Kelheim Heights Trail Altmühltal

A light hike along the Danube, spectacular rocks, and a monastery with centuries-old brewing tradition: This is the Weltenburger Höhenweg (Weltenburg Heights Trail) in the Altmühltal. You hike along the Danube from Kelheim to Kloster Weltenburg (Weltenburg Monastery) and then back on the other side of the river. The fact that you are taken across the Danube by boat halfway through makes this hike especially exciting.

Hiking in the Altmühltal in Bavaria

The Altmühltal is a beautiful nature reserve in the German state of Bavaria. It is located near Regensburg, north of the Danube. With its gentle hills, steep rock faces, and open beech forests, the Altmühltal is a perfect area for hiking. The 200-kilometer long Altmühltal-Panoramaweg is one of the Top Trails in Germany, which already shows how great it is to hike here. But if you want to hike for a day, this is also the right place for you. There are 16 so-called loops, circular hikes that highlight the major attractions of the long-distance hike. One of them is the Weltenburger Höhenweg (Loop 27).

An Overview of the Weltenburger Höhenweg in the Altmühltal

Hiking along the Danube and spectacular rocks

The tour starts at the boat dock in Kelheim. It is nice to take a walk around the town of Kelheim before starting your hike. Narrow streets, colorful houses, and occasionally a cozy café definitely make Kelheim worth a visit. Afterwards, you leave the town on the Altmühltal-Panoramaweg and hike along the Danube. On both sides of the Danube, there are spectacular rock formations. On your right, you will soon find a cave in one of these rocks, which you can enter and even climb up via a staircase. Very cool!

A break at the Danube Gorge

The hiking trail continues along the Danube for about three kilometers and then dives into the forest. However, I can recommend continuing to walk along the Danube until you reach the Danube Gorge. Here, the Danube suddenly becomes very narrow, and there are huge rocks on both sides. At the edge of the trail, there is a small gravel beach that is perfect for a short break. Then you can choose to either walk back to the official trail and head uphill towards Kloster Weltenburg or take a steep hiking path up at the Danube Gorge. After about a kilometer, you will reach the Weltenburger Höhenweg again.

By boat to Kloster Weltenburg

No matter how you go uphill, once you reach the top, you can catch a glimpse of Kloster Weltenburg, which is located behind the Weltenburger Enge on the Danube. Then you start the descent and return to the Danube. A traditional Zille (long, flat boat) takes you across the Danube to the famous Benedictine abbey for €1.50. Kloster Weltenburg is known for the art-historically significant Asam Church and its brewing tradition that has lasted for more than 1000 years. In the cozy beer garden, you can try the monastery beers and replenish your energy for the return journey.

Returning to Kelheim on the other side of the Danube

If you've had enough walking, you can take the boat back to Kelheim. However, the Weltenburger Höhenweg on the other side of the Danube also leads back to Kelheim, and this stretch is worth walking. This route is slightly less spectacular: you mainly hike through forests and meadows. However, at the Wieserkreuz, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Danube valley and the Liberation Hall. Then it goes steeply downhill, and you walk a short distance through an industrial area, with the Maximiliansbrücke bringing you back to Kelheim.