Cycling Tour Germany: The Altmühl Valley from the Source to the Danube

8 Days

Your trip

Are you thinking of cycling down the Altmühl?

Great idea: The Altmühltal Cycle Path is now one of the most popular cycle paths in Germany!

This is due to the Map_Altmuehleexcellent, mostly flat route that takes you away from traffic through wonderful nature and charming medieval towns. Imposing castles and palaces as well as interesting rock formations make for a varied route. The very good signposting ensures relaxed cycling stages.

Watch the fascinating changes of the Altmühl on its course from its source to the Main-Danube Canal and further to its mouth into the Danube.

Arrival

Railroad

  • Gunzenhausen is very easy to reach by train.
  • You can also find more information about the timetables at www.bahn.de.

Car/Parking

  • Parking available in unguarded private parking lot at the hotel. Please pay any fees directly on site. They are not included in the tour price.

Things to see on the way ...

  • Hohenzollern Residence Ansbach Palace & Orangery in the Margravial Court Garden
  • Charlemagne's Ditch near Gunzenhausen - and Charlemagne's attempt to build a canal between the Rhine and Danube rivers
  • Eichstätt Cathedral and Residence Palace and Willibaldsburg Castle on Day 4
  • Roman fort Vetoniana near Walting-Pfünz on the 5th day
  • Crystal Museum Riedenburg
  • Danube breakthrough to Weltenburg on day 7

Day by day

Arrival Rothenburg :
Day 1

Arrival Rothenburg

Individual journey to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. There issue of the tour documents. One unguarded private parking space is included.
Use the day of arrival to explore the medieval city individually.

Overnight stay in Rothenburg in 3*** Hotel Goldenes Fass or equivalent

Bike tour Rothenburg - Ansbach (approx. 54 km) :
Day 2

Bike tour Rothenburg – Ansbach (approx. 54 km)

In the morning issue of rental bikes (if booked). Today you cycle first slightly hilly to the source of the Altmühl. The Altmühl cycle path now continues to Hornau (excursion possibility to the source of the Altmühl + 6 km there & back). The route continues past Colmberg Castle to Ansbach. Visit to the magnificent Hohenzollern Palace (= Ansbach Residence; closed on Mondays!; if you arrive on Sunday, then visit on Tuesday morning; included in the tour price).

Overnight stay in Ansbach in the 3*** Hotel Schwarzer Bock or equivalent

Breakfast
Hotel
Bike tour Ansbach - Wettelsheim (approx. 61 km) :
Day 3

Bike tour Ansbach – Wettelsheim (approx. 61 km)

Today’s bike tour takes you past Lake Altmühl to Gunzenhausen and on to Charlemagne’s moat, where Charlemagne attempted to build a canal between the Rhine and the Danube. On we go to the day’s destination.

Overnight stay in Wettelsheim in the 3*** Hotel Sonne or equivalent

Breakfast
Hotel
Bike tour Wettelsheim - Eichstätt (approx. 50 km) :
Day 4

Bike tour Wettelsheim – Eichstätt (approx. 50 km)

You cross the Altmühltal Nature Park and cycle in numerous twists and loops through the beautiful notch valley in the Franconian Alb, past Pappenheim (castle, ruins) to Eichstätt (cathedral, residence, Willibaldsburg Castle, very beautiful town houses).

Overnight stay in Eichstätt in the 3*** Hotel Trompete or equivalent

Breakfast
Hotel
Bike tour Eichstätt - Beilngries (approx. 44 km) :
Day 5

Bike tour Eichstätt – Beilngries (approx. 44 km)

We recommend that you take a break from the stage at Walting-Pfünz in the Roman fort of Vetoniana. The route continues through the charming nature park, which is characterized by juniper heath. Passing the imposing Kipfenberg Castle, you will then reach the well-preserved medieval town of Beilngries.

Overnight stay in Beilngries in the 3*** Hotel Krone or equivalent

Bike tour Beilngries - Essing/Kelheim (approx. 42 or 51 km) :
Day 6

Bike tour Beilngries – Essing/Kelheim (approx. 42 or 51 km)

Passing Dietfurt you first drive to Riedenburg. Entrance to the Crystal Museum (included). Continuing a short distance along the Main-Danube Canal with its modern lock facilities, you cycle to where the Altmühl flows into the Danube at Kelheim.

Overnight stay in Essing in the 3*** GHotel Felsenwastl or in Kelheim in the 3*** Hotel Dormero or equivalent

Breakfast
Hotel
Bike tour Essing/Kelheim - Regensburg (approx. 47 or 38 km) :
Day 7

Bike tour Essing/Kelheim – Regensburg (approx. 47 or 38 km)

OUR TIP: Before you start your bike tour towards Regensburg, we recommend the boat trip through the breathtaking Danube breakthrough to Weltenburg (payable on site). Afterwards, bicycle tour along the Danube via Saal and Bad Abbach to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Regensburg.

Overnight stay in Regensburg in 4**** Hotel Hansa Apart or equivalent

Breakfast
Hotel
Departure or extension :
Day 8

Departure or extension

Do you still have a little time in your luggage? Treat yourself to a day of rest in Regensburg.

Services

are included ...

  • 7 x overnight stay with breakfast
  • Luggage service Rothenburg - Regensburg incl. 700,- € Liability / person
  • Private parking Rothenburg (unguarded)
  • Admission Hohenzollern Residence Ansbach
  • Admission Crystal Museum Riedenburg (except on days of rest such as Monday)
  • Saddle bag rental - also for customer's own bikes - 1.5 l mineral water
  • Info package with tour map
  • 7 days service phone

supplement you should still ...

  • Local taxes: In some cases, local taxes are levied by the municipalities / accommodation stations, approx. € 3,- per person and night - settlement on site
  • Return transfer Regensburg - Rothenburg by train / bus, additionally bookable, as described

Questions

Are there child discounts and family discounts?

Yes. Please specify when booking:
Discount for 2 adults in double room, maximum 1 extra bed
0 – under 6 years: 100%
6 – under 12 years: 50%: please select child 1 in the booking form.
12 – under 16 years: 25%: please select child 2 in the booking form.

Can I book a return transfer from Regensburg to Rothenburg?

Yes. We offer the following options:
– Return transfer by bus (Note: only available on Saturdays!): from approx. 50,- €
– Return transfer by train (remaining time): from approx. 25,- €
– Return transfer own bikes as per description WITHOUT transport insurance (Note: only Fri, Sat & Sun possible!): from approx. 30.- €
– Return transfer own bikes as per description WITH transport insurance (Note: only Fri, Sat & Sun possible!): from approx. 70.- €.
Please select when booking: Transfer pers or transfer bike with / without vers.

Please note: Depending on the accommodations we book for you, the overnight stops may differ from those indicated in the route plan. Please refer to your individual hotel list for accommodation locations! If you like - download the komoot app on your phone, search for this trip and let the app be your navigator and inspirer.

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Info

  • 131
  • 8 Days
  • flexible design
  • trip from place to place
  • Summer
  • Cycling tour
  • Hotel
  • Individual trip

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