Drachenfels Summit, Siebengebirge
Ride Germany's oldest cog railway up to the 321-metre Drachenfels peak and you will understand instantly why 19th-century Romantics were obsessed with this stretch of the Rhine. Castle ruins, a fairy-tale château on the slope below, and a sweeping view over the river bending toward Bonn — it is one of Germany's great viewpoints.
The Summit & Its Castle Ruins
The Drachenfels is one of the most famous mountains in the Siebengebirge range along the Rhine, located between Königswinter and Bad Honnef, and its striking position high above the river has made it a popular destination for centuries.
At the top, the plateau delivers panoramic views of Königswinter, Bonn, the Rhine Valley, and the rolling Siebengebirge hills — on clear days you can even pick out Cologne Cathedral on the northern horizon.
The 12th-century castle ruins crowning the summit are steeped in legend, including tales of Siegfried the dragon-slayer, and make for dramatic foreground in every photograph.
Schloss Drachenburg & the Cog Railway
Halfway up the hill sits the magnificent 19th-century Schloss Drachenburg, a Wilhelminian-style château with ornate gardens that looks as if it was conjured from a storybook.
The historic Drachenfelsbahn cog railway, whose lower station dates to 1883, carries visitors along a 1,520-metre route past viewpoints and forested slopes — a leisurely alternative to the walking trail up from Königswinter.
A restaurant right on the plateau serves snacks, regional cakes, and hot drinks while you soak up the Rhine panorama; the beer garden at the Petersberg Grand Hotel nearby is another legendary stop on the 15-km circular hiking trail.
Drachenfels Summit, Siebengebirge on video
More of Bonn
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Bonn →
