The “Weltenburger Enge, Hirschberg and Altmühlleiten” nature reserve is located in Kelheim and includes the unique Danube Gorge. This protected landscape gives the district a distinctive starting point for discovering nature and culture. In 2020, the Weltenburger Enge was designated Germany’s first National Natural Monument. There are eleven hiking trails in the nature reserve—one specific route runs from Essing to the Danube Gorge.
Between the AltmĂĽhltal and Hallertau
With Kelheim, Essing and Riedenburg, the northern part of the district lies in the Altmühltal Nature Park. In the south, Abensberg, Neustadt an der Donau, Biburg, Rohr i. NB and Mainburg are part of the Hallertau, considered the world’s largest contiguous hop-growing region. This means different landscapes meet in the district: in the north, the nature park shapes the regional setting, while the south is associated with the Hallertau and hop cultivation. If you are considering Kelheim as a travel destination, you can include these contrasts in your choice of nature and cultural experiences.
Hiking and Pilgrimage Routes
A 13-kilometre hike runs from Essing via the Tatzlwurm, past the Klausen Caves and along the Celtic Wall to the Danube Gorge. The route includes specific waypoints and a clear destination; the nature reserve also has eleven other hiking trails. A section of the East Bavarian Way of St. James also leads from Kelheim to the Weltenburger Enge. These offer different kinds of routes: a hike with a specified itinerary and a section of a pilgrimage route with Kelheim and the Weltenburger Enge as its endpoints.
The Altmühl is also part of the region’s natural appeal. Its gentle flow makes it an ideal river for families. This description places the emphasis elsewhere than the named hiking and pilgrimage routes: here, the focus is on the river itself and its leisurely current.
Cycling Routes and Archaeological Traces
The Danube Cycle Path runs through Weltenburg and Kelheim. In Kelheim, the Old Town and the Befreiungshalle are along the route; check current route conditions before setting off. Another cycling route to explore is the Altmühltal Archaeology Park: it stretches for 39 kilometres and includes 18 sites between Kelheim, Essing, Riedenburg and Dietfurt. Most of the sites are directly on the Altmühltal Cycle Path. They offer insights from the Neanderthals to the Celts and are free to visit and open to the public. These details provide different points of reference: the Danube Cycle Path runs through Kelheim and Weltenburg, while the Archaeology Park’s sites are spread across several towns.
Memorial and Literary History
The Befreiungshalle in Kelheim is a memorial commissioned by King Ludwig I to commemorate the victorious battles against Napoleon in the Wars of Liberation from 1813 to 1815. Its dedication links the building to the history of these wars. Another historical connection is Burg Prunn, known as the place where an original manuscript of the Nibelungenlied was found. The cultural points of interest thus range from a monument in Kelheim commemorating a clearly specified historical event to a castle associated with an important manuscript.
Choose Accommodation to Suit Your Plans
If you are looking for accommodation in Kelheim, you can start by thinking about which experiences you would like to focus on. For culture in Kelheim, the Old Town and the Befreiungshalle on the Danube Cycle Path are important points of reference. The described 13-kilometre hike to the Danube Gorge starts in Essing; in the south of the district, the Hallertau offers a different landscape to explore.
Discover More Destinations
Elsendorf, Painten, Riedenburg, Bad Abbach, Abensberg, Kelheim, Saal an der Donau, Rohr in Niederbayern, Langquaid, Siegenburg, Neustadt an der Donau, Volkenschwand, Ihrlerstein, Wildenberg, Aiglsbach
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