Nuremberg – with a history of a 1000 years: The old free city with its grande emperor castle, famous churches and museums attracts lots of tourists year after year. In the old part you will find pretty town houses, proud churches, the castle and the old town’s wall, which is a ring of 5 kilometres around the inner part of the city.

You leave the historical Nuremberg and roll along the Ludwig-Danube-Main Canal, a listed building, through beautiful nature to Neumarkt in the Upper Palatinate. A special landmark of the city is the castle ruin Wolfstein, which is enthroned on a mountain ridge. The old town with its striking church towers is always worth a visit.

Today, they alternately drive along "oxbow lakes" of the Altmühl, which captivate above all by their originality. Via Beilngries and Dietfurt you reach the three-castle town of Riedenburg, which lies at the foot of the ruins of Tachenstein, Rabenstein and Rosenburg.

The final kilometers on the Altmühl Cycle Path will take you to Kelheim. In Kelheim, you can visit the Liberation Hall or take a boat trip on the Danube to Weltenburg Abbey, known for its famous beer garden, before cycling to Regensburg and exploring its charming old town.

Leaving Regensburg behind you, you will find yourself cycling through meadows, forests and fields along the river Naab. On both sides of the river impressive rocks aim for the sky, some as high as 100 metres. At the ruin of the castle Kallmünz you will change rivers once again: The river Vils now guides you to Amberg. If you are a culture nerd, you must stop and have a look at the “Hammerherrenschloss” castle in Theuern, before you tackle the last kilometres to Amberg.

After a flat section today’s stage has some uphill climbing in the game for you. You reach the 1000 year old town Sulzbach-Rosenberg, which was built on impressive rocks far above. After a short break in this town you cycle on through one of the regions with the most forests in Germany, the “Hersbrucker Schweiz”. The town of Hersburg was a centre for hop-growing and -trade for over centuries. Look up at the roofs: Some of the old wooden carvings still remind you of the hop-growing tradition.

The famous “watergate” shows you the way out of the town Hersburg and you cycle along the river Pegnitz through its beautiful valley. Castle Henfendfeld will watch over you from the top of a hill along the way. The town of Lauf at the river Pegnitz, the “gate to Franconia” is also worth a visit. Through glorious avenues, lined with many green trees, you cycle into Nuremberg.

Your tour begins in Regensburg, the northernmost city on the Danube. Considered one of Germany’s best-preserved historic cities, its beautifully restored old town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take time to stroll through the charming streets, explore the city’s lovely parks and gardens, or visit one of its many museums before setting off on your cycling adventur

Today you have a short stage ahead of you, leaving plenty of time to explore historic Regensburg. After taking in the sights of this UNESCO World Heritage city, you set off along the Naab River, surrounded by meadows, forests, and open fields. Towering Jurassic limestone cliffs, rising up to 100 metres above the valley floor, accompany your ride on both sides of the river. Near the ruins of Kallmünz Castle, another river change awaits: here, the Vils flows into the Naab, creating one of the most picturesque landscapes of the region.

If you decide to climb up to the castle ruins of Kallmünz, you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views over the Naab Valley. Afterwards, you leave the Naab behind and continue along the Vils. Following a former railway line, the Five Rivers Cycle Path leads you through the scenic Vils Valley on gentle gradients. Your destination is the historic town of Amberg, whose most famous landmark is the Amberg “Stadtbrille” – a unique water gate with two towers spanning the Vils River.

After an initially flat stretch, today’s route becomes a bit hillier. You’ll pass through “Hersbrucker Schweiz,” one of Germany’s most forested regions. For centuries, the town of Hersbruck was a major center for hop cultivation and trade. The characteristic elevator dormers on the lovingly restored half-timbered houses still bear witness to this today. You’ll leave the town through the famous Wassertor and follow the Pegnitz Valley with its nearly untouched river landscape. In Lauf an der Pegnitz, you’ll have the option to take the S-Bahn (not included) to conserve energy and gain more time to explore Nuremberg.

From Nuremberg, you’ll cycle southeast, following the Pegnitz River and the Ludwig-Danube-Main Canal. Here, on the edge of the Franconian Alb, the ride progresses quickly without any hills. Alternatively, you can shorten the route by taking the S-Bahn (not included) to Burgthann, giving you more time. Even from a distance, the striking church towers of the old town and the Wolfstein Castle ruins, perched high above the town, welcome you. Passing through Freystadt, you’ll reach the Main-Danube Canal, which will guide your way from here. For long stretches, you’ll cycle directly along the canal bank downstream before reaching your stage destination, Berching.

Today you’ll take turns cycling along the oxbow lakes of the Altmühl, which captivate visitors with their unspoiled beauty. Passing through Dietfurt and Riedenburg, you’ll reach Essing, home to one of the most popular photo spots in the entire Altmühl Valley: the two-story bridge tower with its 46-meter-long wooden bridge. From Kelheim, you can take a very worthwhile boat trip (not included) through the Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey. Be sure to plan a visit to the beer garden here!

Before setting off for Regensburg, it is well worth making the climb to the impressive Hall of Liberation. From its hilltop location, you can enjoy magnificent panoramic views over the Danube and Altmühl landscapes. Afterwards, continue at a leisurely pace towards Regensburg, where you reach the northernmost point of the Danube. With its beautifully preserved medieval centre, historic architecture, and vibrant atmosphere, the city is considered one of Germany’s finest historic destinations and has rightfully earned UNESCO World Heritage status.