Walking in the Altmühl Valley 2008This tour is not described in our brochure |
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| For enquiries about this holiday telephone 01946 861652 | [ Baggage Transfer ] | [ What is Included? ] |
Walking in the Altmühl Valley 2008This tour is not described in our brochure |
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You can spend either six or eight walking days over this tour.
You also have a choice of high and low level routes; the new Altmühl
Panorama Way along the top of the valley and the longer established
Altmühl Valley Trail, more or less along the valley floor. The Altmühl Panorama Way is one of the Top Trails of Germany meaning that its route has been devised to keep road walking to an absolute minimum and that the waymarking is exemplary. As you have to climb out of the bottom of the valley each day, it is significantly more demanding than the older walk which largely keeps to the valley floor. There is no need to decide in advance which route you want to walk. The maps provided show both routes clearly and the overnight points are the same for both routes. So you are completely free to decide your route when you set off from your hotel for the day. The route described below summarises the type of country and some of the towns and sights en route. Much of the way is through beautiful limestone country, while the end of the walk takes you through the dramatic Danube breakthrough. |
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Some of the most interesting contryside is at the beginning of the walk.
Starting in Treuchtlingen, the first town of note is Pappenheim, dominated
by a fine castle. Continue across juniper-clad heath to Solnhofen, one of
centres of European fossil hunting and where the first example of Archeopteryx
was found. Down in the valley you pass a cliff formation known as the Twelve
Apostles - one of the most popular sights in the whole of Germany! From here the route continues via Mörnsheim and Dollnstein. From here, those particularly interested in fossils will favour a lower level route, while those whose interests lie more toward the architectural will prefer the heights, for the views of the superb small university town of Eichstätt. From Eichstätt the route takes you to the Roman Fort at Pfünz, then along the river to the wetlands nature reserve at Gungolding. Continue to the castle at Arnsberg, then finally to Kipfenberg. From there you walk over the Kohlplatte, then along the Schellenberg Archeological Nature Trail to Kinding, where the fortified church is the oldest in the diocese. Now follow the top of the slopes above the river to the striking and massive natural rock arch at Unteremmendorf. From there you walk to the Kratzmühle lake and past Hirschberg Castle to the pretty town of Beilngries. |
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From here, at the lower level you can walk through watermeadows to
Kottingwörth where the church has fine 13 century frescos, while
the Panorama Way keeps to the wooded Arzberg plateau high above the river.
Either way, you end at the romantic town of Dietfurt, known as the town
of seven valleys. Keeping to the south bank of the river, you pass
the ruins of Flügelsberg Castle on the north bank. The low level
route takes you below Eggersberg Castle (now a hotel); the Panorama Way
passes through forests with fine views of Eggersberg Castle. The routes
join in Riedenburg. The final part of the route takes you first to the wooden bridge at Altessing (biggest in Europe!). The route then passes a nature reserve and Prunn Castle, everyone's idea of a medieval knight's stronghold. The Panorama Way passes the door of the castle, the low level route passes well below. Continue along the final stretch of the river, now fully canalised and part of the major inland shipping link between the Rgine and the Danube until you reach the major celtic iron age fortifications of the Keltenwall. Follow this down to the Danube at Weltenburg. From here you take the ship for the journey through the dramatic gorge where the Danube broke through the limestone barrier to end the walk at Kelheim. We offer two alternative packages. |
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Seven night package - Tour WEA/7Day 1. Arrive in Treuchtlingen. Day 2. Treuchtlingen to Mörnsheim (about 15 miles). Day 3. Mörnsheim to Eichstätt (about 16 miles). Day 4. From Eichstätt to Kipfenberg (about 18 miles). Day 5. From Kipfenberg to Beilngries (about 15 miles). Day 6. From Beilngries to Riedenburg (about 19 miles). Day 7. From Riedenburg to Kelheim (about 15 miles). The longer stretches can be reduced by using local public transport, either buses or local river boats. Tour Details WEA/7: 7 nights Bed & Breakfast, in good quality inns, in rooms with shower/WC . An upgrade to what is normally the best hotel in the town or village is available. Baggage transfer. The minimum size for bookings is two persons. Extra nights may be taken at any point. |
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Nine night package - Tour WEA/9Day 1. Arrive in Treuchtlingen. Day 2. Treuchtlingen to Solnhofen (about 9 miles). Day 3. Solnhofen to Dollnstein (about 11 miles). Day 4. Dollnstein to Eichstätt (about 9 miles). Day 5. From Eichstätt to Arnsberg (about 15 miles). Day 6. From Arnsberg to Unteremmendorf (about 12 miles). Day 7. From Unteremmendorf to Dietfurt (about 14 miles). Day 6. From Dietfurt to Riedenburg (about 14 miles). Day 8. From Riedenburg to Kelheim (about 15 miles). Tour Details WEA/9: 9 nights Bed & Breakfast, in good quality inns, in rooms with shower/WC. Baggage transfer. The minimum size for bookings is two persons. Extra nights may be taken at any point. |
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Dates: Available from April to October. Tour Code: WEA/7 2008 Tour Price: Rail via Brussels/Cologne - £613 2008 Tour Price: Self-Drive via Harwich-Hoek van Holland - £459 2008 Tour Price: Rail from Munich Airport - £431 Tour Code: WEA/9 2008 Tour Price: Supplement to above prices (Double Room) - £98 2008 Tour Price: Single Supplement - WEA/7 - £87 2008 Tour Price: Single Supplement - WEA/9 - £110 2008 Tour Price: Accommodation Upgrade (Double Room) - WEA/7 only - £69 2008 Tour Price: Accommodation Upgrade (Single Room) - WEA/7 only - £85 2008 Tour Price: Additional Nights (Double Room) - £35 2008 Tour Price: Additional Nights Upgraded accommodation (Double Room) - £42 |
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Please check our travel page for information on other ways
of travelling to your holiday. Please contact us for prices when using one of these other routes, and also for single supplements, child discounts and so on. Our telephone number is 01946 861652. |
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| For enquiries about this holiday telephone 01946 861652 | [ Central Franconia ] | [ Walking Index ] |