Neckarsteig: Heidelberg to Neckargemünd

This opening 15 km leg of the 120 km Neckarsteig long-distance trail runs from Heidelberg's Alte Brücke (Old Bridge) to the town of Neckargemünd along the Neckar valley. The trailhead is reached on foot from Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof via tram into the Altstadt; the return from Neckargemünd is by regional train. The route accumulates roughly 550 m of climbing over its length, rated moderate to strenuous because of a steep opening ascent directly out of the Altstadt onto the valley's terraced slopes. Underfoot the trail is largely packed dirt and gravel forest and vineyard track, with occasional stone steps on the initial climb; the path runs along an open, partly exposed ridge above the vineyards before re-entering wooded sections with good shade. Key landmarks include the views back over Heidelberg Castle and the Alte Brücke from the vineyard terraces, and the Philosophenweg (Philosophers' Walk), a historic path that connects into this stretch of the Neckarsteig. Hikers seeking a shorter outing can turn back at the ridge viewpoint above the vineyards rather than continuing the full distance to Neckargemünd. There are no staffed huts directly on this leg, though both Heidelberg and Neckargemünd have full services at either end; hikers should carry water for the ridge section, as it lacks marked sources between the two towns. The steepest grades come in the first kilometre out of the Altstadt, after which the trail levels considerably along the ridge.