Discover Altmühltal: River, Cliffs and Roman History

The Altmühl winds through deep valleys, past prehistoric rock reefs and juniper heaths. This landscape, like the river itself, defines Altmühltal Nature Park, where trails and routes are designed for hikers, cyclists and canoeists. There are different ways to shape your trip: enjoy outdoor activities on land, spend time on the water, or visit natural and cultural sites.

The landscape around the Twelve Apostles

Between Solnhofen and Eßlingen, the imposing dolomite cliffs of the “Twelve Apostles” rock formation rise up. They are considered a scenic highlight of Altmühltal Nature Park. You can see them from the Altmühl if you’re canoeing, from the Altmühltal Cycle Route if you’re cycling, and on hikes around Solnhofen. This lets you experience the same rock formation from different perspectives, depending on whether you’re on the river, cycling or walking.

The nature reserve around the Twelve Apostles was established in 1984 and covers approximately 15.2 hectares. The limestone plateau is home to extensive semi-dry grasslands that give way to sparse juniper and pine forests. The transition between open areas and scattered trees is as much a part of this landscape as the cliffs themselves.

Hiking and cycling on long-distance routes

The 200-kilometre Altmühltal Panorama Trail follows the Altmühl from Gunzenhausen to Kelheim, crossing the nature park. The German Hiking Association has certified it as a “Quality Trail Wanderbares Deutschland.” The Altmühltal Cycle Route runs for around 160 kilometres from Gunzenhausen to Kelheim through the nature park, following the gently flowing Altmühl. Both routes connect the same starting and end points, but differ in the way you travel and in their length: one is a hiking route, the other a cycle route along the river.

When choosing your activities, the first thing to consider is whether you’d like to focus on covering a longer distance on foot or by bike. The Twelve Apostles provide a striking landmark along the way: the cliffs are visible both from the cycle route and on hikes around Solnhofen.

On the water and in the footsteps of geological history

The canoe route on the Altmühl runs for just under 120 kilometres through the nature park, between Gunzenhausen and Dietfurt/Töging. Its gentle current makes it suitable for both beginners and experienced canoeists; the Altmühl is considered an ideal river for families. This gives you the option of focusing on routes on the water as well as long-distance trails on land.

If you’re interested in fossils, there are three quarries in the nature park where you can search for them. At the Altmühltal Dinosaur Museum, a forest trail around 1.5 kilometres long takes you through 400 million years of geological history and past more than 70 lifelike replicas of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. The two activities offer different experiences: fossil hunting is about searching, while the museum trail takes you through a history spanning a vast expanse of time and past replicas of prehistoric animals.

Roman heritage and Baroque architecture at Weltenburg

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes, once the boundary of the Roman Empire, runs through the heart of Altmühltal Nature Park. The Roman fort of Castra Vetoniana is located above Pfünz. Its north gate, a corner tower and part of the defensive wall have been reconstructed; access to these reconstructed sections may vary by season. Since July 2006, the regional Limes information point has been located at the Roman and Bavarian Museum at Kipfenberg Castle, providing information about Roman World Heritage sites in the nature park. Check the latest visitor information before planning a specific visit.

You can discover another chapter of history at Weltenburg Abbey, at the entrance to the Danube Gorge. The abbey was founded around the year 600, making it the oldest monastic settlement in Bavaria. Its abbey church was built and decorated by the Asam brothers between 1716 and 1739, under the abbot at the time, Maurus Bächl. It is considered one of the outstanding achievements of the European Baroque. The Limes and Weltenburg thus represent two different historical perspectives: the Roman frontier and the history of monastic life and Baroque architecture.

Regional cuisine and practical information

Many innkeepers in Altmühltal Nature Park serve lamb specialities under the “Altmühltaler Lamm” brand name. As individual inns and menus can change, it’s a good idea to check the current offerings before visiting a particular restaurant.

From spring to autumn, leisure buses and VGN leisure routes operate in Altmühltal Nature Park on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. They have bicycle trailers and transport cyclists and their bikes back to their starting point. If you’d like to use this option when planning your cycling trip, check the latest operating days and timetables before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Steigerwald, Kronach, Bamberg, Neu-Ulm, Unterallgäu, Amberg-Sulzbach, Bavarian Swabia, Main-Spessart.

See the regional travel overview: Bavaria.