East Bavarian Way of St. James Stage 8: Kelheim - Weltenburg - Altmannstein

You start the approximately 21-kilometre stage of the Bavarian Way of St. James in the old town of Kelheim. Passing the boat landing stage, the path leads you along the Danube in an easterly direction out of the town. After passing the former Franciscan monastery church with its organ museum and, a little later, the Klösterl hermitage with its unique rock church, you leave the Danube valley and hike up into the forests of the Weltenburger Enge.

Follow the signs for Danube Route I and, after a few steep sections, enjoy the spectacular views of the Danube gorge and Weltenburg Abbey. To visit the monastery, you have to cross the river. This is possible either with the rustic Zillen (former fishing boats) or the cable ferry in Weltenburg-Stausacker.

In Weltenburg Monastery, you can visit the baroque Asam Church and treat yourself to regional delicacies in the monastery tavern. To get back on the Way of St. James, you have to cross the Danube again. You then make a pilgrimage to Hadrian's Column near Hienheim and the replica of a Limes watchtower. You are now on the former border of the wet and Rhaetian Limes. From Hienheim, the route continues straight ahead in an easterly direction. Passing the villages of Laimerstadt and Hagenhill, you reach the stage destination of Altmannstein with its beautiful castle ruins after around ten kilometers.