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.