Altenthann combines the appearance of a baroque parish village with trails through the Vorwald landscape and insights into rural cultural history. At its heart are the Parish Church of St. Nicholas and St. Margaret, the parish house and the “monastery”; together, they shape the character of the village. The church ensemble also serves as a specific landmark for exploring the village centre.
Hiking Trails and the Vorwald Landscape
Seven hiking trails explore the Altenthann Vorwald landscape. They lead to numerous natural monuments and distinctive landscape features; some follow the Regensburg Castle Trail to castle ruins. The routes therefore range from natural monuments and landscape features to historic destinations. In the wider Regensburg destination, the Otterbach rises in the Vorderer Bayerischer Wald, where the Weismühlbach and Steinbach meet. A popular hiking trail runs along the stream between Hammermühle and Forstmühle. The name Otterbach thus appears both in the name of the Altenthann Schönfeld & Otterbach circular trail and on the regional trail along the stream.
The Schönfeld & Otterbach circular hiking trail starts at Altenthann Parish Church. It is 10.8 kilometres long and marked with coloured triangles and rectangles by the Bavarian Forest Association. The church is also one of the sights along the circular trail. If you plan to hike this route, check the current trail conditions locally.
Alpaca Walks and Rural Cultural History
The Obermeier family offers guided alpaca walks, also known as alpaca trekking, from their alpaca farm in Altenthann. Check current arrangements directly with the provider before your visit.
The Altenthann Local History Museum presents rural life before industrialisation and the far-reaching changes brought about by mechanisation, electrification, new transport routes, new communication options and new industrially manufactured products. The same subject area therefore encompasses both earlier rural ways of life and changes to everyday life.
The collection of Hans Hemrich is also associated with the museum. The teacher and local heritage officer, who died in 1987, collected objects relating to farming in Altenthann for more than twenty years.
Walhalla in the Wider Regensburg Destination
In the wider Regensburg destination, Walhalla in Donaustauf is one of Germany’s notable Neoclassical buildings. This memorial and hall of fame stands on the Danube. Since 1842, it has honoured notable Germans and people associated with German history with marble busts and commemorative plaques. Its exterior is defined by a Doric design with 52 columns.
From the bus stop, a walk of about 20 minutes via 358 steps leads to Walhalla. From Regensburg, at the Stone Bridge, passenger boats operated by Klinger and Wurm & Noé travel along the Danube to the foot of Walhalla from Easter through October. Check the operating days of this seasonal boat service in advance.
For guided alpaca walks, arrange the details with the Obermeier family before your visit.
For the wider travel overview: Donaustauf.
