Jurasteig — hiking in the heart of Bavaria
Hiking Collection by Anette
13
Tours
68:11 h
150 mi
16,475 ft
Here, gently undulating plateaus cut by narrow river valleys are overlooked by hilltops and mountain peaks. Bizarre rocks and caves, juniper heaths, sparse beech forests and flowering dry grassland slopes enrich all the senses and provide stunning views time and again. This is the wonderful landscape of the Bavarian Jura.
On the approximately 240-kilometre-long (149 mi) Jurassic Trail, you can hike the region around the Upper Palatinate Alb bit by bit and be pampered in the world's oldest inn in Eilsbrunn, hike over an alpine trail through a magnificent rocky landscape, visit a bat cave or be impressed by Weltenburger Enge – a mighty gorge. Historic monasteries, remarkable castles and cosy villages all await your visit.
At the inns along the way, you’ll find wonderful accommodation as well as traditional and modern cuisine. And, of course, beer! The Bavarian Jura has a brewing tradition going back 1,000 years and you can quench your thirst after a hike with one of the more than 100 different varieties brewed in the region.
Across 13 stages with distances between 15 and 27 kilometres (9.3–16.7 mi), you follow the Danube from Kelheim and then walk alongside the rivers Naab, Vils and Lauterach. Across the beautiful Upper Palatinate countryside, you finally change to the valley of the White Laber and follow it to its confluence with the Altmühl and onwards until you reach the Danube again at Kelheim.
Of course, you can also hike individual stages, divide them up differently or plan day hikes from one location. The towns along the Jurasteig can be easily reached by public bus from the railway stations in Regensburg, Nuremberg, Amberg and Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz. Timetables and information are available from the ‘Bayern Fahrplan’: bayern-fahrplan.de/en/journey-planner.
The magnificent Jura landscape is waiting to be discovered. Pack your rucksack, lace up your boots and off you go!
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Last updated: March 8, 2022
Tours & Highlights
- Difficult06:0313.5 mi2.2 mph1,300 ft1,325 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Ok, this stage is already a bit of a challenge at 22 kilometers and it also goes up and down the Danube and the surrounding mountains. But if you like it sporty, you attach a short loop to the Liberation Hall on the Michelsberg in Kelheim right at the start. King Ludwig I had the monument built in the…
by Anette
- Intermediate04:289.70 mi2.2 mph1,250 ft975 ftFerryIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.
On the idyllic banks of the Danube in Bad Abbach, you first walk to the pedestrian bridge that connects the city and the "leisure island". The island was created with the construction of the Danube lock canal and you will find a swimming pool and sports facilities there as well as a beautiful campsite…
by Anette
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- Intermediate04:4810.4 mi2.2 mph1,200 ft1,450 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Immediately after you have left Eilsbrunn, it goes up to the most beautiful dry slopes of the Jura. The rocky landscape with poor grassland and many protected plant and animal species is very reminiscent of the foothills of the Alps and is a popular destination in the Regensburg region. If you like…
by Anette
- Intermediate04:339.99 mi2.2 mph1,225 ft975 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
In Pielenhofen the Jurasteig changes to the eastern bank of the Naab. You hike through the picturesque beech forest, the natural forest paths and the rocky Jura landscape of the Naabrangen natural forest reserve towards Duggendorf and Heitzenhofen.
There you cross the Naab again. On the other side, it…
by Anette
- Difficult05:0811.3 mi2.2 mph1,250 ft1,400 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The Jurasteig leaves the Naab near Kallmünz and makes its way through the narrow Vilstal. Past Traidendorf Castle, you walk along the banks of the Vils to Rohrbach. On the other side of the river there is a partially shaded path up to the ridge at Birkhof. The gentle landscape with its wide fields is…
by Anette
- Intermediate04:039.24 mi2.3 mph750 ft650 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The Jurasteig leads you west of Schmidmühlen up to the blue ground. You hike on charming and narrow paths through the natural mixed forest and reach the ridge at Winbuch. Through open fields and with a wonderful view over the undulating landscape you reach the shady forest again and walk down the valley…
by Anette
- Intermediate04:4110.3 mi2.2 mph1,225 ft1,025 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
After starting in Hohenburg, it goes straight back up to the Jura plateau with its characteristic vegetation. Again and again you have great views of the landscape and the ruins of Hohenburg, which towers on the Schlossberg on the other side of the Lauterach.
Soon you will have reached Allersburg with…
by Anette
- Intermediate04:149.22 mi2.2 mph1,200 ft1,000 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
For this stage, I recommend packing some provisions, because you will find few places to stop along the way. But numerous idyllic places along the way are wonderfully suitable for a short break or a picnic and entice with beautiful views or simply with an idyllic place in the flowering meadow or the…
by Anette
- Difficult05:2412.5 mi2.3 mph775 ft950 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Refreshments are few and far between on this delightful stage. There are many idyllic picnic spots on the Jurasteig, where you can take your breaks in peace and in the middle of nature. So don't forget to pack a decent picnic before you set off.
From Unterwiesenacker you hike down to the valley of the…
by Anette
- Difficult05:3712.2 mi2.2 mph1,500 ft1,625 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Directly on the outskirts of Deining, a sign draws your attention to the village's rock cellars. They are caves that were dug into the sandstone of the Brown Jurassic and used to be used to store food, beer and ice cream. A small, worthwhile detour of only 50 meters leads you to the rock cellars. Only…
by Anette
- Intermediate04:3110.2 mi2.3 mph750 ft975 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On this stage, too, you will be accompanied by the happy babbling of the White Labers. With their tributaries through the numerous springs in this area and their original course, a unique and magical natural landscape has emerged. You won't be surprised if you come across free-grazing cattle. Perfect…
by Anette
- Difficult07:5916.7 mi2.1 mph2,275 ft2,300 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
At around 27 kilometers, the longest stage of the Jurasteig lies ahead of you, at the end of which you reach Riedenburg, the pearl of the Altmühltal. From Dietfurt you first hike through the forest and up to the plateau. At Mühlbach you will then reach the Altmühltal with the wide waterway of the Main…
by Anette
- Difficult06:4214.3 mi2.1 mph1,800 ft1,825 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
The last and most beautiful stage first leads you to the fairytale rock complex of the Klamm natural forest reserve. Here you can expect sporty climbing on stone steps, wooden bridges and mossy stones. Arrived at the highest point, you will be rewarded with a wonderful view of the Prunn Castle opposite…
by Anette
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Collection Stats
- Tours13
- Distance150 mi
- Duration68:11 h
- Elevation16,475 ft
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