Filsen lies within the largest loop of the Rhine and is shaped by the river, orchards and woodland. Its sheltered, sunny location contributes to extensive fruit growing, especially cherries and strawberries. Filsen offers different ways to explore the landscape when planning a trip: short circular walks, longer hiking trails, a ferry across the Rhine and distinctive buildings each provide a focus of their own.
Hiking trails and the connection across the Rhine
Filsen provides access to a section of the Rheinsteig premium long-distance hiking trail, a nature trail towards Kamp-Bornhofen, and other footpaths, field paths and woodland trails. The Filsen Cherry Trail is a two-kilometre circular route that partly follows the Rheinsteig. It can also be combined with a hike from Kamp-Bornhofen to Braubach. You can choose to walk the circular route on its own or include it as part of a hike.
The Rhine ferry connects Filsen with Boppard and provides access to the RheinBurgenWeg on the opposite bank. The route options are therefore distinct: alongside the circular walk and local trails, the ferry offers access to a hiking trail on the other side of the Rhine. If you plan to take the ferry, check the departure times in advance.
Cherry Trail and fruit-growing heritage
Along the Cherry Trail is a collection of more than 130 rediscovered historic cherry varieties and other stone fruits. Information boards accompany the route, while seating and viewpoints over the Rhine add to the experience. Its manageable length makes the circular walk a way to combine a stroll with discovering the local fruit-growing heritage. The Cherry Trail is also the first site of the German Fruit Genebank in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Publicly bookable guided tours are available on the Cherry Trail. Guided fruit tours include tastings of fresh or processed fruit. Topics include stories about local fruit growing and the diversity of varieties, as well as scientific pomology—the study of fruit—and the German Fruit Genebank. If you plan to join a tour, check the specific dates in advance.
Wachport and St. Margaretha
Wachport Town Hall is one of the few surviving half-timbered houses built over an arch; the year 1611 is inscribed in its timberwork. The old town hall and its surroundings form a historic monument regarded as a landmark of Filsen. A communal bakehouse is attached to the old masonry of the arch. The Gothic parish church of St. Margaretha features an altarpiece by H. Brey.
Nature, cycling and getting here
The forest chapel above Filsen offers views over the valley of the largest loop of the Rhine. The mild climate and natural shelters provide native birds with nesting habitat. Paragliding is another activity: local thermals support it year-round above the broad valley. The bee discovery field is within walking distance and open free of charge all year round.
St. Margaretha is a cycling-friendly church and provides cyclists with water, a pump and a bicycle repair kit. It also has information about the nearest toilet, bicycle workshop and shopping facility. Approaching via the B9 or B42, you can enjoy views of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage landscape, with its cliffs, castles and palaces. Filsen can be reached by car, bus and train.
Discover more destinations: Braubach, Osterspai, Kamp-Bornhofen, Prath, Dörscheid, Bornich, Kestert, Sankt Goarshausen
For the main travel overview: Loreley.
