Best cave trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
The Altmühltal Nature Park is a 2962 square kilometre nature park in Bavaria, which is almost identical in area to the Southern Franconian Alb. It was founded in 1969 and is the fourth largest nature park in Germany. The nature park is home to a number of protected areas, such as the Jura dry slope, Thalach meadows, Weltenburger Enge and the Kuhbachtal valley, and the popular Altmühltal Panorama Trail runs through the nature park and leads past scenic and cultural experiences.
Top sights
Top trails
- 4.0 (26)·Moderate·11.4 km·Est. 3.5–4 hrIdyllic circular hike in the Altmühltal Nature Park near Kinding in Bavaria. This beautiful hiking trail leads mostly along wild and romantic paths through the forest. Start at the car park in the direction of Kipfenberg. The path first leads somewhat steeply up into the forest to the "Klause" - a rock cave that was once inhabited by a hermit. Via the burial mounds from the Hallstatt period, the route follows the Altmühltalpanoramaweg through the forest past the Torfelsen rock to...
- 4.5 (24)·Moderate·44.1 km·Est. 10.5–11.5 hrThis route is stage 3 of the Altmühltal Cycle Path, a long-distance trail between Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Kelheim. Starting in Treuchtlingen, this 44.3 km section follows the Altmühl river past the impressive rock formations of the Frankenalb to the baroque city of Eichstätt. The route passes historical landmarks such as Pappenheim Castle, the Sola Basilica in Solnhofen, and the dramatic rock formation of the Hülzernen Klinge. Overnight stays are usually in local guesthouses, inns, and...
- 4.2 (15)·Moderate·6.3 kmPanoramic circular hike near Dollnstein in the Alltmühltal Nature Park. The first part of the hike is quite overgrown with plants in places - long trousers and sturdy shoes are therefore highly recommended. Here you also walk over sticks, stones, roots and sometimes along ropes. The way back, on the other hand, is somewhat wider, flat and easier to walk.
- 4.8 (19)·Hard·24 km·Est. 6.5–7.5 hrVaried circular hike in the Altmühltal Nature Park, Bavaria. Rugged rocks, idyllic riverbanks and beautiful views characterise this route. Starting in Kehlheim, the route first leads through the Weltenburger Enge nature reserve, directly along the Danube. Most of the route follows the Weltenburger Höhenweg, which is known for its diversity. The route then continues along the Altmühl, along the northern bank of which it also returns to the starting point. Beautiful highlights along the route...
- 4.3 (10)·Hard·26.4 km·Est. 8.5–9 hrPanoramic circular hike around Kipfenberg in the Altmühltal Nature Park. A somewhat longer but very varied hike, characterised by river valleys, impressive rock formations, caves and, of course, numerous magnificent views of the Altmühltal valley. There are refreshment stops in Schambach and Kipfenberg. Highlights: - Freitagmühle - View from the Rauchenbergersteig - St Helen's Chapel - Arndthöhle cave - Kipfenberg Castle with Roman and Bajuwaren Museum - Geographical centre of...
- 4.1 (12)·Moderate·8 km·Est. 2.5–3 hrVaried and scenic circular route in the Altmühltal Nature Park, Bavaria. This beautiful route starts at Landgasthaus Wagner and leads up a steep path to the Altmühltaler Panoramaweg (also known as the "Burgenweg Kinding"). The route continues through beautiful forest to the Torfelsen rock and the caves of the eastern Schneiderloch. The effort is rewarded with marvellous views of the Altmühltal. Refreshments are available en route. Highlights: - Kinding Castle Trail - marvellous...
- 5.0 (5)·Moderate·11.4 km·Est. 3.5–4 hrThis scenic circular route starts at the modern city train station and quickly leads into the historic center of Eichstätt. Walking across the Spitalbrücke, visitors reach the cathedral square, surrounded by grand baroque architecture. A unique stop along the way is the Guardian Angel Church, famous for its hundreds of painted and sculpted angels. As the path climbs into the Altmühltal Nature Park, lookouts offer views of Willibald Castle and the traditional Jura-style houses with their...
- 3.9 (6)·Moderate·10.1 km·Est. 3–3.5 hrThis route is the 14th stage of the Altmühltal Panorama Trail, a long-distance hiking trail in Bavaria. This section leads from Riedenburg, the so called town of three castles, to Essing. A special highlight is the steep section through the gorge with its bizarre rock formations. From a viewing platform, hikers can enjoy a spectacular view of Prunn Castle, one of Bavaria’s best-preserved medieval castles, which they can also explore up close. The trail continues through dense forests and past...
- 4.9 (6)·Hard·24.3 km·Est. 7–8 hrThis route follows stage 13, the final leg of the certified "Jurasteig" premium trail, connecting Riedenburg back to the starting point in Kelheim. This wildly romantic section runs parallel to the Altmühltal-Panoramaweg. The hike leads along the Altmühl slopes into the ravine forest of the Klamm nature reserve and continues up to the spectacular Prunn Castle. Passing the azure-blue "Blautopf" karst spring, you cross the river into Essing via the "Tatzlwurm", one of Europe's longest wooden...
Visitor info
The Altmühltal Information Centre is open in the summer season, i.e. from Palm Sunday to 31 October, Mon - Fri from 9 am - 5 pm and at weekends from 10 am - 5 pm. In the winter season, the centre is closed at midday, which means that it is open Mon - Thu from 9am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm and Fridays from 9am - 12pm.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best trail with caves to hike in Altmühltal Nature Park?
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How many cave trails are in Altmühltal Nature Park?
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Activities
- Backpacking trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Bike touring trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Bird watching trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Camping trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Mountain biking trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Road biking trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Running trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Walking trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
Attractions
- Beach trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Cave trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Easy trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Forest trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Hard trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Lake trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Long trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Moderate trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- River trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Short trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Trails with historic sites in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Trails with views in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Waterfall trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Wildflower trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
- Wildlife trails in Altmühltal Nature Park
Suitability
Points of interest
- Bienenkorb
- Wieserkreuz
- Zwölf Apostel
- Kloster Trauntal bei Kelheim
- St. Georg
- Hall of Liberation
- Alcimoennis (ehem. kelt. Stadt)
- Klause
- Östliches Schneiderloch
- Michelsberg
- Ruine Tachenstein
- Ruine Rabenstein
- Teufelskanzel
- Burgruine Tachenstein
- Ruine Rabenstein
- Römischer Wachturm 14/64
- Limes
- Limesturm Erkertshofen
- Römischer Wachturm (Limes) 14/65
- Fundament Römischer Wachturm (Limes) 14/78