Current as of: May 28, 2019 - 16:25 Valid for departures: From April 3, 2018 to December 31, 2019
Bavarian Rivers and Valleys Self-Guided Walk Trip Notes
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided 9 Days Land only Trip Code: Destinations: Germany Min age: 12 Leisurely / Moderate Programmes: Walking & Trekking W08BA
Trip Overview
This eight-night holiday takes you on a stunning journey, following the well-marked Jurasteig path, through the rich Bavarian countryside, covering riverside paths, flowering meadows, and pine-scented forests. Your walk follows the Altmuhl river with its steep valleys rich with castles and pretty towns, crossing Europe's longest wooden bridge to arrive at the confluence with the mighty Danube. After visiting the spa town of Bad Abbach, you'll leave the Danube behind and climb into the lower German Jura Mountains to arrive at Eilsbrunn, finishing at the world's oldest inn.
At a Glance
8 Nights, hotel-to-hotel 4 Days walking Departs every two days during the season All breakfasts and 2 evening meals included Managed locally by Headwater employed representative Route notes and maps provided Luggage transfers between hotels
Countries visited: Germany
Trip Highlights Scenic walks following the Altmuhl and Danube rivers Fascinating flora and fauna: eagles, hawks, deer, wild boar, flowers Stunning fairytale castles peeping from green woodland Beautiful spa town of Bad Abbach, with its sulphurous springs Start and finish in UNESCO World Heritage Regensburg
Is This Trip for You?
Classification: Self-Guided Activity Level: 2 (Leisurely/Moderate) Average daily distance on move on days: 20km (13 miles). No. of days walking: 4 Terrain and route: The suggested walking follows a mix of tarmac, stone and woodland well-marked paths. Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can walk at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. A representative will be there to meet you and will be on call throughout the trip should you need.
It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.
Families Self-guided walking holidays are a perfect option for families as they offer the freedom for you to take your holiday at your own pace. You can stop as and when you want and need, at the cafes and restaurants that suit your family and the sites that interest you.
Group
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of the week to go through the route notes and point out particular places of interest. Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. Please note: the walking and luggage transfers included in this tour are subject to a minimum of 2 people (in total) booked on the departure. A supplement (payable in advance) to cover these transfers and sole occupancy of a room will apply if only 1 person travelling on a departure date.
Adult min age: 18 Child min age: 12 Child max age: 17
Itinerary Land Only
Start City: Regensburg End City: Regensburg
Land Only Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Regensburg Arrive in medieval UNESCO World Heritage Regensburg and maybe head to a local beer garden for dinner. (Staying at Hotel Jakob, Breakfast only)
Day 2 Regensburg (Deising) to Riedenburg After a short transfer, enjoy a gorgeous view from the Rosskopf peak to the castle of Eggersberg and the Altmuhl valley. The route then leads along juniper heathland down to Altmuhlmunster. The trail to Obereggersberg features flowery forest edges and bizarre rock formations. You'll pass Schloss Eggersberg with its museum of the local jurisdiction district (Hofmarksmuseum) and walk down into the valley, where the route leads to Gundelfingen along the natural backwaters of the Altmuhl. A climb rewards with fantastic views of Riedenburg and the Altmuhl river bend with the castle of Eggersberg. You then descend to reach Riedenburg, the pearl of the Altmuhl valley. (Staying at Hotel Zur Post, Half Board)
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance covered: 18 km / 12 miles Activity (hours): 5 Day 3 At Riedenburg Reidenburg is a beautiful quaint village where you can stroll and enjoy its cafes or have lunch on the river promenade. Following one of its many walking paths, visit the 12th century Rosenburg Castle with its glorious views of the town and river. The castle houses and falconry and hunting museum and displays are held in in its Romanesque courtyard. (Staying at Hotel Zur Post, Half Board)
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 Riedenburg to Kelheim Today's route leads over the slopes at the side of the Altmuhl to the enchanting rocky compound of the Klamm nature reserve (gorge). On its highest point you have a most impressive view of the castle of Prunn on the opposite side. Crossing the bridge across the Altmuhl near Einthal you'll reach the other side of the river, where the trail leads up to the castle of Prunn and an inn of the same name. You are rewarded for the strenuous ascent with a spectacular view of the Altmuhl valley. Continuing, with a view of the massive Jura walls above Essing, you cross the Altmuhl for a last time on one of the longest wooden bridges in Europe, the so-called Tatzlwurm (winged dragon). Soon, you reach the ascent to the Keltenwall (Celts' rampart) which leads over the hill down into the valley of the Danube. (Staying at Hotel Dormero, Breakfast only)
Meals included: Breakfast
Distance covered: 22 km / 14 miles Activity (hours): 7
Day 5 At Kelheim Kelheim sits in the confluence of the Danube and Altmuhl rivers. You can wander around the pleasant town or take a boat trip along the Danube to the C7 Benedictine abbey Kloster Weltenburg. Complete with its own brewery and brewery museum, from here you can walk back on a lovely route passing the Weltenburger Enge, or take the boat back. Alternatively, take a trip up to the Hall of Liberation (Befreiungshalle) of King Ludwig I or to the Archeological Museum. (Staying at Hotel Dormero, Breakfast only)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6 Kelheim to Bad Abbach The Jurasteig trail leads up to the Goldberg. Shortly before you reach Kapfelberg, there is a gorgeous view over the Danube valley with the Devil's Rock (Teufelsfelsen) near Bad Abbach, before the Jurasteig crosses the Danube near Poikam to the river's other side. The route follows a scenic pathway through an idyllic sloping forest directly into the spa park, where in former times Emperor Charles V bathed in the salubrious waters of Bad Abbach. (Staying at Parkresidenz Bad Abbach, Breakfast only)
Meals included: Breakfast
Distance covered: 22 km / 14 miles Activity (hours): 6 Day 7 At Bad Abbach Maybe take a spa to refresh the muscles from the previous days or relax in the lovely park. There are a series of well-marked circular trails you can follow, including an easy path along the Danube. You can also take the local bus to Regensburg to spend the day there. (Staying at Parkresidenz Bad Abbach, Breakfast only)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8 Bad Abbach to Regensburg (Eilsbrunn) Today you follow the idyllic Danube shores to the pedestrian bridge north of Bad Abbach, after which the Jurasteig follows the route through the nature preserve of the slopes above Oberndorf. The route ascends through the settlement of Kalkofenring, following a changing woody landscape with beautiful views of the Danube valley. In Matting, a cable ferry boat takes you to the other side of the Danube. With its steep rocky walls, the nature preserve of the slopes of Mattinger Hange offers impressive scenery and the opportunity to watch the peregrine falcon hunt. On top of the slope, a pathway leads to a marvellous viewpoint that offers a last outlook over the Danube valley. Passing the Zuylen chapel, you will reach Alling in the valley of the Schwarze Laber. Scenic beech forests nature trails lead to Eilsbrunn, and after having a beer in the world's oldest inn (closed Tuesdays) you take a bus back to Regensburg for your last night. (Staying at Hotel Jakob, Breakfast only)
Meals included: Breakfast
Distance covered: 17 km / 11 miles Activity (hours): 5
Day 9 Leave Regensburg Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation Hotels You'll stay in a mix of hotels: a modernised town house in Regensburg, a traditional guest house in Reidenburg, a lovely 4 star boutique hotel in the centre of Kelheim and a small aparthotel ran by the extremely welcoming Simone in Bad Abbach.
Where a single supplement is available, paying for a single only guarantees a room for single use. It does not always mean a twin or double room will be provided for sole occupancy.
Single supplement from $396.80 USD
Food & Transport
Eating & Drinking
All breakfasts and 2 evening meals included.
What is your first thought when you think of German food, Bier und Bratwurst or Beer and sausages, and if this is what you want then you will not be disappointed. However there is much more to Bavarian cuisine. Meat and freshwater fish are heavily used but vegetarians are also well catered for. Germans tend to follow similar eating patterns to the UK, with breakfast, followed by a small lunch, and large evening meal, dinners tends to be taken fairly early and restaurants will start serving from 6pm. Throughout the towns there are a good choice of differing places to eat, the most traditional of these are the beer halls, these are not just places to drink the local brew, they are also offer traditional cuisine, they can be nice for lunch as they offer small plates of tasty morcels, you will also find the local bratwurst in served them. The most social of places are the beer gardens, these offer really good food in an outdoor setting many have indoor eating areas as well, don't let the name put you off they also normally have a fairly good wine list too. Then there are the restaurants you will find in most towns a good choice of both German and International cuisine.
Transportation
Weather & Seasonality Joining Instructions
The tour itself normally begins at the start hotel in Regensburg on the afternoon of Day 1 in the itinerary.
The tour only prices for this holiday include our standard transfers. If you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to our standard transfers), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge). Fly to Munich then rail Munich HBF to Regensburg 14:44/16:11 and transfer to hotel 5 minutes. Return: Transfer to station 5 minutes then rail Regensburg to Munich HBF 11:46/13:17.
Rail tickets are not included in tour price (inquire for details and prices).
Full joining instructions including route notes, hotel list, map and local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. Transfers Details Standard transfers Transfers included from Regensburg train station at 16:11 and back to Regensburg train station at 11:30.
Alternative transfers If you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge).
Location start: Regensburg Location end: Regensburg
What to Take Essential Equipment
Walking boots Water bottle Daypack Sun hat, sun cream and sunglasses Warm jumper Waterproofs
Optional Equipment
Walking poles A small umbrella in case of unexpected showers
Reading List
Lonely Planet Guide to Munich, Bavaria and the Black Forest DK Eyewitness Travel Guide - Munich and the Bavarian Alps Berlitz - Munich and Bavaria Pocket Guide
Practical Information Passport Germany
Most nationalities, including British, require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for USA passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects.
Visa Germany
No visa required for USA passport holders.
Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.
Vaccination Germany There are no specific health risks.
Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad.
The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Please note: vaccinations that are routinely recommended to residents of North America or Australasia are not considered to form part of the travel health advice, and you should ensure these are kept up to date where necessary.
For additional information please visit: Centers for Disease Control C.D.C at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Insurance - are you adequately covered?
It is a condition of joining any of our holidays that you must be fully insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs and air ambulance or helicopter rescue services where appropriate). On arrival in destination for your trip, you will be asked to present details to your leader or local representative of your policy.
If you are resident in the USA we strongly recommend the Travelex Travel Select travel insurance policy, this is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. If arranging your own policy please ensure that you are covered for all activities that are part of the trip, optional activities that you intend to take part in and/or on high altitude itineraries, that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip.
Local Time
Germany's Timezone: Europe/Berlin CEST (GMT +02:00)
Electricity
Germany's Electricity: European plug - 2 round pins. 230 Volts AC.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
You will need spending money for meals not included in the itinerary and all drinks. We suggest €25 per day to cover a few drinks if not then €10 per day. On the days where lunch or dinner is not included expect to spend €10-€15 for lunch and €15-€35 for dinner.
Weather & Seasonality Weather Information Average temperatures in summer are in the region of 25'C-30'C. The warmest month is usually July whilst the coldest is mainly January. Every month has its share of precipitation on an average of 14 days per month. Weather Charts Money Germany's Currency The national currency of Germany is the Euro (EUR), with an exchange rate at the time of publication (September 2018) of approximately 0.86 to the USD, 0.66 to the CAD, 0.61 to the AUD and 0.56 to the NZD. ATM Availability ATMs are widely available, but we recommend taking some Euros cash with you in case you can't get to a bank at the start of the trip. Cards are widely accepted.
Responsible Tourism At Breakaway we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.
Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage.
Important Information
On all guided trips
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely partake in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
Although rarely enforced, by booking this trip you agree to section 14 of our Booking Conditions which clearly states that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these circumstances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
On all trips In booking this trip you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability you should call the Breakaway office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
In an emergency, please contact our 24 hour out of hours service on +44 (0) 844 326 7041.
Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
TRAVEL AWARE –STAY SAFE & HEALTHY ABROAD
The U.S. State Department has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://www.state.gov/travelers/
Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting Centers for Disease Control C.D.C at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Advice can change so check regularly for updates.
For all latest travel information about your holiday, please visit our Travel Safety Advice page.
How to Book Ready to book? Please contact Breakaway Adventures on Tel: 1-800-567-6286; International Tel: +1-843-856-9771. https://www.breakaway-adventures.com
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