2024
Der Tauber- und Altmühl-Radweg

The Tauber and Altmühl Cycle Route

From Wertheim via Rothenburg to Regensburg

  Wertheim – Rothenburg – Regensburg

  • Radweg-Reisen Tour
  • Numerous castles & palaces, imposing rock formations, Kelheim Befreiungshalle
  • Daily routes ●●●○○○, altitude profile ●●●○○

Days
10

Ø km per day
50

Welcome to the Tauber-Altmühl Cycle Route. Here you will not only discover two rivers, but with the Main and the Danube, you will get to know the diverse landscape of four rivers at once. You start your cycling holiday in Wertheim am Main. During the first two stages, you follow the Tauber river through the vineyards of the lovely Tauber Valley to Rothenburg. The Altmühl accompanies you past impressive rock formations. Follow in the footsteps of the Romans and cycle through an enchanting picture-book landscape. Rows of castles and palaces line your path and invite you to visit them. Finally, cycle along the Danube until you reach your destination in Regensburg. Enjoy the atmosphere of this wonderful city. Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and go exploring on the Tauber Altmühl Cycle Route. You won't regret it...

Itinerary

  • Booking code
    BY-ATWR9
  • Start / Destination
    Wertheim / Regensburg
  • Duration
    10 days / 9 nights
  • Length
    approx. 395 km
    Daily routes ●●●○○
    between 40 and 60 km, Ø 50 km
    Altitude profile ●●●○○
Map of the Tauber and Altmühl Cycle Route

Day 1: Individual arrival in Wertheim

You start your cycle tour on the Tauber Altmühl Cycle Route in picturesque Wertheim at the confluence of the Main and Tauber rivers. The town is famous for its castle ruins on a narrow hilltop between the two river valleys. A visit to the original 12th century Hohenstaufen castle will give you a glimpse of the region you will be cycling through over the next few days. Enjoy the first evening in one of the numerous restaurants and look forward to an exciting week on the bike!

Wertheim

View of Wertheim

Day 2: Wertheim – Weikersheim, approx. 60 km

You say goodbye to Wertheim and the River Main. As far as Rothenburg, you follow the Romantic Road, Germany's oldest vacation route. You pass beautiful vineyards in the Liebliches Taubertal valley and 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. It is considered one of the most important of its kind, as the interior is almost completely preserved.

Castle in Tauberbischofsheim

Castle in Tauberbischofsheim

Day 3: Weikersheim – Rothenburg, approx. 40 km

Get on your bike and follow the Tauber 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. Half-timbered houses, narrow turrets and the imposing fortifications line your path on a tour. Keep your eyes open at all times: There is something to discover around every corner in this multi-faceted town.

Rothenburg, cyclist, Kobozell Gate

Cyclists in front of the Kobozell Gate in Rothenburg | ©Romantisches Franken / Florian Trykowski

Day 4: Rothenburg – Ansbach, approx. 50 km

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. In Colmberg you will come across the imposing castle of the same name. If you don't want to spare any effort, pay a visit to the castle high above the town. You will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Upper Altmühl Valley. Via the Castle Road you travel along the Franconian Rezat river to your stage destination 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.

Cyclists at the Altmühl source at Hornauer Weiher

Cyclists at the Altmühl source at Hornauer Weiher | ©Romantisches Franken / Florian Trykowski

Day 5: Ansbach – Wettelsheim / Treuchtlingen, approx. 60 km

Your tour on the Tauber-Altmühl Cycle Route starts in Ansbach comfortably downhill until you meet the Altmühl again at Herrieden. With the river always in view, you cycle on an almost completely flat stretch towards Lake Altmühlsee. This is very popular with migratory birds, so that it is home to one of the most important protected areas for migratory birds in Bavaria. How about cooling off a bit? 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. With Wettelsheim you have reached your destination for the day.

Ansbach Residence

The Ansbach Residence

Day 6: Wettelsheim – Eichstätt, approx. 50 km

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 is home to the Jura Museum, which displays numerous fossil exhibits.

 

Cyclists in front of Willibaldsburg Castle

Cyclists in front of Willibaldsburg Castle | ©Naturpark Altmühltal / Dietmar Denger

Day 7: Eichstätt – Beilngries, approx. 45 km

Today you will find more evidence that the Romans were particularly present in this region. Near the village of Pfünz you will come across the Roman fort Castra Vetoniana. Among other things, the garrison at that time had the task of guarding the nearby Limes. Today, a part of the defence wall, a corner tower and the northern gate have been faithfully reconstructed and invite you to visit them. Passing the imposing Kipfenberg Castle, you will pass the idyllic Lake Kratzmühlsee shortly before your stage destination Beilngries. Take the opportunity and reward yourself with a jump into the cool water!

Pfünz, Roman fort, cyclist

On the cycle path at the Roman Fort near Pfünz

Day 8: Beilngries – Essing / Kelheim, approx. 40 / 50 km

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 Befreiungshalle, 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.

Riedenburg - Cyclists on the Main-Danube Canal

Cyclists along the Main-Danube Canal near Riedenburg | ©(c) FrankenTourismus / Leue

Day 9: Kelheim – Regensburg, approx. 50 / 40 km

You say goodbye to Kelheim and at the same time to the Altmühl. On the last stage of your tour on the Tauber-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.

 

Regensburg cyclists

Cyclists in front of St. Peter's Cathedral in Regensburg

Day 10: Individual departure

Your cycle tour on the Tauber 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.

Regensburg, Danube, Cathedral

View of the cathedral and the old town hall in Regensburg

Dates / Prices / Services

Season times and prices 2024

Arrival daily from 27.04.2024 to 05.10.2024

Bookable dates are shown in the booking form. The season is dictated by the arrival date.

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Season A
27.04. - 03.05.
22.09. - 05.10.
from999 €
Season B
04.05. - 07.05.
21.05. - 31.05.
08.09. - 21.09.
from1149 €
Season C
08.05. - 15.05.
01.06. - 28.06.
21.08. - 07.09.
from1249 €
Season D
16.05. - 20.05.
29.06. - 20.08.
from1299 €

All prices per person in a double room

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Services

  • 9 nights incl. breakfast, national 3* level
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel to Regensburg, no limit on the number of pieces, max. 20 kg / piece
  • Travel documents with maps (1 x per room)
  • Service hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
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Not included is the city or visitor's tax (if payable).

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For our younger cyclists

discount-icon discount-icon-football

From 12 to 17 years

-25%

Applies for accommodation in rooms with 2 full-paying guests.

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Due to the more challenging sections, we recommend this tour for young people only in good physical condition.

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Additional services

Additional bookable services

Additional fee single room

299 €

All prices are per person

Additional nights

Room
Breakfast
Price
Ansbach / Rothenburg
 DBL

69 €

 SGL

105 €

Eichstätt
 DBL

59 €

 SGL

89 €

Essing
 DBL

55 €

 SGL

85 €

Kelheim
 DBL

55 €

 SGL

85 €

Regensburg
 DBL

65 €

 SGL

95 €

Wettelsheim
 DBL

55 €

 SGL

95 €

other places
 DBL

65 €

 SGL

99 €

All prices are per person

Rental bikes

Rental Bikes

Rental Bike
Rental Bike
99 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
259 €
Teenager's bike
Teenager's bike
49 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 27-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men’s bikes from 1.75 m)
  • Electric bike / Pedelec with freewheel (minimum age 16 years)
  • Teenager's bike (26 inch)
Fittings

Pannier, handlebar bag, milometer, bike lock, pump, repair kit

Here you find further information and pictures of our rental bikes.

Radweg-Reisen 27-gear unisex bike
27-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel
Radweg-Reisen 27-gear men's bike
27-gear men's bike, derailleur gears with freewheel
Radweg Reisen E-Bike
Unisex E-Bike, 8-speed hub gears and freewheel
Teen's bike
Teen's bike

27-gear rental bike

99 €

E-bike / pedelec

259 €

Teenager's bike

49 €

All prices are per person

Brief info

  • Booking code
    BY-ATWR9
  • Start / Destination
    Wertheim / Regensburg
  • Duration
    10 days / 9 nights
  • Length
    approx. 395 km
    Daily routes ●●●○○
    between 40 and 60 km, Ø 50 km
    Altitude profile ●●●○○
  • Parking information
    Public parking garages, cost approx. 5 € / day
    Free parking at Main-Tauber-Halle and at the back of the Tauber parking lot
    No reservation possible through Radweg-Reisen
  • Return to Wertheim
    On your own by train, connections several times a day, 2 – 3 changes, duration approx. 4 – 5 hours
  • Tour operated by
    Radweg-Reisen
  • Mobility note
    The trip is only conditionally suitable for people with limited mobility.
    Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding your individual needs.
  • Print version PDF

Days
10

Ø km per day
50