We start our tour in Bad Kösen, a state-recognised spa town in the middle of Germany's northernmost wine-growing region. We take an excursion boat on the Saale to the starting point of our hike, a small campsite under Rudelsburg Castle. Then it's uphill to an altitude of approx. 170 metres. Once at the top, the hilltop castle of Saaleck from the 12th century awaits us. Today, the castle is a popular excursion destination as it offers sweeping views of the valley landscape. If you dare, you also have the opportunity to climb one of the two 23-metre-high towers of the hilltop castle, from where we can already see our next destination. The medieval Rudelsburg Castle is 20 minutes away. It is considered the most beautiful of all Saale castles, and Franz Kugler wrote the German folk song “An der Saale hellem Strande” on it. After refreshments in the castle restaurant, we make our way home. This time we don't take the boat, but walk along the geological trail back to the town. Once we reach the graduation tower, we take a deep breath. This industrial building has been used to extract salt since the 18th century. The entire salt works is still fully intact today. Today, the 320 metre long and 20 metre high graduation house is only used for medical purposes in the spa town. The cable ferry takes us back to the other side of the Saale to our final destination.