The Franconian Lake District extends beyond its lakeshores. The “Seenländer” trail leads through waterscapes at Lake Altmühl, the Great and Little Brombach Lakes and Lake Roth, as well as through orchards, shady woodland, species-rich nature reserves, flat plains with far-reaching views, hop gardens and gently rolling hills. Hiking here brings you through a wide variety of landscapes on a regional circular route.
Hiking between lakes and rolling hills
The 146-kilometre circular hiking trail “Der Seenländer” connects Lake Altmühl with the Little Brombach Lake, the Great Brombach Lake and Lake Roth. The Franconian Lake District Trail runs for 63 kilometres from Lake Altmühl via Brombach Lake to Lake Roth; apart from a few minor climbs, it is entirely flat. This gives you two routes with distinct profiles to choose from: a longer circuit linking four lakes and a shorter, mostly flat trail. The Spalter Hügellandtour is certified as a Quality Trail by Wanderbares Deutschland.
By the water: get active or take a boat trip
Swimming, sailing and surfing are all possible at Lake AltmĂĽhl. Water sports, beach activities and sightseeing cruises are on offer at Lake AltmĂĽhl and Brombach Lake, and cycling and hiking trails run along the lakeshores. The 870-hectare Great Brombach Lake, between Absberg and Pleinfeld, offers opportunities for surfing, kitesurfing, sailing and diving.
During the summer season, the “MS Altmühlsee” excursion boat connects the leisure centres on the shores of Lake Altmühl. If you are planning a trip, check the timetable. The passenger trimaran “MS Brombachsee” also invites you to take a boat trip. Fishing is also possible at five lakes: a permit is required to fish at Lake Altmühl, the Great and Little Brombach Lakes, Igelsbach Lake and Lake Roth. Check the applicable rules and permit requirements in advance.
Birdlife and protected areas
More than 300 bird species, some of them rare, can be observed at Lake Altmühl. On Bird Island, a nature trail and observation tower bring to life a special protected area for migratory birds. Watching the birds and visiting the observation tower offer different ways to experience the region’s natural environment; neither has to be the main focus of your visit.
Cycling routes with regional and wider perspectives
The cycling network in the Franconian Lake District is over 1,500 kilometres long and connects to the Tauber AltmĂĽhl Cycle Route and the MD Cycle Route along the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg. The Franconian Water Cycle Route is around 460 kilometres long and runs through the Franconian Lake District, Romantic Franconia, AltmĂĽhltal Nature Park and the Bavarian Jura. You can choose between a regional network of cycling routes and a route through four different holiday regions.
The Limes, traditional crafts and hops
The Limes runs through the Franconian Lake District and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with forts, watchtowers and excavated bathhouses. The Museum Historischer Eisenhammer Eckersmühlen offers a different glimpse into the past: visitors can watch the art of blacksmithing and the handling of red-hot iron. The Wernsbach quarries are designated as one of Bavaria’s most beautiful geological sites. Guided tours are available in the Spalt hop-growing area; if you are planning one, check the dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Pfaffenhofen An Der Ilm, Main-Spessart, GĂĽnzburg, Neustadt A.D.Aisch-Bad Windsheim, Bamberg, WĂĽrzburg, Roth, MĂĽhldorf Am Inn
Go to the main travel overview: Bavaria.
