Vineyards still fill the gaps between villages as the route drops beyond Gau-Bickelheim towards the Nahe. It follows the valley to Bingen, where the river joins the Rhine and the slopes of the Middle Rhine Gorge close in. Along the western bank, the ride passes beneath Rheinstein and Reichenstein castles. Bacharach's timber-framed houses cluster below Stahleck Castle; near Kaub, Pfalzgrafenstein stands on an island where toll collectors once controlled river traffic. Oberwesel's town walls come next, followed by the Loreley rock across the water. Barges work through the bends while the route stays mostly near river level. St Goar and Bad Salzig lead into Boppard, completing about 71 kilometres through vineyards and castle country.
