In Vino Sanitas (health in wine) – Riesling Loops

Hooray. It is finished. The 14th and final Riesling loop. We started at the train station in Geisenheim, where there is plenty of free parking. And then counterclockwise, always following the signs - almost always, because this was actually the only loop that wasn't 100% signposted in all places - we had to look at Komoot every now and then. A leisurely hike with many beautiful views. And the highlight of this tour: the great company from @Manuela 📸 and @Frank🚶🏼‍♂️ & Silke🚶🏼‍♀️: Thank you for the wonderful day. At the end we went to the Plattenstübchen and then took a look at the cathedral, which is worth seeing. You can find my other Riesling bows here: https://www.komoot.de/collection/2437723/-14-riesling-schleifen-rheingau official description: https://www.outdooractive.com/de/route/hike/wiesbaden-rheingau/riesling-schleife-in-vino-sanitas/800655971/ When you think about the beneficial effects of the vine, the gentle climb to the most beautiful wine view on the Rothenberg becomes even easier. With a view of St. Hildegard Monastery, the path leads through the vineyards and crosses the country road at the "Neuer Friedhof" parking lot. The “Geisenheimer Heide” protected area offers pleasant shade before the rest area at Leideck with a view of the Rhine, vines and the Rhine-Hesse side invites you to linger. Afterwards it's easy to stroll downhill through the Fuchsberg and Mäuerchen vineyards - past the experimental vineyards of the Geisenheim University. The Eduard-Von-Lade-Park, lined with old trees, honors the founder of what was then the Royal Prussian Training Institute for Fruit and Viticulture.

The Riesling Loops (https://www.rheingau.com/rieslingschleifen) are beautiful even in winter. There are few, if any, shady sections and lovely panoramic views. We've already hiked all 14 Riesling Loops (some of them even twice). You can find our hikes here: https://www.komoot.com/de-de/collection/2313638/-rieslingschleifen Today we hiked the "In Vino Sanitas" loop again. This time, however, we didn't start at the train station, but from the Rheinwiesen parking lot. It occurred to us too late that we could have hiked it in the opposite direction this time. It was a lovely hike with plenty of sunshine and temperatures around 6°C.

Even in ancient times, it was known that wine contains not only 'veritas' but also a great deal of 'sanitas' 🥳. The grapevine was named medicinal plant of the year in 2023 👍. 'Wine, enjoyed in moderation, heals and deeply delights people through its great power and warmth,' the Benedictine nuns at St. Hildegard's Abbey already knew 🤗. With that in mind: 🍷🍷🍷

Done! All 14 Rhine loops hiked. From next week, I'll continue with the remaining 7 stages on the Rheinsteig. Today's tour, duration 2:40 hours

The Riesling loop in Vino Sanitas. I start in the Rheingau in beautiful Geisenheim. Here I park my car at the train station and walk west along the train tracks. I take the underpass at the train station to get to the other side (north). Then we go past the Grimm winery towards the Geisenheim high-rise buildings, which I think is an architectural eyesore in this beautiful Rheingau. I walk uphill past the high-rise buildings towards the vineyards. I walk downhill towards the west, swing around the bend and see the beautiful St. Hildegard Abbey on the mountain opposite. A little later I come out to the viewing point on the Rothenberg, from which you have a fantastic view of Bingen and Rüdesheim with their associated vineyards. From this vantage point the nature of the path also changes, from a farm path in the vineyards to a path past a cordoned off area that was used as a mining area in the past. A little later I emerge into the middle of the vineyards. Because it had rained earlier, I waited through the mud through the vineyards until I felt a slightly better paved path under my feet a little later. With the Abbey of Saint Hildegard always in my left eye, I walk straight north. After changing direction a few times in the vineyard, I come to the cemetery in Geisenheim, where I cross the federal road that leads to Presberg and Marienthal Monastery. I continue to walk towards the Saint Hildegard Monastery. Ahead, past an allotment area, the Blaubach rushes along on my left. From the vineyards I now go into the forest. At an allotment in the forest, I turn left over the Blaubach and inevitably come to the Rheinsteig, which leads from Marienthal towards the Abbey of St. Hildegard. The Klostersteig, which I have already walked in one go, also runs here. The Klostersteig is also highly recommended, it is around 38 km long and can therefore be divided into two stages in a very practical way and you still have the opportunity to spend the night in the Rheingau and combine delicious Rheingau food with the fantastic Rheingau Riesling . A little later, however, the paths separate again, as the Klostersteig and Rheinsteig turn right towards the Monastery of St. Hildegard, while I continue the path through the vineyards towards the Rhine On my way down to the Rhine I see Johannisberg Castle Throne on the left side, Germania in the distance on the right side and the Sankt Hildegard Monastery on the mountain to the right. Now, in winter, the vineyards are of course a little dreary because no leaves have developed yet and the paths are more gray-brown than green. Today the weather is stable, although it has just started to drizzle a little, it is good for hiking. There are few people out and about, even though today is Sunday. Just a few ambitious families and dog walkers. I zigzag further down out of the two mountains towards the Rhine until I arrive at the first houses in Geisenheim. Here the path turns left. The path leads me past the university campus of the University of Geisenheim, where tests are taking place on various vines As the hike continues, I pass the new building at the University of Geisenheim, where the vineyards are being emptied. I walk through the Geisenheim University Spark parallel to the train tracks towards the west and then come out again at the train station. As I pass the train station on the home straight, it starts to rain harder again, as if it were the right time for the end of the hiking tour. I reach my car dry or almost dry, change my shoes and drive back to Wiesbaden. The tour is very easy to hike, is not difficult to walk, has no major differences in altitude and you have great views of Johannisberg Castle, St. Hildegard Abbey, Bingen and Rüdesheim. The path through the vineyards is very beautiful and varied, but I recommend the path in summer and autumn at the beginning, because in February it is already very dreary

Afterwards, the Riesling loop "In Vino Sanitas" with a beautiful view of the Abbey of St. Hildegard.

Nice Sunday walk through the vineyards of Geisenheim. However, you should not rely on voice guidance. This is mostly not true 🫢

Done!!! Today was the 14th and last Riesling loop for me. I was able to enjoy it with equally enthusiastic loop runners. @Frank🚶🏼‍♂️ & Silke🚶🏼‍♀️ and @Veronika 2020, it's nice to have met you. We had a lively exchange of ideas. You can tell by the average speed and the reduced number of images. 😅 Since I was at the meeting point early, I was able to start the hike in a nice café. I didn't know at the time that we would end the hike there. The Geisenheimer Riesling loop “In Vino Sanitas” reminds us that there is not only truth in wine, but also health. The grape vine was named medicinal plant of the year in 2023. Vitamin B6, folic acid and tannins are important ingredients. Red grape leaves help with vein problems... Although the sky couldn't quite decide today, at least it stayed dry. The tour through the vineyards is relaxed and promises wide views over the Rhine. Nice round with great company. 🤩🥂