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Not a month after my first visit to Burg Rheinfels, I returned with my daughter for a second visit because it was just that cool. With its tunnels and towers, it quickly became my number one for most *fun* castle to visit, and my top recommendation for castle-loving families within two hours of the Rheingau. Rheinfels sits atop a hill in Sankt Goar. The town is reachable by car or ferry, and is the last stop on some of the sightseeing ferries you can grab from Rüdesheim. 
Originally built in 1245, the castle would become one of Germany’s strongest fortresses. The large ruins not only form a “castle-looking-castle”, but many tunnels and trenches still exist and await your exploration! 
On visit #1, I arrived to St. Goar by ferry with my friend Suzi. The dock is on the edge of town; a short walk took us to a tiny train that runs between town and the castle uphill. It cost a couple Euro to ride one way. My recommendation for a family on a nice day is to take the train up and then walk down (or walk both ways!). There is a well-maintained garden trail with steps. This sign marked the train stop: 
Once inside the fortress, Suzi and I began exploring the grounds, filled with arches and tunnels and a tower to climb. 
When I returned with Sequoia the next month, we walked up the hill due to construction in town. 
In the fortress, she and I delved further into the tunnels. 
The fortress overlooks the Rhein and provides expansive views, in both directions, of hills and vineyards. 
Important notes! When you get around back, if you do not take the stairs down into the woods, you will miss all of the darkest, coolest tunnels. Suzi and I misinterpreted the sign and missed the whole series of tunnels you’ll find on that route. Sequoia and I were more fortunate! Take a flashlight! Even if it is just your iPhone, you need light. Some of the tunnels become pitch black as you delve deeper, and you don’t want to enter some of the teeny-tiny stairwells without the luxury of sight! 
The nitty-gritty: Address: Rheinfels Castle, Schlossberg, 56329 St. Goar (Searching for the name Rheinfels in the city of St Goar might bring up the castle as a result in your GPS.) 
Price of admission: 4E adult, 2E children; other discounts and combination tickets are available. Tours are available, although there’s something to be said for wandering around the tunnels on your own. The hours for the remaining months of 2014:
| March 15th 2014 until October 25th 2014 | daily from 9.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m.Opening hours museum: daily from 10.00 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. until 5.00 p.m. |
| October 26th 2014 until November 9th 2014 | daily from 9.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m.Opening hours museum: daily from 10.00 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. until 4.30 p.m. |
And finally: GO! It’s super fun! 
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