Altmühltal and Danube Gorge

Come to Rothenburg on time today! A historic old town with medieval flair awaits you. Marvel at the beautiful turrets and bay windows, the half-timbered houses lovingly decorated with flower boxes, beautiful patrician houses, magnificent facades and the Rothenburg market square, an international meeting place for young and old.

After a few kilometers by bike you will reach the Frankenhöhe, the headwaters of the Altmühl. The ridge is quickly mastered on small asphalted side streets without much effort, and soon afterwards Colmberg Castle greets you, one of the few well-preserved medieval castles in Germany. Rest at the height with a fantastic view or comfortably a few kilometers further in an idyllic forest swimming pool on the still young Altmühl. So refreshed you cycle on to Ansbach, a former residential town with a magnificent rococo palace, or to Herrieden.

On the banks of the Altmühlsee, the cycle route leads to one of the largest and most species-rich bird sanctuaries in Germany. Watch the hustle and bustle of the bird world. Jump into the floods of the beautiful lake and then marvel at the Karlsgraben before you reach your destination for the day.

The scenically most spectacular part of your bike tour begins in Treuchtlingen. The white gleaming dolomite rocks tower imposingly out of the Altmühltal. In the afternoon you can look forward to Eichstätt, an old baroque, bishopric and university town worth seeing. Elegant elegance and sweeping grace permeate the streets of Eichstätt. Baroque houses, churches and canons' courtyards shine in lovely colours. Marvel at the magnificent hall of mirrors and the staircase of the Residenz, which is well worth seeing, as well as at the water-spouting fountains on Eichstätt's squares

The Altmühl is slowly getting wider and wider, and the valley is becoming more and more beautiful. Be enchanted by the juniper heath, marvel at the Roman fort in Pfünz and look forward to Beilngries with its towers and interesting museums. In the afternoon, stroll comfortably through the old town of Beilngries and thus through the Middle Ages, Rococo and Baroque. Marvel at the venerable walls and extraordinary city towers that encircle Beilngries. They belong to the former city wall, parts of which are still preserved today. The towers themselves were built from 1407 - originally there were fifteen, today nine of them are still in place. Depending on which category you have booked, the overnight stay will be in Beilgries or Kinding-Enkering.

Experience a change in the river landscape once again: on the last 35 km to the confluence of the Altmühl and the Danube, the Rhine-Main-Danube canal cuts its way through the valley and replaces the original course of the river. Marvel at the longest wooden bridge in Europe and the Schulerloch stalactite cave. In the afternoon, take a trip on the Ludwigsbahn, a white and blue miniature train, from the shipping pier up to the Michelsberg to the Liberation Hall. Enjoy the magnificent view and marvel at the impressive structure commissioned by King Ludwig I of Bavaria. You shouldn't miss a visit to Schneider Weisse in the center of Kelheim today, as it is the oldest wheat beer brewery in Bavaria and offers you a shady spot in the beer garden. Depending on the booked category, your overnight stay will be in Kelheim, Abensberg, Bad Gögging or Riedenburg.

You cycle along the Abens and the Danube to the Weltenburg Monastery. Take a break in the monastery's beer garden before taking a romantic boat trip through the rugged Danube Gorge. Marvel at Regensburg's Stone Bridge, a masterpiece of medieval architecture, the Golden Tower, the oldest and tallest patrician tower in the UNESCO World Heritage city, the old town hall and St. Peter's Cathedral, one of the most important Gothic works in Bavaria.

Unfortunately it's over! If you still have some time, you can take part in a worthwhile city tour in the morning before you start your journey home. Book our practical return transfer to Rothenburg for your return journey (departure daily in the morning, duration approx. 3 hours).