The Altmuehl Cycle Path

Your trip begins in Rothenburg, situated in the Tauber valley. You will find lean towers, flower-clad timber-frame houses and imposing ancient defence facilities. Rothenburg’s well-preserved historic centre, with its intricate alleys, is regarded as the archetypal medieval German town and is particularly popular tourists. Pre-booked rental bikes are ready for you at the hotel.

Today, you will be starting in the Frankenhöhe nature park, with an optional detour to the Altmühl’s source (approx. 10 km more). The steep ascent to Colmberg Castle is also very worthwhile, as its basic structure remains unchanged since the 12th century. Today’s final destination will either be Herrieden, a small village with over 1000 years of history, or Ansbach, a splendid margravial residency.

After breakfast, you take a relaxed ride on the bike in the direction of Lake Altmühlsee. The reservoir is located in a nature reserve and is home to many rare bird species. After passing Gunzenhausen, you will cycle along the Altmühl to Treuchtlingen. Romans, Celts and Franconians already settled around this small town, and you can follow their traces in the folklore museum and in the Villa Rustica. A few kilometers away is Weißenburg, whose medieval old town is worth an extensive walk. Depending on the category booked, you will spend the night in Wettelsheim, Weißenburg or Treuchtlingen.

Today, the Altmühltal Cycle Path takes you to Eichstätt. On the way, a visit to the ruins of Pappenheim Castle is worthwhile, as well as a detour to the quarries of the Solnhofener Plattenkalk, where fossils millions of years old have already been discovered. Accompanied by the striking rock group of the Twelve Apostles, you will reach Eichstätt via Dollnstein. The bishop's town awaits you with magnificent baroque buildings, churches and monasteries.

Before you get on your bike in Eichstätt, there is still time to visit the Jura Museum. Located in the lofty Willibaldsburg Castle, it displays numerous fossil finds, including a specimen of Archaeopteryx, a prehistoric pterosaur. Take a leap back in time and also visit the nearby Roman fort of Vetoniana in Pfünz before cycling back to the present. Through the juniper heath of the Altmühl Valley you will reach today's destination. Depending on the booked category, you will spend the night in Beilngries or in Kinding-Enkering.

Today’s first stop is Dietfurt, which means you will have arrived at the Rhine-Main-Danube canal. Prunn Castle then presents itself to you on a hill and shortly before Kelheim it is worth taking a look at the Schulerloch stalactite cave. In Kehlheim, not only you, but also the Altmühl’s masses of water will have reached today’s final stop: here, the Bavarian river flows into the Danube. From the Befreiungshalle you can get a beautiful panoramic view.

You will be getting a ferry through the impressive Danube Gorge to Weltenburg monastery, which is home to the oldest monastery brewery in the world – so you should definitely pay its beer garden a visit. Along the Danube you will travel to Regensburg. Its historic centre was recently declared a UNESCO world heritage site, without losing any of its modern flair. Street cafes, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife will make your visit highly memorable.

Your journey along the Altmühl Cycle Path concludes after berakfast. We would be more than happy to extend your stay in Regensburg.