Altmühl Cycle Route
Table of Contents
Classic Altmühl Tour
We booked the cycling tour 02 – 10.05.2022 with Discovery Reisen, the organiser was DERTOUR Radreisen and the tour was run by Donau Touristik GmbH from Austria.
Arrival
The journey by public transport turned out to be a bit adventurous.
Due to construction work on the railway line, we had to change means of transport many times. The S-Bahn took us from Tamm via Stuttgart. After a long walk across the east wing, we were able to see the construction progress of Stuttgart 21. A DB regional express took us to Fornsbach. Due to the construction work we had to change to a so-called rail replacement service, in this case a bus, which took us to Gaildrorf West. After waiting for 1 hour, the DB took us to Dornbühl. The bus took us to the station in Rothenburg. Finally arrived. Travel time 5 hours.
The way to the Goldenen Fass was at least short.
A warm welcome made us forget the difficult journey. Here we received extensive documentation for our bike tour as bedtime reading.
Then came the highlight of the evening in Rothenburg: a visit to the medieval town centre. On some days the old town was full of national and international visitors. Today there was a pleasant calm. Rothenburg still has an intact town wall. Our walk along the well-preserved city wall gave us wonderful perspectives of small alleys and lively backyards hidden between the old half-timbered walls.
For our culinary finale, we enjoyed delicious pancakes at Pfannkuchen-Kuchel.
02.05.2022 – 03.05.2022 Hotel Goldenes Fass
Fam. Angerer
Ansbacherstrasse 39
91541 Rothenburg o.d.T.
From Rotheburg o.T. to Ansbach (1st stage 47km)
– Komoot: From Rothenburg o.d. Tauber to Ansbach –
The first stage of our tour on the Altmühl Cycle Path started in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.at the Goldenen Fass. After the handover of the e-bikes (Kalkhoff Impuse 2.0) in beautiful Danube blue and the adjustment measures by a nice Serbian service man, we immediately started our tour in the direction of the headwaters of the Altmühl, the Frankenhöhe Nature Park. Here we discovered the “source of the Altmühl” carved in stone in the Hornauer Weiher.
In Colmberg, we spotted the medieval Colmberg Castle from a distance, perched on a 511m high mountain above the town.
After a few kilometres, mostly on narrow country roads with little traffic, we reached Ansbach.
We found the Hürner Hotel right away. A large relatively new hotel not far from the centre of Ansbach. We could park our e-bikes in a separate bicycle garage.
During our stroll through the old town, we were impressed by the Margravial Residence, the old seat of government of the Margraves, and the Court Garden.
For the culinary finale, we enjoyed a burger at Ruff’s Burger, of course. The restaurant was almost exclusively frequented by foreign guests.
03.05.2022 – 04.05.2022 The Hürner Hotel – Brauhaus
Blank Hotel GmbH
Castle Street 7
91522 Ansbach
GERMANY
From Ansbach to Weissenburg (2nd stage 73km)
Past Ornbau to the Altmühlsee lake near Gunzenhausen and on to Karlsgraben, Charlemagne’s attempt to connect the Danube and Rhine; on to Weissenburg; Franconian menu with wine accompaniment.
04.05.2022 – 05.05.2022 Hotel am Ellinger Tor
Sleep Well GmbH
Ellinger Street 5-7
91781 Weissenburg
From Weissenburg to Eichstätt (3rd stage 56km).
Through the Altmühltal Nature Park past Solnhofen and the Twelve Apostles rock group to the old bishop’s town. Individual sightseeing (cathedral, Willibaldsburg, Schutzengelkirche).
05.05.2022 – 06.05.2022 IBB Hotel Altmühltal
Franz Xaver Square 1
85072 Eichstätt
From Eichstätt to Beilngries (4th stage 50km)
Through the nature park to the Roman fort in Pfünz; via Arnsberg and Beilngries to the day’s destination.
– Komoot: From Eichstätt to Beilngries –
06.05.2022 – 07.05.2022 Hotel zur Krone GmbH
Mrs. Götz
Main Street 20
92339 Beilngries
From Beilngries to Kehlheim (5th stage 58km)
After a few kilometres, the Main-Danube Canal, the historic Ludwig-Main Canal and the Altmühl join at Dietfurt. They now lead together in the direction of Kelheim to the Danube. Fragments of the old Ludwig Canal are still partly present and integrated into the watercourse.
We were able to visit very beautiful places along the Altmühl. When we arrived in Kehlheim, we made a detour by bicycle in the direction of the Danube breakthrough to the Lange Wand. Due to the narrowness, the flow speed has increased considerably. I wonder what happens when the river really flows. On the opposite side we could see the three enemy brothers. For a few minutes we enjoyed the narrows and watched the passenger boats upstream whose next destination was the Weltenburg monastery.
– Komoot: From Beilngries to Kelheim –
07.05.2022 – 08.05.2022 Dormero Hotel Kelheim
Danube Street 22-26
93309 Kelheim
From Kelheim to Regensburg (6th stage 45km)
Passing Essing you reach Kelheim. Our tip: Take a boat trip through the breathtaking Danube breakthrough from Kelheim to Weltenburg Monastery and back (approx. € 13,- on site). Continue by bike past Saal an der Donau and Bad Abbach to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Regensburg.
09.05.2022 – 10.05.2022 Hansa Apart Hotel
Mrs. Dir. Noack
Frieden Street 7
93051 REGENSBURG
Regensburg and Valhalla (by boat)
By…..
09.05.2022 – 10.05.2022 Hansa Apart Hotel
Mrs. Dir. Noack
Frieden Street 7
93051 REGENSBURG
Journey home
We made the return journey by train. As far as Munich. ICE to Stuttgart. By S-Bahn home.
Summary
After 8 days and over 330 kilometres on the pedelec and a detour by boat to Walhalla, we have arrived home again!
It was a very beautiful and eventful holiday.
We were able to enjoy the landscapes to the left and right of the Weser and the encounters along the route and the hospitality in the towns.
The travel organisation by the Austrian Donau Touristik GmbH (booked through DER TOUR Radreisen from the Discovery/Tamm travel agency) was excellent, the pedelecs provided were in perfect condition.
The travel arrangements were well made. The distances between the accommodations were chosen in such a way that there was enough time to visit the sights along the way.
Donau Touristik – We can recommend this travel organisation without hesitation.
Rothenburg o.T. – Impressive historic old town
Ansbach – Great location and modern nice hotel
Weissenburg – Grandiose old town with flair
Eichstätt – Bishop’s town
Beilngries – Bavarian spa
Kehlheim – .Town near the Danube Breakthrough
Regensburg – Pulsating student city
Valhalla – The heaven of the gods
Goodbye – See you next time
Auf Wiedersehen – Bis zum nächsten mal
Ade, Servus – Bis zum nächsten mal
Schai, Schee war es
Many thanks to Reisebüro Discovery
