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Arriving at the Fränkisches Seenland
A pure travel day to ease in gently, no cycling distance to speak of.
If you arrive early, you can cycle to the Altmühlsee in the afternoon for a swim.
This is where your trip begins. From Stuttgart, you'll head towards the Fränkisches Seenland by train with your bikes.
A small Franconian town on the edge of the Fränkisches Seenland and the official starting point of the Altmühltal cycle path. The nearby Altmühlsee, with its long bathing bays and the Seezentrum Schlungenhof, invites you for a first dip in the water on the very day you arrive.
A traditional inn with its own brewery right in the old town, cycle-friendly with a lockable bike room. A good base for the first evening, with short walks to the ice cream parlour and restaurants for the 14-year-old.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
The first river miles and a swim in the lake
A short stage of around 30 km with a long break for swimming and the thermal baths.
The cycle path is flat and family-friendly here.
A flat bathing lake with a sandy beach and long grassy areas for lying out, perfect for an early dip before the stage. Pedal boats and SUPs are available to hire for a bit of variety.
A historic tower from the old town fortifications, with remains of the Roman wall nearby. A short stop to take in the first taste of history before heading to the Altmühl.
A small town on the Altmühl with a striking castle ruin above the town and the Altmühltherme right by the river. The valley later offers plenty for climbing, but for now the warm thermal water and the ruin are the main draw.
A thermal and adventure pool with slides and outdoor pools, right on the cycle path. Just the thing to loosen up tired cycling legs and give the 14-year-old an afternoon of fun.
A family-run inn with Franconian cuisine and secure bike storage. Centrally located, with short walks to the thermal baths and the station.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Fossils, cliffs and the Willibaldsburg
Around 35 km with plenty of entertaining stops for fossil hunting and climbing.
The climb up to the Willibaldsburg is short but sharp.
A famous fossil museum with an original Archaeopteryx from the Solnhofen limestone plates. In the nearby visitor quarry, children and teenagers can split slabs themselves and search for their own fossils.
A bizarre limestone rock formation of individual dolomite towers rising out of the forest. A short climb up from the cycle path, with great valley views and rocks to scramble around on at the top.
A baroque bishop's town right in the heart of the Naturpark Altmühltal, with a lovely cathedral square and lanes. The Willibaldsburg towers above the town, and the Altmühl offers quiet bathing spots on the edge of town.
A mighty hilltop castle above Eichstätt with a wide view over the valley, housing the Jura-Museum with fossils and another Archaeopteryx inside. The climb up is well worth it for history buffs and nature lovers alike.
A historic hotel right on the market square with cycle-friendly facilities and a lockable bike room. Ideal for an evening stroll through the baroque old town.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Swimming in the Altmühl and traces of the Romans
A short stage of around 25 km with plenty of time for swimming.
Ideal for a relaxed afternoon by the river.
A quiet, flat bathing spot on the slow-flowing river, perfect for a refreshing swim on a hot August day. Meadows for resting lie right on the cycle path.
A partially reconstructed Roman fort on the Limes, with towers and walls to explore. Hands-on history that makes a great contrast to swimming in the river.
A picturesque village with a castle above the market square, situated near the geographical centre of Bavaria. The Römer- und Bajuwaren-Museum in the castle tells the story of the Limes and the early settlers.
A museum in the castle above the village, with finds from the Limes and a reconstructed Bavarian grave. The castle offers a wide view over the Altmühltal.
A cosy inn in the village centre with Franco-Bavarian cuisine and secure bike storage. A quiet night in one of the prettiest villages in the valley.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Castles, climbing cliffs and the nature park at its best
Around 40 km, the most spectacular stretch of the whole route scenically.
Check the Falkenhof's display times in advance and plan your arrival accordingly.
Untouched Jura cliffs at the edge of the valley, showing the Naturpark Altmühltal at its wildest. Climbers will find secured routes here, and just clambering around on the rocks is great fun too.
A charming little town with a well-preserved town wall and towers, at the point where the Main-Danube Canal joins the river. A good spot for a lunch break and an ice cream in the sun.
A town in the narrow lower Altmühltal, overlooked by no fewer than three castles, including the well-preserved Rosenburg with its falconry centre. Steep limestone cliffs and the river for swimming lie all around.
A medieval castle high above the town with daily flying displays featuring eagles, vultures and falcons. The bird of prey show wins over even the most reluctant teenagers.
A family-run hotel with its own brewery on the market square, cycle-friendly with a lockable bike room. A central spot for the climb up to the Rosenburg and one last stroll by the river.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Boating between rock walls
Around 25 km of cycling plus a boat trip and a monastery as the crowning finale.
From Kelheim there are good train connections for the journey home to Stuttgart, usually via Regensburg or Ingolstadt with bikes carried on board.
Reserve bike spaces on the train in good time for the journey home, whether on the same day or the next.
The end point of the Altmühltal cycle path, where the Altmühl and the Main-Danube Canal meet the Danube. The Befreiungshalle towers above the town, while excursion boats depart below for the Donaudurchbruch.
A passenger boat trip through the narrow Donaudurchbruch, with sheer limestone cliffs rising up on either side, all the way to the baroque Kloster Weltenburg. The journey between the steep rock walls is the spectacular highlight of the trip.
The world's oldest monastery brewery, picturesquely set in a bend of the Danube. In the shady monastery courtyard you'll find snacks and soft drinks, while the river all around invites you for a swim.
A monumental circular hall high above the Danube with a wide view over the river valley. The climb up is worth it for the impressive panorama that rounds off the tour.
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