In Altmühltal, long riverside trails, striking dolomite cliffs and evidence of Roman history come together in a shared natural and cultural landscape. Discoveries range from a hike or bike ride along the Altmühl to reconstructed parts of a Roman fort. Depending on your interests, you can explore the region on foot, by bike, on the water or by delving into its history.
Hiking, Cycling and Canoeing
The Altmühltal Panorama Trail runs for 200 kilometres along the Altmühl, from Gunzenhausen to Kelheim, and across the Altmühltal Nature Park. The German Hiking Association has certified it as a “Quality Trail: Wanderbares Deutschland”. The Altmühltal Cycle Path also runs for around 160 kilometres from Gunzenhausen to Kelheim through the nature park, following the gently flowing Altmühl. The different route lengths provide a practical guide when choosing between hiking and cycling.
On the water, the canoeing route covers just under 120 kilometres between Gunzenhausen and Dietfurt/Töging through the nature park. The Altmühl’s gentle current suits both beginners and experienced canoeists; the river is considered ideal for families. From spring to autumn, leisure buses and VGN leisure routes operate on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, providing a way to return by bike. They have bike trailers and transport cyclists and their bikes back to their starting point. Check current operating days and timetables before your trip.
Dolomite Cliffs and Juniper Heaths
The “Twelve Apostles” rock formation between Solnhofen and Eßlingen offers a striking view of the landscape. The towering dolomite cliffs can be seen by canoeists on the Altmühl, cyclists on the Altmühltal Cycle Path and hikers on routes around Solnhofen. The nature reserve by the cliffs was designated in 1984 and covers around 15.2 hectares. Extensive semi-dry grasslands grow on the limestone slabs, giving way to open juniper-pine forests. Together with the deeply incised valleys and prehistoric reefs, juniper heaths shape the landscape of Altmühltal.
Roman Traces and Baroque Architecture
The UNESCO World Heritage Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes, once the frontier of the Roman Empire, runs through the heart of Altmühltal Nature Park. The Roman fort of Castra Vetoniana stands above the village of Pfünz. Today, its north gate, a corner tower and part of the defensive wall have been reconstructed; seasonal access to these reconstructed sections may vary.
Weltenburg Abbey, at the entrance to the Danube Gorge, offers a glimpse into a different era. Founded around the year 600, it is Bavaria’s oldest monastic settlement. The abbey church, built and decorated by the Asam brothers between 1716 and 1739 under the abbot at the time, Maurus Bächl, is one of the finest achievements of the European Baroque. A visit here brings together the history of the monastery and its architecture.
Prehistory on a Woodland Trail
At the Altmühltal Dinosaur Museum, an approximately 1.5-kilometre woodland trail takes you through 400 million years of Earth’s history. More than 70 lifelike replicas of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals stand along the trail. Fossil enthusiasts will also find three quarries in the nature park where they can search for fossils. The museum tour and fossil hunting in the quarries offer different ways to explore the region’s geological history.
Regional cuisine is also part of the discoveries: many innkeepers in the nature park offer lamb specialities under the brand name “Altmühltaler Lamm”. As individual restaurants and menus may change, it is worth checking the current selection if you would like to try this speciality.
Discover more destinations: Donau-Ries, Unterallgäu, Rhön-Grabfeld, Tirschenreuth, Bayrisch Schwaben, Fränkisches Weinland, Augsburg, Regensburg.
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