Discover Nennslingen: Jura history and trails

Nennslingen combines rural architectural history with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Historic houses and the parish church in the village tell stories from different chapters of local history; the Anlaut Valley and the Jura plateau near Nennslingen offer an extensive network of cycling and hiking trails. You can shape your stay around local sights or outdoor activities in the landscape.

Jura architecture and traces of the past

The Jura farmhouse, a residential and livestock building, stands at the northern edge of the market square. Its core dates from the 16th century, and timber joints from that period have been preserved in the roof structure. The building type combines living quarters and a stable, making the house a vivid example of the Jura’s rural architectural history.

The Evangelical Lutheran parish church of Beatae Mariae Virginis also preserves notable historical details: on its south side is a burial chapel of the Schenken von Geyern, with numerous epitaphs commemorating members of this minor noble family. Another building with a long history is the house with a smithy at Kellergasse 1. Its older half is thought to date from shortly before 1540.

The Lost Village offers a different impression of early Jura houses. The artwork consists of four closed houses made of matt stainless steel, at a scale of 1:8. It reconstructs demolished Jura houses from Biburg, Gersdorf, Wengen and Nennslingen, which shaped the local landscape for centuries in some cases. The work is located within the municipality to which these places belong, geographically central between the four districts, not in Nennslingen itself.

Trails, playground and summer swimming

Those who like to combine their stay with hiking or cycling will find an extensive network of trails in the scenic Anlaut Valley and on the Jura plateau near Nennslingen. Maps of hiking and cycling trails in the surrounding area are available from the Tourist Information Office at Schmiedgasse 1. You can also find flyers and posters about current events, as well as further information.

For families with children, the playground on Ringstraße is another option for a break. Its listed facilities include a climbing frame, a seesaw, a swing, a spring rider and a carousel. Since playground equipment can change over time, it is advisable to check the current facilities if you are planning a visit specifically for this purpose. In summer, swimming is also possible at the nearby Bechthaler Weiher pond, below the castle ruins.

Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen as a wider travel destination

The wider travel destination of Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen offers additional themes to explore. The southern part of the district lies in the Altmühltal Nature Park. The Limes runs for around 40 kilometres across the district and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site there since 2005. In Weißenburg, the Roman Museum displays Germany’s largest Roman treasure find and houses the Central Bavarian Limes Information Centre. The Roman Baths are also part of the Roman heritage there; throughout the district, numerous watchtowers, forts and fragments of bathhouses also bear witness to Roman history. The Biriciana fort in Weißenburg has been partially reconstructed.

Another destination in this broader region is the Hohenzollern Fortress of Wülzburg, above Weißenburg. The former Ansbach fortress stands on the highest hilltop in the southern Franconian Jura, at an elevation of 630 metres, and is considered an impressive monument to Renaissance fortress architecture in Germany. Guided tours are offered there from May to October, weather permitting; check the latest dates before travelling.

Routes also vary by activity and length. The Weißenburg Via Biriciana hiking trail follows old Roman roads to the Limes. The 200-kilometre Altmühltal Panorama Trail runs along the Altmühl from Gunzenhausen to Kelheim through the Altmühltal Nature Park and is certified as a “Quality Trail Wanderable Germany.” For cycling, the Altmühl Cycle Path runs for around 160 kilometres from Gunzenhausen to Kelheim. The Altmühl boat route is just under 120 kilometres long between Gunzenhausen and Dietfurt/Töging; conditions can vary seasonally. This makes it easy to distinguish between hiking, cycling and water-based options by activity and route length.

At Lake Altmühlsee, northwest of Gunzenhausen, swimming, sailing and surfing offer ways to enjoy the water. The roughly 120-hectare Bird Island offers ornithological guided tours led by the Bavarian Society for the Protection of Birds. If you plan to join a tour, check the latest dates before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Burgsalach, Bergen, Gnotzheim, Meinheim, Weißenburg in Bayern, Heidenheim, Westheim, Solnhofen.

Go to the regional travel overview: Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen.