Via Nova pilgrimage route: Weltenburg - Kelheim section

The stage from Weltenburg Abbey to Kelheim is only 8 km long. But it is a scenic highlight. In addition to the hike, there is also the option of covering this section by boat through the impressive Danube Gorge to Kelheim. Both options - boat trip or hike - have their own unique impressions of the unique Danube Gorge.

But if you don't want to miss out on the hike through the Weltenburger Enge nature reserve, which has been awarded the European Diploma, hike steeply up the mountain through the archway between the beautiful monastery church of the Asam brothers and the information center.

Follow the signs for the Donaupanoramaweg and the Weltenburger Höhenweg (trail no. III of the Weltenburger Enge hiking trail network). The Frauenberg Chapel is on the right and a narrow path on the left leads steeply up the mountain. At the top of the Wolfgangswall, a medieval rampart, you have a wonderful view of the Danube gorge.

Continue along the rampart to the clearing where you can enjoy the last view of Weltenburg and the Danube floodplains. Please follow the path past a few houses and another rampart. After a short stretch on a road, the path turns left onto a gravel path into the forest, which you follow for about 3 km until shortly before the Wieser Kreuz viewpoint.

Here you turn onto a narrow forest path that leads past the viewpoint with a magnificent view of the Danube gorge and the Klösterl hermitage to the Donaupark industrial estate, which we cross and reach the old town of Kelheim via the Danube bridge.

At the stage finish, you can round off this short but strenuous stage with a visit to one of Kelheim's museums, for example. Kelheim's restaurants and cafés invite you to enjoy a variety of outdoor seating and terraces in the old town to fortify yourself for the following stages.