Cycle the Altmühl Valley from Rothenburg to the Danube

Level 2 / 5

40 to 65km per cycling day, 290 to 320km in total. No particular technical difficulty. 98% of the route is on cycle paths. There is the possibility, each day, to shorten the stage by taking either the train or a boat, to make it an easier route. The first cycling stage is slightly hilly, then the others are flat. Due to the more demanding stages, we recommend this trip only for children over 12 years old, with good endurance.

You only carry a small bag with your picnic and belongings for the day. You will find your luggage at the hotel in the evening: your luggage is transported by the hotel owner or by taxi within the limit of bags per person (1 is recommended). Maximum 20kg per bag. We advise you to take spare clothes in your saddlebags, as it may sometimes happen, in rare and unforeseen cases, for example: traffic jams, that your luggage is delivered with a delay. Luggage may arrive until 6 pm.

Possibility to register from 2 people; registration of a single person is possible but entails a single room supplement.

8 days, 7 nights, 6 days cycling.

Departure day at your convenience from April to mid-October.

We provide a digital travel pack that includes access to our smartphone navigation app, the list of your accommodations, any vouchers and all the information you need for your stay to run smoothly. A paper pack containing your vouchers, luggage labels and the roadbook with the itinerary maps can be provided for a supplement of 35 €. It will be handed to you at your first hotel. This is a self-guided stay, without a guide, so you evolve in complete autonomy throughout your stay.

For this circuit, you have a choice between Category A: hotels and Gasthof 3*/4* (or equivalent) or Category B, hotels and Gasthof 2*/3* in 2. room. Breakfast included.

Our German neighbours generally do not know ‘double beds’ (a single large mattress) and rarely rooms with 2 twin beds. Generally, there is a single bed frame and two 90cm mattresses side by side; each has their own individual duvet.
If you wish a twin room, communicate this at registration. Not all hotels offer them but we will do our best depending on availability.
Rooms for 3 or 4: these are generally an added bed of sofa bed type; however, the rooms are generally large.

Hotel classification

Some hotels or Gasthof have no classification or refuse any classification, even establishments that were still classified a few years ago. These establishments do not lose any quality for that, far from it. If we indicate, for example, a comfort level “3* or equivalent”: this means that the establishment is not necessarily classified, but has comfort corresponding to that of a 3* hotel.

Breakfast included. Dinners and lunches are not included.
Along the way, you will easily find catering options.
Attention! Our German neighbours often dine early. Remember to respect service hours.

Note: Accommodation photos are non-contractual. Accommodations may change. Depending on availability, we may book alternative hotels of equivalent comfort and standard.

Day 1 in the afternoon in Rothenburg.

Day 8 after breakfast in Regensburg.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber railway station.
Plan your rail journey to Rothenburg ob der Tauber using Deutsche Bahn. Check connections and travel times for your departure city and date.

Free parking available behind Rothenburg railway station. No advance reservation possible (parking quite busy on weekdays).
Parking options available at the hotels we book, to be paid on site; details will be communicated to you in your travel file.

Nuremberg, Frankfurt and Munich airports can be used with onward rail travel to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Check flights and rail connections for your chosen departure city and date.

A return transfer from Regensburg to Rothenburg can be requested when booking, with or without personal bikes. Confirm the available departure time with our team.

You can also return by train. Check current connections and journey times with Deutsche Bahn.

Bike Rental

These are high-quality, comfortable German bikes, equipped with Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres that will ensure a trouble-free bike tour in principle.

Bikes are equipped with a luggage rack, a saddlebag, a waterproof handlebar bag with map holder, a speedometer, a lock, a pump and a repair kit.

Unisex hybrid bike: standard bike with crossbar, for people from 1,45m to 1,90m

• 8 speeds, wide saddle, with back-pedal braking + 2 classic handbrakes. Please notify us if you would like this model.

• 10 speeds, wide saddle, without back-pedal braking with freewheel, hydraulic brakes.

Men’s bikes: bike with horizontal bar
From 1,75m

• 8 speeds with back-pedal braking + 2 classic handbrakes. Please notify us if you would like this model.
• 27 speeds without back-pedal braking, with freewheel: this is the model we reserve for you from the start, as people are not accustomed to back-pedal braking.

Sportive hybrid bike: bike with a more sporty riding position for people from 1m60 to 1m95

• 30 speeds, hydraulic disc brakes, suspended seat post

E-bike: electric (assisted) bike: ideal if you don’t quite have confidence in yourself, or if your small group has different fitness levels.
8 speeds, with back-pedal braking
E-bike rental not possible for those under 16 years old

• Unisex for people from 1,45m

Children’s / teen bikes: (on request) up to 1,55m

20, 24 or 26 inches

Many of our trips offer opportunities for swimming, during stops or at the end of the day. It would be a shame not to take advantage of this. However, we emphasize that your guides are not lifeguards; swimming is therefore undertaken at your own responsibility and at your own risk.

Member of Action for Responsible Tourism (ATR)

Since 2012, Grand Angle has been a member of ATR, the reference association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips – on foot, by bike, on snow – to invite everyone to discover the world differently: with curiosity, respect and kindness.

Present on the board of directors since 2018, we actively contribute to evolving industry practices towards greater purpose. Specifically, we ensure:

• Transparency in our practices and pricing
• Respect for our partners and local populations
• Environmental preservation on each of our trips

We also share the values of the traveller’s ethical charter, which encourages everyone to adopt simple gestures to protect the places visited and foster wonderful encounters.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle is recognized as a Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies our responsible practices in terms of environment, ethics and sustainable management, both within our company and with our partners and in the organization of our trips.

This label, the second level of a demanding international certification, attests to our concrete actions in favour of responsible tourism. We actively pursue our progress towards the higher level, Travelife Certified, in accordance with our sustainable development policy

For cycling

• Cycling shorts, short or long depending on the season
• Cycling gloves
• A helmet
• Sunglasses (against sun, wind, and midges)
• A windbreaker
• T-shirts or cycling jerseys
• A map case or smartphone mount for your handlebars + external battery
• A water bottle

Note: Synthetic technical clothing is very effective. New merino wool garments have also appeared; they are very effective and pleasant to wear, and have the advantage of not developing perspiration odours (Icebreaker, Ruka brands, etc…)! In general, avoid cotton, which becomes cold when wet.

Against sun and rain

• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Hat, cap or sun hat (helmet)
• A windbreaker
• A rain cape or a “Goretex”

• A sweater or fleece jacket
• Comfortable trousers for walking
• Shorts
• A tracksuit or spare clothing
• A lightweight long-sleeved cotton shirt
• A pair of jogging-style trainers for the evening
• Spare clothing and personal items
• Toiletries
• A swimsuit
• A mini first-aid kit: personal medications, plasters, bio-gauze or “2nd skin”, gauze, disinfectant, arnica granules and aspirin for minor bumps and bruises…

• If you do not have a pannier on your bicycle, take a comfortable 40-litre backpack with a hip belt to carry your personal items and picnic during the day. If you have a luggage rack, you can attach your bag to it using bungee cords. Rental bikes are provided with a pannier where you can put your belongings. Still, equip yourself with a small backpack; this allows you to easily carry your things when you go sightseeing along the way.
• Check-in baggage: a backpack, a suitcase, or a travel bag in good condition

Travellers, including minors, must have a national identity card or passport (EU residents).

Check the travel documents and health cover that apply to your nationality and country of residence before departure.

For destination information, consult the German National Tourist Board.

Telephone code to call Germany: 0049

Germany is one hour ahead of Ireland throughout the year.

The euro