Kelheim between the Danube Gorge and history

The Danube Gorge and regional contrasts

The northern part of Kelheim district, including Kelheim, Essing and Riedenburg, lies within Altmühltal Nature Park. In Kelheim, the “Weltenburger Enge, Hirschberg and Altmühlleiten” nature reserve includes the unique Danube Gorge. In 2020, the Weltenburger Enge became the first site to be designated a National Natural Monument. This protected landscape encompasses a distinctive stretch of the Danube.

In the southern part of the district, Abensberg, Neustadt an der Donau, Biburg, Rohr i. NB and Mainburg lie in the Hallertau. It is considered the world’s largest contiguous hop-growing region. This creates a clear regional contrast to consider when planning your trip: Altmühltal and the Danube Gorge are highlights in the north, while the Hallertau lies to the south. Which area interests you more can already influence where you search for accommodation.

Hiking trails, rivers and cycling routes

There are eleven hiking trails in the Weltenburger Enge nature reserve. One described hike is 13 kilometres long: it starts in Essing and follows a route via the Tatzlwurm, past the Klausenhöhlen caves and along the Celtic Wall to the Danube Gorge. This lets you compare the reserve’s selection of trails with a hike whose length and route are specified. A stage of the East Bavarian Way of St James also leads from Kelheim to the Weltenburger Enge.

The Danube Cycle Path passes through Weltenburg and Kelheim. In Kelheim, it runs by the Old Town and the Befreiungshalle. If you want to combine cycling with sightseeing, these locations provide concrete points of reference for planning. Check conditions on the Danube Cycle Path before your trip.

Another themed trail is the Altmühltal Archaeology Park. It extends for 39 kilometres and comprises 18 sites between Kelheim, Essing, Riedenburg and Dietfurt. Most sites are directly on the Altmühltal Cycle Path. The subject matter ranges from Neanderthals to the Celts; the sites are free of charge and open to the public. With its gentle flow, the Altmühl is considered an ideal river for families.

Memorial and archaeological traces

The Befreiungshalle in Kelheim was commissioned by King Ludwig I. It is a memorial to the victorious battles against Napoleon during the Wars of Liberation from 1813 to 1815. Prunn Castle, meanwhile, is known as the place where an original manuscript of the Nibelungenlied was found. Both sites connect a trip with history, while the Archaeology Park explores much earlier periods, from Neanderthals to the Celts.

These differences can help you decide what to focus on each day: the Befreiungshalle commemorates the Wars of Liberation, Prunn Castle is associated with the Nibelungenlied manuscript, and the Archaeology Park’s sites trace early settlement history. Alongside the hiking trails and cycling routes, they offer a choice of nature, outdoor activities and historical themes—without every trip needing the same focus.

Choose your search location based on your travel plans

If you’re planning to visit Kelheim’s Old Town, the Befreiungshalle or a stage of the Way of St James, you can use Kelheim as your search location. In the southern part of the district, Abensberg, Neustadt an der Donau, Biburg, Rohr i. NB and Mainburg are useful location references. This way, you can focus your search on the area you want to visit instead of choosing solely by a general nature or culture theme.

The pace you have in mind can also help you decide: a hike with a specified route, several archaeological sites or the Danube Cycle Path each bring different interests to the fore. First choose the places and themes that matter for your days, then look for accommodation in the relevant area.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ihrlerstein, Rohr in Niederbayern, Langquaid, Painten, Riedenburg, Bad Abbach, Kelheim, Siegenburg, Saal an der Donau, Abensberg, Neustadt an der Donau, Volkenschwand, Aiglsbach, Elsendorf, Wildenberg.

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