On this hike, you will get to know the Weltenburger Enge nature reserve with its impressive rock formations. The varied route first takes you along the Danube and then up into the forest. You can reach the Weltenburg monastery on the other side of the Danube by boat or cable ferry. A special experience for many. There are two ways to get back to Kelheim. On the one hand, a beautiful forest path on the southern side of the Danube leads back to the Wittelsbach town, or you can glide back on board one of the excursion boats on the Danube waves.
The route starts at the information platform at the landing stage. If your vehicle is parked at the Volksfestplatz, it is only 500 m from there to the start. The trail initially runs along the embankment and after a few minutes runs directly along the Danube, where the embankment crosses the old Ludwig-Danube-Main Canal. The so-called forest route leads via the Befreiungshalle through the forest to Weltenburg Abbey. (See below for a description of the alternative route).
After around 20 minutes, you will reach the Klösterl hermitage, which is now home to a cozy beer garden in the summer months (for seasonal opening times, call 0151 56023366). Worth seeing is the rock chapel, which only has three brick walls, the fourth wall and the roof are formed directly by the rock. The trail continues past a rock formation called a beehive because of its appearance. After a meadow orchard, the path leads up into the forest on the right. After the ascent, you come to a crossroads where you branch off to the left in the direction of Weltenburg. Shortly before descending back down to the Danube, you should make a detour to the left to a viewpoint. This offers a fascinating view of Weltenburg Abbey and the Danube. After the view, you return to the main path and, after a short section on the Celtic rampart, finally descend along a winding root path to the Danube. You need to be a little sure-footed here. If the weather is fine, there are now barges ready to take you to the monastery. Alternatively, the cable ferry at Stausacker shuttles back and forth between the banks from the end of March to the end of October, whatever the weather. You only have to travel 800 m further upstream along the Danube. The operating times are from 8 to 11 am and from 12 to 5 pm. Now is the time for a long rest in the beer garden in Weltenburg. Here you can enjoy the baroque darkness of the oldest monastery brewery in the world. Before continuing, you should definitely visit the baroque monastery church, which was built by the Asam brothers. The small but excellent visitor center with information about the monastery and the Weltenburger Enge nature reserve is also worth a visit. Before continuing, you now have to decide whether you want to return to Kelheim on foot or by boat. If you decide to take the boat, it is only 400 m to the landing stage. If you want to wander through the woods for a while, follow the path that leads up the hill from the monastery courtyard. There you will first see a Way of the Cross on the so-called Frauenberg. Continue left onto a meadow path, which leads into the forest after a short stretch. Here you can once again enjoy the view of the Danube gorge. Continue to the right for a short distance along the Wolfgangwall through the forest to a large clearing, where there is a wonderful view of the Danube floodplains in front of Weltenburg. After about three more kilometers through beautiful mixed forests, you come to the Wieser Kreuz viewing rock, where you have a beautiful view of the Klösterl hermitage. After approx. 1 km, you reach the Donaupark industrial estate and cross the Danube at the traffic circle to finally return to the starting point.
Alternative route for the Kelheim - Weltenburg section:
Where the Danube embankment crosses the old Ludwig-Danube-Main Canal, the predecessor of today's Main-Danube Canal, the path branches off to the right and leads through the so-called Fischerdörfl past the Franciscan church, which now houses an organ museum. After a few houses, the ascent to the Befreiungshalle begins on the left. The somewhat strenuous path winds its way up the slope. At the top, you can enjoy the sweeping view over Kelheim. A visit to the Befreiungshalle is highly recommended. At the parking lot, take the left-hand path to continue the route. From now on, follow the main path until you reach a large crossroads. There, choose the path that runs as an extension of the direction you just came from. After about 1 km, the route leads down to the Danube. You can reach the Weltenburg Monastery on the other bank either by boat or by taking the cable ferry in Stausacker. To reach the cable ferry, follow the Danube another 800 m upstream.
