Castle Stahleck
Castle Stahleck stands on the hilltop overlooking the Phine valley. The original castle dates back to 1135 but it was destroyed in a battle in 1828. However it was later rebuilt and the castle Stahleck has been used as a Youth hostel since 1925.
According to a town map, there are a lot of paths leading to the Castle Stahleck through the woods. One of the paths begin from the left side of a big church in the center of town.

The signboard said "15 min to the castle Stahleck". This sort of signboards is almost always extremely misleading.

Views from the path included a vast vineyard on the side of a hill and beautiful houses. The path ahead was long and hard!

The Mountain path with its endless steps lead into the forest....

I almost felt like the steep path was endless! Walking along the steep, narrow, muddy mountain path, we managed to get to the entrance of the castle.
Everybody may enter its property freely and without restrictions, only a part of the building is reserved for the hostel guests.

Here is the courtyard.

"I can't walk any further...."
She didn't move any more!

At the courtyard, there are some picnic tables and you can enjoy the wonderful views of the Rhine valley.

Castle Stahleck offers a perfect panoramic view overlooking the Rhine valley and a stay in the castle might be the highlight for your trip.
If you are fit teenagers, it is a perfect place to stay with a medieval atmosphere. But we're not fit. No thanks!
For your informaition, the youth hostel provides laundry-facilities for their guests. So there's no worry when you sweat climbing up the hill!