Mainuferweg: Eiserner Steg to Hoechst Castle

The Mainuferweg from the Eiserner Steg to Hoechst Castle follows the River Main westward through Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany, for about 14 km one way. The walk starts at the Eiserner Steg footbridge on the Roemerberg side, reached by U-Bahn (Dom/Roemer, lines U4 and U5) or S-Bahn to Hauptwache, and ends at the old town of Hoechst with its castle on Schlossplatz. No permit or fee is needed and parking is not necessary, since the return leg is easy by S1 or S2 from Hoechst station to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof in about 12 minutes; connections can be confirmed at rmv.de. The route is almost flat, with under 30 m of total climb, and takes about 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours one way. Its length rather than any technical difficulty places it in the moderate class for casual walkers. The surface is a mix of paved riverside promenade, asphalt cycle paths and gravel stretches, with no exposure to drops. Shade is intermittent: the Museumsufer section has trees, but the industrial reaches through Gallus and Griesheim are open and can be hot in summer. Cyclists share the path in many places, so walkers should keep to the pedestrian side. Key landmarks include the Museumsufer with its row of museums, the river views back to the skyline, the quieter western districts of Gallus and Griesheim with their harbour and industrial heritage, and finally the half-timbered lanes and castle of Hoechst. Natural turn-around points are the bridges and transit stops along the way, where the tram, U-Bahn or S-Bahn can be used to shorten the outing; many walkers cover only the central half and return from the Hoechst side or from an intermediate station. Water and refreshments are available in the central riverside cafes and in Hoechst, but the middle stretch has fewer services, so a bottle of water is advisable. There are no refuge huts, although shelter can be found at bridges and nearby stations in rain.