Altmühltal – between cliffs, river and history

Deep-cut valleys, prehistoric rock reefs and juniper heaths give the Altmühltal its distinctive character. The Altmühl flows through this landscape; along the way, nature experiences meet routes for hikers, cyclists and canoeists. There are also striking dolomite cliffs, fossils and Roman traces. When planning your trip, you can first consider which of these aspects interests you most.

Rock landscapes and juniper heaths

An impressive example of the landscape is the Twelve Apostles: between Solnhofen and Eßlingen, mighty dolomite cliffs rise up. The rock group is considered a scenic highlight in the Altmühltal Nature Park and can be seen from various perspectives: by boat on the Altmühl, by bike on the Altmühltal Cycle Path and on hikes around Solnhofen.

The nature reserve near the Twelve Apostles was designated in 1984 and covers an area of about 15.2 hectares. Extensive semi-dry grasslands lie on the limestone plateau, giving way to open juniper-pine forests. These open areas and towering cliffs make the region’s changing landscape particularly vivid.

On foot, by bike or on the water

The Altmühltal Panorama Trail runs for 200 kilometres along the Altmühl from Gunzenhausen to Kelheim and across the nature park. It is certified by the German Hiking Association as a “Quality Trail – Hiking in Germany.” The Altmühltal Cycle Path also runs for around 160 kilometres from Gunzenhausen to Kelheim through the nature park, alongside the gently flowing Altmühl.

On the water, the canoe route covers just under 120 kilometres between Gunzenhausen and Dietfurt/Töging. The Altmühl is considered an ideal family river; its gentle flow is suitable for beginners and experienced canoeists. The different route lengths and endpoints help you choose hiking, cycling or canoeing as the focus of your trip without treating the activities as interchangeable.

For cyclists, leisure buses or VGN leisure lines operate from spring to autumn on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The buses have bicycle trailers and transport cyclists and their bikes back to the starting point. If you plan to use this return service, check the current operating days and timetables before travelling.

Fossils and Roman traces

At the Dinosaur Museum Altmühltal, a forest trail about 1.5 kilometres long leads through 400 million years of Earth’s history and past more than 70 lifelike replicas of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. Three quarries in the nature park also invite visitors to search for fossils. You can choose between a tour featuring replicas and a search for traces of Earth’s history.

The Limes also shapes the region’s history: the former border of the Roman Empire, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, runs right through the Altmühltal Nature Park. The Roman fort Castra Vetoniana sits above the village of Pfünz. The northern gate complex, a corner tower and part of the defensive wall have been rebuilt; access to the reconstructed sections may vary by season. Check current visiting options before your visit. Since July 2006, the regional Limes information point has been located at the Roman and Bavarian Museum Burg Kipfenberg, providing information about Roman World Heritage sites in the nature park.

Weltenburg Abbey and regional cuisine

Weltenburg Abbey is located at the entrance to the Danube Gorge and was founded around the year 600. It is therefore considered Bavaria’s oldest monastic settlement. The abbey church, built and decorated by the Asam brothers between 1716 and 1739 under the then Abbot Maurus Bächl, is one of the outstanding achievements of European Baroque. The combination of an early monastic site and Baroque architecture gives a visit a special historical focus.

Regional cuisine includes lamb specialities sold under the brand name “Altmühltaler Lamm,” which many inns in the nature park offer. As individual offerings and menus may vary, it is worth checking your chosen restaurant in advance.

Choose the right starting point

If you are looking for accommodation in the Altmühltal, base your choice of starting point on the experiences that matter for your trip: for example, a hike, a cycling route, a canoe trip or Roman and monastic sights. Compare the specific places and routes you want to visit. That way, you can plan your days around the themes that bring you to the Altmühltal, rather than treating different activities as one and the same excursion.

Discover more travel destinations: Haßberge, Starnberg, Eichstätt, Chiemsee, Erlangen-Höchstadt, Bamberg, Aichach-Friedberg, Bavarian Swabia.

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