The Altmühltal cycle path with castle overnight stay

Cycling and discovering romantic places along the way

Romantic Franconia is extremely popular with cyclists in particular. The delightful combination of idyllic countryside and urban highlights lends the bike tours their very special charm. If you want to explore the region by bike, you’ll be spoiled for choice with around 1,500 kilometers of bike paths. To relieve you of this decision, a beautiful route follows.

Altmühltal bike path

For 201 kilometers, the bike path follows the Altmühl from its source in Rothenburg ob der Tauber to the Danube. Close to nature and far from road traffic, cyclists on the Altmühlltal Cycle Path ride along sun-drenched juniper heaths, attention-grabbing rock formations and clear lakes that invite you to take a dip. The predominantly flat route winds almost exclusively along the banks of the Altmühl River – past Roman structures, ancient castles, palaces, churches and monasteries. Colmberg Castle in particular invites you to travel back in time and spend a night at the castle.

Landscape and culture

A bicycle tour on the Altmühltal Cycle Path offers a very special perspective on charming landscapes and unspoiled nature that invites you to dream. The region also has a lot to offer culturally. The starting point alone, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, is world-famous for its medieval town center. The Altmühl valley was once settled by the Romans. In the border area between the Roman Empire and Germania, through which the Limes (border wall) also ran, the legionaries gathered in the distant past and left their traces. Baths, forts and watchtowers line the route from Rothenburg o.d. Tauber to Kelheim.

Stay overnight castle – castle romance

The overnight accommodations are also particularly inviting. Who has ever had the opportunity to spend the night in a castle? – in Colmberg you can make this dream come true. Also the infrastructure makes the arrival as well as the departure completely uncomplicated. In summer, special buses with bicycle trailers are used along the route. In addition, it is also possible to take bicycles on normal buses and trains.

5 reasons for an overnight stay in Colmberg Castle during the Altmühltal bike tour

1. the castle offers a bicycle cellar – all guests can store their bikes there.
2. the lord of the castle Christian Unbehauen will give you the best tips for the further route.
3. the castle stands for excellent cuisine with many regional as well as seasonal delicacies.
4. it is an unforgettable experience to spend a night in a castle.
5. the castle Colmberg combines history and modernity.

From Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Kelheim – tour planning

The route from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Kelheim is divided into 6 stages below. If 205 kilometers in 6 days are not enough for you, there is the possibility to extend the tour. For example, you could add 2 stages at the beginning of the tour and start already in Wertheim. From there you cycle to Bad Mergentheim and the next day via Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Colmberg Castle. Alternatively, at the end of the tour you can also cycle from Kelheim to Regensburg, where you can visit the Stone Bridge from the 12th century, the cathedral and the preserved medieval center.

Steps:

1. Rothenburg o.d. Tauber – Colmberg
2. from Colmberg to Herrieden
3. from Herrieden to Treuchtlingen
4. from Treuchtlingen to Eichstätt
5. from Eichstätt to Beilngries
6. from Beilngries to Kelheim

Options to extend the tour:

Possibility 1:
– Wertheim – Bad Mergentheim
– Bad Mergentheim via Rothenburg – Colmberg Castle

Possibility 2:
– Kelheim – Regensburg