Russell Hafter Holidays - Walking Holidays in Romantic Franconia and The Altmühl Valley

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For enquiries about any of these holidays		Please Telephone 01946 861652		[ Home ]

Walking Holidays in Central Franconia

Central Franconia, the country between the Rivers Main and Danube, is our favourite part of Germany. It is one of the most varied, interesting and romantic countrysides in Europe, at times still with a medieval feel to much of it. The Nature Parks of the Franconian Heights in the centre, the Steigerwald to the north and the Altmühl Valley to the south are the backgdrop to a host of historic towns such as Bad Windsheim, Rothenburg, Dinkelsbühl, Nördlingen, Eichstätt and Beilngries. All are architecturally fascinating and yet as well suited to shopping and relaxing as to sightseeing and exploring.

The woodland is mixed deciduous and coniferous, while open land is often dotted with small lakes. Wild flowers lend colour to the scenery and wildlife is rich and varied. Deer are common, wild boar and polecats are to be seen in the forest, while buzzards, kites and goshawks may be seen overhead.

The area is one of the dryest and sunniest in Germany, so the forests offer the perfect walking environment on a hot day. Walk all the way or use public transport for as much or as little of the route as you want, while your baggage is transferred. The following holidays are currently available:-

Cities of the Holy Roman Empire and The Romantic Road Walking in the Altmühl Valley The Celtic Way The Romantic Heart of Central Franconia For enquiries about walking holidays in Franconia, please telephone 01946 861652

The Cities of the Holy Roman Empire Walk
Walking tours of five and eight days
This tour along the Main to Danube Way long distance path parallels part of the world famous Romantic Road and passes through several former imperial cities of the Holy Roman Empire.

The countryside includes romantic river valleys, unspoilt farmland ancient woodlands and the open Ries plateau, the remains of a huge meteorite crater. Some years ago Edward Enfield brought this country to a wide audience in a series of radio broadcasts.

Walking from Rothenburg to Nördlingen, you will stay in five of the many romantic small towns along the way. The 5 day / 6 night option involves walking straight through; the 8 day / 9 night option allows you to stay two nights in Rothenburg, Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen, so that you can explore these small towns properly.

Detailed route and price information for the Cities of the Holy Roman Empire Walk

Walking in the Altmühl Valley
A six day walking tour
The River Altmühl is a tributary of the Danube. The countryside along the river forms the largest Nature Park in Germany.
There are two very different routes through this countryside: The recently created Altmühl Panorama Way is a fairly strenous, high level walk that runs mainly along the top of the valley, offering views over the river.
The more well established Altmühl Valley Way follows the river itself much more closely, and so is reasonably flat, making this potentially one of our more gentle holidays and as such is particularly suitable for families with children.
It is possible to walk the entire way alongside the river, but you will find this route busy with cyclists and so even for those looking for a more gentle route we still recommend a route that sometimes takes you along the top of the slopes above the river.
The longer stretches are easily shortened by using public transport.

The route is characterised by limestone outcrops through which the river winds its way. The cliffs of the Twelve Apostles are one of the most photograped sights in Germany. Fossils can be found in many places and you will pass the spot where the first remains of Archeopteryx, the first bird, were discovered. For the enthusiast of flora and fauna - whether those of today or the past - this is the walk for you!

The route takes you from Treuchtlingen past limestone cliffs and rich fossil beds to the cathedral and university town of Eichstätt. Then you continue via romantic Beilngries to the Danube at Kelheim.
This tour is not described in our brochure

Detailed route and price information for Walking in the Altmühl Valley

The Celtic Way - a six day walking tour
This walking tour follows the heights above the western scarp edge of the Steigerwald Nature Park. This area was once home to the Celts, as shown today by the remains of burials and settlements. Also along the way are a number of vineyards.

The route starts in the romantic town of Bad Windsheim. There are a number of castle ruins and the interesting monastery at Ebrach to be seen along the way, which ends on the banks of the River Main close to Bamberg. Although not included in the package, we strongly recommend that you spend an extra night in Bamberg after the walk.
This tour is not described in our brochure

Detailed route and price information for the Celtic Way.

Schillingsfürst
A six day single centre holiday
Schillingsfürst, in the Romantic Heart of Central Franconia, has central location which makes it the ideal spot for a walking or cycling holiday. On the Main to Danube Way, Schillingsfürst lies above the valley of the Tauber and at the source of the River Wörnitz. There is a fine palace to visit and an excellent network of footpaths and cycle routes. Being only 10 miles from Rothenburg Schillingsfürst is also ideally situated for visiting historic sites as well as just relaxing.

Detailed information about this Holiday in Schillingsfürst

Why not combine one of these holidays with a Bavarian holiday? Please e-mail us for more information. Please supply a contact telephone number and a full postal address with your enquiry. Thank you.

For enquiries about any of these holidays		Please Telephone 01946 861652		[ Home ]
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