© Naturpark Altmühltal
Right through the Franconian Alb - the Altmühltal Panorama Trail
Hiking Collection by Top Trails of Germany
10
days
3-8 h
/ day
134 mi
14,975 ft
15,350 ft
In the middle of the massive limestone plate of the Franconian Jura, the Altmühl has dug its way through a deep valley over the millennia. On both sides of the river, the slopes rise up and rugged rocks throne high above the valley. The Altmühltal Panoramaweg leads you from the Altmühl lake at the edge of the Franconian Lake District through the picturesque river valley as you accompany the Altmühl on its long journey to the Danube. You will climb the wooded slopes, explore fossil-rich quarries, discover Stone Age caves, visit picturesque towns and impressive castle ruins. And, above all, you will be thrilled by the countless vantage points high above the valley, which offer you deep insights into the picturesque landscape.
Over 133 miles (215 kilometers) long, you'll hike the Altmühltal Panoramaweg in ten daily stages from Gunzenhausen at the Altmühlsee along the course of the Altmühl to Kelheim at the Danube. As you go, you'll cross the Altmühl Valley Nature Park, Bavaria's largest nature park. The signposted long-distance hiking trail leads you through varied landscapes of meadows, juniper heath and dense forests on field paths, hiking trails and also on to some narrow climbs.
Some stages are considerably longer than 12 miles (20 kilometers) and are therefore aimed primarily at hikers with great endurance and plenty of experience. However, as there are many cozy villages and towns along the way, you can easily divide the long stages into two or more days. In addition, you can also reach all the stage towns easily by bus or train. So you can put together your personal long-distance hike from your favorite sections of the Altmühltal Panorama Trail or complete individual stages as a day Tour. All timetables for buses and trains in the Altmühltal can be found at bayern-fahrplan.de.
Whether you hike all ten stages from the Altmühl lake to the Danube or just want to enjoy individual sections, the Altmühl valley with its picturesque nature will always fascinate you.
Hiking trails of more than 3,700 kilometers! The Top Trails are characteristic, unique and fascinating. And with all their similarities, yet all different. Each of the 12 trails has its own exciting story, each has its own special character. No one is like the other. No matter which path you choose, you will find your adventure! Take a look at our Collections: komoot.de/user/toptrailsofgermany/collections
On The Map
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Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full Tour below as a template.
Last updated: February 10, 2023
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
All stages of the Altmühltal Panoramaweg
- Intermediate03:448.64 mi2.3 mph750 ft225 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Your hike through the Altmühltal begins in Gunzenhausen, south of the extensive Altmühlsee. From the train station you follow the path through the historic old town and soon a wide landscape will spread in front of you. In its middle course, the Altmühl meanders as a small meadow river through an open…
- Expert08:2318.6 mi2.2 mph1,725 ft2,300 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Spielberg, the starting point of the second stage, is right on the edge of the Franconian Juraplatte. Accordingly, it will slowly get more mountainous from today. Right at the beginning you can expect a gentle ascent on a wooded mountain range. You follow the course of the ridge to the Yellow Mountain…
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- Intermediate04:3410.1 mi2.2 mph1,075 ft950 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Treuchtlingen is located right at the beginning of the Altmühltal and so you can look forward to the fantastic landscape on the third stage. First it goes over the open meadow landscape on the valley floor, before you climb steeply on the valley slope near Dietfurt.
High above the valley you hike on forest…
- Expert05:1811.5 mi2.2 mph1,350 ft1,525 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On the fourth stage of the Altmühltal Panoramaweg, the long-distance hiking trail lives up to its name: On the way between Solnhofen and Dollnstein you will be spoiled with countless views of the romantic valley.
Right at the beginning, one of the greatest highlights of the entire hike awaits you. Immediately…
- Expert05:4412.4 mi2.2 mph1,400 ft1,375 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The fifth stage of the long-distance hiking trail follows some picturesque bends in the Altmühltal and leads you to other geological highlights. Just a few meters from the Dollnstein starting point, you can admire rugged dry slopes. From here you hike close to the Altmühl over beautiful river meadows…
- Expert08:4118.8 mi2.2 mph2,275 ft2,375 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The sixth stage of the Altmühltal Panoramaweg begins in picturesque Eichstätt. From here it goes uphill over an extensive high plateau on the edge of the Altmühltal. Soon the trail leads back down into the valley and you hike along the edge of the forest above the river.
The hiking trail finally branches…
- Expert07:2616.3 mi2.2 mph1,850 ft1,850 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The seventh stage of the Altmühltal Panoramaweg runs through the narrowest and most rocky part of the Altmühltal. From Kipfenberg, the hiking trail initially winds over a wooded ridge. Especially on hot summer days, the trees provide cool shade and in winter you will be enchanted by the unique silence…
- Intermediate03:307.54 mi2.2 mph975 ft1,000 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The eighth stage is a real pleasure tour with its length of twelve kilometers. From Beilngries you climb comfortably to the Arzberg and enjoy beautiful views of the city and the Main-Danube Canal.
The Arzberg is a wide ridge around which the Main-Danube Canal flows in the north and the Altmühl in the…
- Expert06:5714.9 mi2.2 mph1,700 ft1,825 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Even if the course of the Altmühl and Main-Danube Canal was heavily straightened in the further course, the landscape on the ninth stage is no less impressive. From the starting point in Dietfurt, the watercourse winds through a narrow valley with towering valley slopes.
First you hike on beautiful river…
- Expert06:5714.9 mi2.1 mph1,900 ft1,925 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
On the tenth day of your hike, the last stage on the Altmühltal Panoramaweg is on. At the end you will be spoiled again with fantastic views, impressive rocks, idyllic villages and a detour to the Danube Valley.
The tenth stage begins in Riedenburg and the route takes you along a narrow hiking trail along…
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Collection Stats
- Tours10
- Distance134 mi
- Duration61:16 h
- Elevation14,975 ft15,350 ft
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