Assmannshausen

Assmannshausen is the district of Rüdesheim at the entrance to the Middle Rhine Valley – known for its red wines from Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) grapes.¹ The village lies downstream on the “sunny side of the Rhine”; opposite, on the left bank, stands Burg Rheinstein (Rheinstein Castle) near Trechtingshausen.²,³

Current status (checked on 18 October 2026)

• Assmannshausen chairlift closed because of a technical defect; according to the operator it will not reopen in 2026, the aim is the start of the 2027 season (as of 18 October 2026). While it is closed, there are no Ring, Romantik or Assmannshausen tours.⁴,⁵,⁶
• Railway line to Rüdesheim closed until 12 December 2026, replacement buses; recommended: train to Bingen Hbf, then the ferry.⁷,⁸

Seasonal times change. For up-to-date times, the operator’s website applies.

Red wine from the Höllenberg

The Höllenberg above the village is one of the steepest vineyard sites in the Rheingau; the plots are divided into terraces and supported by stone walls.⁹ Spätburgunder grows on the violet slate soil. The name has nothing to do with hell (German “Hölle”): it comes from the Old High German “helda”, a steep slope.⁹

Most of the vineyards once belonged to the St. Victor’s collegiate foundation in Mainz, and after secularisation to the state domain; today they are farmed by the Hessian State Wine Estate.¹ Since the 1920s there has been a wine cellar at the foot of the Höllenberg; once a year, always in November, the domain opens its building to visitors.⁹

On foot: the Assmannshäuser Rotweinweg (red-wine trail) mostly follows the Wildkräuterweg (wild-herb trail) of the Kräuterwirte (herb innkeepers) and leads past the Höllenberg.¹⁰

In the village

• Parish church of Heilig Kreuz (Holy Cross, Lorcher Straße 2): first documented in 1325. In 1872 a Gothic winged altar replaced the old altar of the cross; a donated painting from the school of M. Grünewald was inserted into its centrepiece.¹¹
• Halfen: for centuries the Halfen (towing men) used horses to haul boats upstream through the Binger Loch (rocky narrows), until about a hundred years ago tug boats took over the work.¹
• Bad Assmannshausen: a warm spring on the Rhine brought the village a spa in the 19th century.¹
• Today: hotels, wine taverns and excursion boats shape the village.¹ Restaurants and accommodation: Food and drink and Where to stay.

The history of the village – first mentioned in 1108, silver mining, poets on the Rhine – is on the page Around Rüdesheim.

Chairlift to the Niederwald

The chairlift has linked Assmannshausen with the Niederwald since 1953; it is currently out of service because of a technical fault.⁶ As long as it is not running, the Rüdesheim cable car operator suggests walking from the Niederwald to Assmannshausen and taking the boat back.¹² More: Cable car.

How to get there

• By boat: excursion boats sail from Assmannshausen back to Rüdesheim.¹³ Overview: Rhine cruises from Rüdesheim.
• By train: Assmannshausen is on the railway line along the right bank of the Rhine; it is closed until 12 December 2026, and replacement buses run instead.⁷
• On foot: via the Rheinsteig trail, one of whose stages links Rüdesheim and Assmannshausen, or the Große Rüdesheimer Runde (circular walk) via the Niederwalddenkmal (Niederwald Monument).¹⁰
• By car: the tourist information office lists five car parks in the village, including the Platz von Juliénas by the railway station.¹⁴ More: Parking.

Frequently asked questions

What is Assmannshausen known for? For red wine from Spätburgunder grapes, above all from the steep Höllenberg.¹,⁹

Does the chairlift run from Assmannshausen to the Niederwald? Not at the moment; it is out of service because of a technical fault.⁶

Which castle lies opposite Assmannshausen? Burg Rheinstein, on the left bank of the Rhine in the municipality of Trechtingshausen.²,³

Next: Around Rüdesheim · Day trips · Festivals