Jurasteig Trail: through seven valleys of the Bavarian Jura

The twelve stages of the Jurasteig Trail take you through seven mostly secluded and romantic valleys with constantly varying scenery, passing castles, palaces and abbeys.

Situated at the heart of Bavaria, this trail crosses the hills and valleys of the Danube, Altmühl, Weisser Laber, Schwarzer Laber, Lauterach, Vils and Naab rivers. There are also 17 circular side trails off the main route that are ideal for day hikes. Each valley offers its own particular delights: while the Altmühl valley is full of dramatic rock formations, the Kuppenalb area has distinctively shaped hills. The landscape of the Lauterach valley is dominated by juniper scrub, and the Naab and Vils valleys provide a walk through dense beech woodland. Nature lovers will be in their element on the Jurasteig Trail as it is great for spotting animals and plants rarely found elsewhere. The Bavarian Jura is still home to peregrine falcons, beavers and kingfishers, and the trail is lined with countless orchids, carthusian pinks and quaking grass. Those looking for culture along the Jurasteig Trail can visit the abbeys at Weltenburg and Pielenhofen, the Franciscan monastery near Dietfurt, Wolfsegg Castle, Rosenburg Castle and the ruins of Hohenburg Castle and Randeck Castle.

Tip

Wolfsegg Castle
Wolfsegg Castle is one of the few castles in the Upper Palatinate to have completely retained its Gothic architecture. Besides its idyllic location, Wolfsegg is worth a visit for the 'white lady' who is supposed to haunt its walls and for the caves under the castle.

At a glance

• Starts and ends: Kelheim
• Length: 230km
• Number of stages: 12
• Altitude variation (approximate values): Ascent 12,600m, descent 12,600m
• Terrain: 37% unmade, 20% asphalt, 43% other, e.g. gravel