Altmühl Valley cycle path

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the epitome of medieval town romantics and has been immortalized by artists such as Spitzweg and Richter. Be guided through the town in the evening by the night watchman and learnall kinds of interesting facts about life in Rothenburg back in the day.

You will start your journey in the Tauber valley and it won’t take long before you reach the river Altmühl. Alternatively you can take a challenging, but picturesque route via the Altmühl source (approx. 10 km longer). Cycle past the Zollern Castle in Colmberg and you will soon reach Ansbach.

Today you cycle leisurely through the Franconian Lake District. Take a long break at the Altmühlsee Lake! Afterwars you cycle to Gunzenhausen, which is located right on the former border of the Roman Empire, the famous Limes. Your destination for today is either the small town of Treuchtlingen or the even smaller but beautiful Wettelsheim just a few kilometres away.

On today’s stage the valley becomes narrower and the river Altmühl cuts deep into the Jurassic rock. The 12 Apostels, an impressive rock formation, are a marvellous sight. Again and again you will cycle past mighty castles on your journey to Eichstätt, a former bishop city characterised by charming Baroque buildings.

In Eichstätt take the opportunity before you leave to visit the Jura museum, which has lots of fossils of dinosaurs from the area. Your cycle tour today takes you through a juniper heath in Altmühltal valley to your destination, the charming town of Beilngries.

From Dietfurt you follow the Altmühl in the bed of the Main-Danube Canal and soon you reach Prunn Castle, which towers majestically above the river. In Kelheim you have reached your stage destination and at the same time the end of the Altmühl, because here it flows into the Danube. If you still have strength in your legs, you should make a detour to the Liberation Hall, where you can enjoy a great view. If you stay overnight in Abensberg or Bad Gögging, you will pass through the beautiful Danube breakthrough by boat before reaching your stage destination.

If you have not yet taken the boat trip to Weltenburg Monastery and the impressive Danube breakthrough, today you have the opportunity to do so. The oldest monastery in Bavaria is beautifully situated on a loop of the Danube. It awaits its guests with home-brewed beer in the large beer garden. Along the Danube you will travel to Regensburg. Regensburg‘s old town, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a wonderful place to stroll and discover something new again and again. Peppered with modern flair and a lively city life, your stay in Regensburg will be unforgettable.

After breakfast you start your individual return journey home or extend your stay.