Niederwald forest with view points
"Three heights on the Middle Rhine afford the most extensive views " the Niederwald, Ehrenbreitstein and Drachenfels."
With these words Karl Baedecker (1801-1858) began the 17th chapter (entitled the "Niederwald") of the work for which he became famous, "A Rhine Trip from Basel to Duesseldorf." Landscaped at the end of the 18th century by the Counts of Ostein as an English-style park, complete with artificial ruins, the Niederwald became quite an attraction. The vantage points and ruins are, for the most part, intact to this day. From the Germania monument there is a sign-posted path to the Naheblick (view of the Nahe river valley), the mock castle ruins "Rossel" (highest elevation of the Niederwald) and the Rittersaal, a natural "balcony" formed by the forest. These three vantage points afford splendid panoramic views of the Nahe-Rhine confluence, the Binger Loch with the Ehrenfels castle ruins and Mousetower, as well as the Rhine gorge known as the Loreley valley, with the village of Assmannshausen, known for its red wine.

From the middle of the 18 hundreds famous people visited the Niederwald, even Goethe (firstly in 1793), Clemens von Brentano, and Achim von Arnim. From their inspired stories the Rhine romantic experienced at the beginning of the 19 hundreds a large boom. Various visitors also arrived from foreign countries, so for instance in 1788 Thomas Jefferson. The third president of the USA travelled via Mainz and Johannisberg to Ruedesheim. After a lengthy wine tasting he proclaimed the "Ruedesheimer Hinterhaus" to be his favourite vineyard area. Also the father of "Lederstrumpf", the writer James F. Cooper, visited Ruedesheim during his trip to Germany in 1832, where he also proclaimend "Ruedesheimer Hinterhaus" to be his favourite.

Falconry
Behind the Niederwald monument, at the edge of the woods, is an extraordinary attraction for animal lovers. A variety of birds of prey is to be seen here, as well as various owls that can be observed close up. Open daily: 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. Admission: adults 4,50 DEM; under 15: 3 DEM; 2 adults with children between 6 and 15: 10 DEM; reduction for groups of 20 or more.