Altenthann: Parish Village, Hiking Trails and Local History

Altenthann at a Glance

Altenthann can be explored through two main attractions: its Baroque-influenced parish village and the hiking trails through the Vorwald landscape. The church and other historic buildings are at the heart of the village; outside, trails lead to natural monuments and scenic features. Guided alpaca hikes are also among the activities on offer in Altenthann.

Church and Circular Hiking Trail

The parish church of St. Nicholas and St. Margaret, the rectory and the “monastery” form the center of Altenthann and give the village its character as a Baroque parish village. The parish church is also a point of interest on the Schönfeld & Otterbach circular hiking trail. This means the historic village center can also serve as a practical landmark for a hike.

The Schönfeld & Otterbach circular hiking trail starts at Altenthann parish church. It is 10.8 kilometers long and marked with colored triangles and rectangles used by the Bavarian Forest Association. Check the current trail conditions locally before setting out. This lets you compare the route information with conditions on the day of your visit.

Hiking and Activities

Seven hiking trails explore the Altenthann Vorwald landscape and lead to numerous natural monuments and scenic features. Some trails follow the Regensburg Castles Trail to castle ruins. When planning, you can decide whether to focus mainly on the landscape, individual natural monuments or the named circular trail, which starts at the parish church.

Another guided activity is the alpaca hikes, also known as alpaca trekking, offered by the Obermeier family. The tours start at the alpaca farm in Altenthann. If you plan to take part, check the current arrangements before your visit, as provider information may change.

Local History Museum and Village History

The Altenthann Local History Museum showcases rural culture before industrialization and the far-reaching changes brought about by mechanization, electrification, new transport routes, new ways to communicate and industrially manufactured products. Its subject matter ranges from rural farming life to changes that fundamentally shaped everyday life and communication.

Hans Hemrich is another important figure in the village’s history. A teacher and district heritage officer, he collected more than twenty years’ worth of rural artifacts in Altenthann. He died in 1987. His long-standing collecting work is part of the village’s history, alongside the changes explored by the local history museum.

More Topics in the Wider Regensburg Travel Destination

The wider Regensburg travel destination also encompasses its own cultural and landscape attractions. These include the Walhalla on the Danube, a neoclassical memorial and hall of fame. Since 1842, notable Germans and people associated with German history have been honored there with marble busts and commemorative plaques. Its exterior is designed in the Doric style and features 52 columns.

There are several ways to find your way to the Walhalla: From the Stone Bridge in Regensburg, passenger boats operated by Klinger and Wurm & Noé travel along the Danube to the foot of the Walhalla from Easter through October. From the bus stop, a roughly 20-minute walk leads uphill via 358 steps. If you plan to travel by boat, check the operating schedule for your travel dates in advance.

Another distinct attraction in the wider Regensburg travel destination is the Nepal Himalaya Park in Wiesent. This nine-hectare site brings together Asian culture and nature, with a Nepalese temple, a diverse perennial garden and numerous Asian works of art. The grounds also include a Himalayan garden and a Chinese garden, as well as more than 6,200 different plant species. In this regional context, architecture, gardens and plant diversity are stand-alone topics alongside Altenthann’s village center and hiking trails.

For the wider travel overview: Donaustauf.