The Tauber and Altmühl Cycle Route

You start your Tauber and Altmühl cycle route in picturesque Wertheim at the confluence of the Main and Tauber rivers. The town is known for its castle ruins on a narrow promontory between the two river valleys. During a visit to the original Staufer castle complex from the 12th century, you will get a glimpse of the region that you will be cycling through over the next few days. Enjoy your first evening in one of the many restaurants and look forward to an exciting week on your bike!

You say goodbye to Wertheim and the River Main. As far as Rothenburg, you follow the Romantic Road, Germany's oldest vacation route. Past the magnificent vineyards of the Liebliches Taubertal, you pass Tauberbischofsheim and Bad Mergentheim. You will soon reach your destination for the day, Weikersheim. Would you like to travel back in time? Then visit the incomparable Renaissance castle with its wonderful castle garden. This is considered one of the most important of its kind, as the interior is almost completely preserved.

Get on your bike and follow the Tauber Valley cycle route one last time. Take a break in Creglingen and marvel at the pretty half-timbered houses. Just outside is the world-famous Herrgottskirche church. Inside the church is the Marian altar, artistically carved by Tilman Riemenschneider. Rothenburg is probably the most romantic town in Germany. On a tour, half-timbered houses, narrow turrets and the imposing fortifications line your path. Keep your eyes open at all times: There is something to discover around every corner in this multi-faceted town.

From today, you follow the well-known Altmühl cycle route. You first cycle through the Naturpark Frankenhöhe and pass the source of the Altmühl at Hornauer Weiher. In Colmberg, you will come across the imposing castle of the same name. If you want to spare no effort, pay a visit to the castle, which lies high above the town. You will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Upper Altmühl Valley. Take the Castle Road along the Fränkische Rezat to your stage destination of Ansbach. During a stroll through the town, you will discover impressive buildings such as the court chancellery or the former residence of the Margraves of Brandenburg-Ansbach with its 27 state rooms.

Your tour starts in Ansbach on the Tauber and Altmühl cycle route, comfortably downhill until you meet the Altmühl again near Herrieden. With the river always in view, you cycle on an almost completely flat route towards the Altmühlsee lake. This is very popular with migratory birds, making it one of the most important protected areas for migratory birds in Bavaria. How about cooling off? The lake is perfect for a swim before continuing on to Gunzenhausen. A section of the outer border of the Roman Empire, the Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes, ran here. Visit the Archaeological Museum, which displays unique excavation finds from the Stone Age to the early Middle Ages. You have reached your destination for the day in Wettelsheim.

You cycle leisurely through the juniper heath. As the valley becomes narrower and narrower, spectacular rock formations keep appearing. Among the most impressive of the trip are the so-called Twelve Apostles between Solnhofen and Eßlingen. Before that, however, the ruins of the castle of the same name greet you in Pappenheim. It is one of the most important medieval castle ruins in Bavaria. As you approach Eichstätt, the Altmühl meanders through the breathtaking countryside. Pay a visit to Willibaldsburg Castle, which towers over Eichstätt's old town. Today, the former seat of the Eichstätt prince-bishops houses the Jura Museum, which displays numerous fossil exhibits.

Today, it is once again clear that the Romans were particularly present in this region. Near the village of Pfünz, you will come across the Roman fort Castra Vetoniana. One of the tasks of the garrison at the time was to guard the nearby Limes. Today, part of the defensive wall, a corner tower and the northern gateway have been faithfully reconstructed and are open to visitors. Passing the imposing Kipfenberg Castle, you will pass the idyllic Kratzmühlsee lake shortly before your stage destination of Beilngries. Take the opportunity to reward yourself with a dip in the cool water!

The Altmühl accompanies you for the last time on your way to Kelheim. At Dietfurt, you come across the Main-Danube Canal, in whose riverbed the Altmühl now flows. Around Riedenburg, several castles and castle ruins come into your field of vision. The most impressive is Prunn Castle, enthroned on a vertical rock. Don't forget to take a souvenir photo! Your destination is Kelheim at the confluence of the Altmühl and Danube rivers. Pay a visit to the Liberation Hall, the town's landmark. Commissioned by King Ludwig I, the memorial stands for the victorious battles against Napoleon in the Wars of Liberation. Not only the impressive building, but also the magnificent panoramic view will inspire you.

You say goodbye to Kelheim and at the same time to the Altmühl. On the last stage of your tour on theTauber and Altmühl cycle route, you follow the Danube to its northernmost point. You cycle along the cycle path close to the banks and always have a wonderful view of the river. Take a break along the way before you get a taste of the big city air in your destination of Regensburg. Regensburg's St. Peter's Cathedral welcomes you from afar. See for yourself why Regensburg, with its more than 1500 listed buildings, is the best-preserved German city from the Middle Ages.

Your cycle tour on the Tauber and Altmühl cycle route is sure to leave you with fond memories. If you don't want to start your journey home yet, we will be happy to extend your stay with an extra night.