The Altmühl Cycle Route
Are you looking for an introduction to the world of cycling tours? Then a cycling tour on the Altmühl Cycle Route is just the thing for you. Over a length of just under 250 kilometers, the Altmühl Cycle Route accompanies the river that gives it its name once right across Bavaria. The Altmühl is considered one of the slowest rivers in Germany. Like the river, like the cycle path close to its banks.
The Altmühl Cycle Route is not only one of Germany's most popular cycle routes but also one of the most leisurely. The unagitated nature of the Altmühl will seduce you into a decelerated cycling experience. With a gradient of just under 120 meters to the confluence with the Danube, you roll almost imperceptibly downhill on the almost flat cycle path. In addition, the Altmühl Cycle Route offers a special perspective on the numerous sights and natural phenomena in the heart of Bavaria. The ever-changing landscape is characterized by a multitude of geological and historical evidence. Prehistoric remains from the Jurassic period, Roman buildings, medieval castles, and venerable monasteries line the Altmühl Cycle Route. Thanks to its excellent quality and infrastructure, it is an ideal travel and holiday destination.
To name just a few of the highlights along the way: The Roman fort Biriciana in Weißenburg, baroque Eichstätt, Prunn Castle near Riedenburg, and Weltenburg Monastery near Kelheim.
On this page, you can find out more about the Altmühl Cycle Route, its topography, signposting and route quality as well as how to get there and the ideal time to travel. Be inspired by our cycling holidays along the Altmühl. We will be happy to advise you on your choice of route. If you decide to travel with us, we will take care of the hotel bookings and luggage transport for you. Carefree, just like the Altmühl itself.
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Short & simple: The Altmühl Cycle Route
- Length
approx. 250 km - Topography
Altitude profile ●●○○○
Mainly flat, slightly hilly for the first few kilometers. - Signposting
Uniform signage in both directions, with green-blue-yellow logo at all important intersections and additional information boards along the route. - Quality
The cycle path runs for the first few kilometers on paved forest and field paths as well as low-traffic side roads. From the Altmühlsee, mostly finely graveled cycle paths near the shore, without traffic nuisance.
Signpost Altmühl cycle path
On the way from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Kelheim
The Altmühl Cycle Route begins in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The town is considered one of the most romantic medieval towns in Germany. Accompanied by the hills of the Nature Park Frankenhöhe, you cycle the first few kilometers on the Altmühl Cycle Route through the Upper Altmühl Valley to Herrieden. Turn your back on the still very narrow Altmühl for a short while and take a detour to nearby Ansbach.
Shortly before you reach the baroque town of Gunzenhausen, you cycle along the shores of the Altmühlsee. The man-made lake is worth a dip in the cool water before the cycle path leads you into the Nature Park Altmühltal. It is characterized by its special landscape. Bizarre dolomite rocks, castles, and fragrant juniper heaths accompany you along the cycle path. A detour to Weißenburg is also worthwhile. The Roman fort Biriciana in the town area and the legendary Hohenzollern fortress Wülzburg overlooking the town are real eye-catchers. Back on the Altmühl Cycle Route, you reach the thermal spa town of Treuchtlingen.
A few kilometers further on, you will discover Pappenheim Castle perched on a hill. Solnhofen, famous for its fossil deposits, and the university town of Eichstätt with Willibaldsburg Castle and the prince-bishop's residence are also on your route. On your way towards the mouth of the Altmühl, the Altmühl valley continues to spread out. Stops at the Beilngries Brewery Museum and Hirschberg Castle are worthwhile, as is Dietfurt, known as Bavarian China.
Bei Dietfurt trifft die Altmühl auf den Main-Donau-Kanal. Sie teilt sich mit ihm das Flussbett auf knapp 34 Kilometern und ist nun schiffbar. Ein nächstes Highlight am Altmühl-Radweg ist das Städtchen Riedenburg, das von Schloss Rosenburg und den Burgruinen Rabenstein und Tachenstein umgeben ist. Unweit Riedenburgs treffen Sie auf die Burg Prunn, eine der eindrucksvollsten Ritterburgen Deutschlands. Besuchen Sie in der Nähe von Essing die Tropfsteinhöhle Schulerloch und bestaunen Sie die Befreiungshalle auf dem Michelberg nahe der alten Herzogstadt Kelheim.
At Dietfurt, the Altmühl meets the Main-Danube Canal. It shares the riverbed with it for almost 34 kilometers and is now navigable. The next highlight on the Altmühl Cycle Route is the small town of Riedenburg, surrounded by Rosenburg Castle and the castle ruins of Rabenstein and Tachenstein. Not far from Riedenburg, you will come across Prunn Castle, one of the most impressive knight's castles in Germany. Visit the Schulerloch stalactite cave near Essing and marvel at the Befreiungshalle on the Michelberg near the old ducal town of Kelheim.
Below the town, the Altmühl flows into the Danube. Although the Altmühl Cycle Route ends here, it is worth continuing, now on the Danube Cycle Route, to Regensburg. Do you fancy cycling the entire Altmühl? Then we recommend our classic route from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Regensburg. By the way, the Altmühl Cycle Route can also be cycled in the opposite direction.
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Travel time
Experience shows that the middle and lower sections of the Altmühl Cycle Route are very busy in July and August. Finding accommodation becomes even more difficult. Ideally, you should switch to these cycle path sections in April and June and September and October. The Upper Altmühl Valley is less frequented and thus offers optimal conditions for quieter cycling between March and October.
As the Altmühl does not flow very fast, it offers ideal cooling in one of the designated river swimming pools during the summer months.
Cycling break in the Altmühltal Nature Park
Arrival
If you want to ride your own bike on the Altmühl Cycle Route, we recommend traveling by car or train. All larger towns along the Altmühl Cycle Route are connected to the motorway and federal road network. Many towns between Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Eichstätt, as well as Kinding, Saal an der Donau (about eight kilometers from Kelheim), and Regensburg are connected to the long-distance or regional railway network. Please make sure that your chosen train connection allows you to take your bicycle with you. Along the Altmühl Cycle Route, the towns of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Ansbach as well as Regensburg (on the Danube Cycle Route) are served by long-distance bus. You must register in advance if you wish to take your bike with you. The nearest airports are in Nuremberg and Munich.
The source of the Altmühl
Short cuts
If you do not want to cycle a stage or the weather is not cooperating, you can shorten your stage. However, this is not always possible without problems. Railway lines or stations that run parallel to the cycle path are rare. You must therefore reckon with longer detours. Only between Gunzenhausen and Eichstätt does the railway line run close to the cycle path. Between Eichstätt and Kelheim and as far as Regensburg, the FreizeitBus runs on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from spring to autumn. The bus has a bicycle trailer. Groups with more than ten bikes must book in advance. The Altmühl is navigable from Dietfurt. However, regular boats mainly run between Riedenburg and Kelheim. Bicycles can be taken on board.
Kipfenberg Castle on the Altmühl
Who is the Altmühl Cycle Route suitable for?
The Altmühl Cycle Path is ideal for cycling beginners. Thanks to the gentle gradient of the Altmühl River of just 120 meters along the entire route, you can cycle from place to place without any problems on the Altmühl cycle path close to the river banks. The gradients, most of which are barely noticeable, are also suitable for families. You can leave your children to cycle on their own for long stretches without any worries. The many places to take a break along the way offer an additional relaxation factor. Our family cycle tour, which also takes you to the Franconian Lake District, is particularly family-friendly.
Nature lovers will get their money's worth in the extensive Altmühltal nature park with its picture-book landscapes. The same goes for culture and history enthusiasts: visitor quarries for amateur geologists, prehistoric treasures and Roman sites, medieval castles, and magnificent residences - there is plenty to discover along the Altmühl cycle path.
The area along the Altmühl also offers a high recreational value for climbers, hikers, and canoeists. If you want to take a sporty approach, we also recommend the Altmühl cycle path. The well-developed cycle path is ideal for cycling a few more kilometers than usual.
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