Mühlenweg (Mill Trail) – Altmühltal Nature Park

Tour template: https://www.kipfenberg.de/wege/muehlenweg-8/ Probably the most beautiful tour I've done this year. Great highlights and lots of beautiful paths 😍

You shouldn't be fooled by the title "Mühlenweg" (I think we saw 4 ...). It is not - as one might suspect - comfortable in the valley, along the stream and mills (see altitude profile 😅) Rather, it's about the Rauchberger-, Husaren-, u. the Plazottasteig (pure hiking trails), from where we can already see the next destination - Kipfenberg Castle. Finally, a final ascent to the Arnsberger Leite with a wonderful view of the valley. On the way there are also the 30 meter deep Arndthöhle, the geographical center of Bavaria, or the "Green Pot" - a Jura spring ... What a loop !! 👍👍 We took the detour to the platform on the Michelsberg with us ... 😏😅

Done, my feet are burning after a good 27 kilometers and I can now say that I have hiked to the geographical center of Bavaria. 😃 But that was just one highlight of today's tour. The photos speak for the rest...

Unfortunately, towards the end we had to walk unpleasantly along the road because the hiking trail was closed due to wind damage.

Today we went on loop 16 of the Altmühltal Panorama Trail. Imposing towering castles, wonderful single trails through the wooded and rocky slopes of the Altmühltal and its side valleys, as well as fantastic views over the Altmühl characterize this tour. The sight of the castle above Arnsberg, the starting point of the tour, made it clear that an impressive hike was ahead of us today. And also quite a bit of elevation gain.. 😄 (even if Arnsberg Castle itself was not on the route) Following the Altmühl for a while, we soon head into the Schambachtal, past a few mills and then uphill, where the Rauchenbergsteig awaits. On narrow paths, partly rocky, partly secured with steel cables, we go through the beautiful forest to Schambach. After crossing the town, we head onto the next trail, the Glocklersteig. We continue towards Attenzell and around the town until we reach the Arndthöhle. It is easy to walk up a staircase and invites you to explore briefly before continuing on to Kipfenberg. Here it is the Husarensteig that brings us closer to the center of Bavaria, located just behind Kipfenberg Castle. Shortly before Kipfenberg I was not paying attention and followed the signposted shortcut back towards Arnsberg. After I noticed the mistake, I took the path over the Michelsberg back to the actual route. This detour was again very worthwhile. The remains of old fortifications are hidden here in the forest, as are the foundations of a church. Not to mention the phenomenal views over Kipfenberg and the Altmühl Valley. It goes steeply downhill again to Kipfenberg and directly uphill again to the castle, which is privately owned. A detour to the geographical center of Bavaria is of course a must. Afterwards we continue to Grösdorf and thus to the other side of the valley, where we come across a Limes tower and follow a section of the former border line before heading back to Arnsberg via Böhming. Shortly before you reach the town, you can enjoy another wonderful view from the Arnsberger Leite over the valley and the town including its castle complex. A fantastic and highly recommended hike through the most beautiful landscape.

The popular 200 km long Altmühl Panoramaweg leads along the Altmühl. From this long-distance hiking trail planned as circular tours, there are the so-called loop trails. Read a bit here, I liked the loop 16 in terms of length and technology very much, so I was lazy in planning this time and pulled the GPS data into Komoot, added the Michelsberg and off we went... The Round was convincing - offers some highlights, technically and scenically very varied. Up and down distributed evenly. Ascents were rewarded with wide views, especially now that spring is beautiful with its colors. There are plenty of places to rest along the route, whether self-catering or refreshments.

In glorious sunshine but still quite cool temperatures, today we went on a long tour through the albmül valley, around the geographical center of Bavaria. A very varied hike that has something to offer for every taste. A nice highlight was the "BEECH", each letter individually designed, once as a swing, once as a picnic table. A great experience.

Start in Arnsberg (district of Kipfenberg). The parking lot was already full at 9:30 a.m. First a piece along the Altmühl. Then over the Rauchbergsteig through the Schambachtal. Continue to the Arndthöhle (don't forget your flashlight). There was a lot going on here. Otherwise, nice weather on Whit Monday with corresponding excursion traffic. Quite calm on the whole. Continue on the Husarensteig to Kipfenberg. The castle is privately owned and cannot be visited. Via the geographical center of Bavaria back to Kipfenberg and via the Altmühl-Panoramaweg to Arnsberg. At the end in Arnsberg the first wheat beer and a dinner in the local or on the terrace since ???