Given that we've been having weeks of heat and drought, I planned this run/hike around water refill stops. There are 5 possible water/food stops along the route, but most of them open at 11:00 or later, making a very early start unattractive. So the start was in Bonn at 7 am, to make sure that the Löwenburger Hof (which opens at 10:00 am) would be already open for a water re-fill at about the half-way point. I was fortunate to enjoy 2-3 hours of cool and damp weather in the morning before things heated up again. Also, cool weather and early morning hours helped avoid the crowds of hikers that you'll often find along the Siebengebirge Rheinsteig trails.
The second part of the run/hike took place in the kind of sunny and warm weather that's been been norm during this exceptionally dry summer. Nevertheless, hydration worked well with more than 4 liters of fluids consumed, thanks also to a cooler box I happened to find near Unkel which offers apple juice in exchange for cash. The trails south of Schmelztal, which I don't so well, were unexpectedly enjoyable, especially the bit from Auge Gottes to Erpeler Ley.
Notes on the GPX track - it's slightly outdated in a couple of places and leaving the designated paths is not allowed in the Siebengebirge:
- when descending from Petersberg, follow the markings and keep straight another 50m instead of turning directly right onto a dirt track. This probably only adds about 100m to the course.
- don't take the shortcut between Schallenberg and Milchhäuschen; instead follow the signs and take a slight detour over the forest road. Again, just a short detour.
- the GPX track ends in the middle of a road slightly outside the historic center of Linz; it would be more logical to end on the Marktplatz (which officialy is where Rheinsteig stages start in Linz)