about 100 meters down the road.

There is a chairlift in Assmannshauser that takes you up to the top of the hill where there are many hiking trails.  One takes you to Niederwalddenkmal

Allegory of Germania commemorates the Franco-Prussian War above Rüdesheim (next town from Assmannhauser)

This monument is HUGE.  We came out of the forest and were so taken by the view of the Rhine that we didn’t even notice the monument at first.  We look away from the view and look up and this massive structure.  Wow!

 

From the town on the other side of the hill, Rüdesheim, there is a gondola to bring people up to this spot.  Also buses bring people up here.  The views are stunning.

 

We start back down using the trails through the vineyards.  This reminds us of trekking the Amalfi Coast.  It is definitely the path less traveled.

 

 

 

There is a ruined castle on our way.  The map we are using leads us to believe that the trail goes past the old castle.

 

 

So when we come across a steep set of stairs it seems to be the way to go.  Apparently not!  It does take us to the castle ruins, but in order to get back to Assmannshauser we must go back UP those stairs.  It is doable 🙂

 

 

We make it back and find ourselves heading in the right direction to our town.  The views of the Rhine valley are stunning.  This river has a strong current running North, which seems odd to us.

 

We end the day by going to Rüdesheim where there is a wine festival being held.  This is where all the people are.  We have been very surprised that the little towns we have been through have so few people around.  Rüdesheim obviously has them all 🙂

20K on the fitbit!