Weltenburg hiking trail V: Altmühlleiten circular trail

At the start of your hike, follow the forest path towards Weltenburg. After about 300 meters you come to the over 2000-year-old "Inner Celtic Wall", which you can easily identify on your right. The route then leads you further through the Weltenburg mixed forest and you pass Celtic and medieval ore diggings until you reach the pavilion at the large forest crossroads. You now have to cross this crossroads. Then follow the forest road straight on down the valley to the "Outer Celtic Wall". After a rather short but steep climb up the Keltenwall, walk along the top of the Keltenwall towards Essing. Shortly before Essing, there is a steep descent back into the valley, with steps in places, where you can take in the impressive view of the Altmühltal valley. Once in the valley, keep left on the Altmühltal-Panoramaweg or Jurasteig towards Essing. However, you then follow the forest path to the right and walk along the edge of the slope through special natural forest reserves that are free from any form of forestry management. After approx. 1.5 kilometers, you will pass the Wilhelmsfelsen, a memorial stone. After approx. 300 meters, turn left to the Kelheim-Gronsdorf lock. Here it is worth taking a short break at the reconstructed Celtic town gate. At the Celtic gate, cross the road and follow the path along the Main-Danube Canal to the pumping station, where you turn right onto the embankment of the Old Ludwig-Danube-Main Canal and follow the route to the Old Canal Harbour, which is now declared an industrial monument. In the area of the bridge, cross Hienheimer Straße, turn left into Klosterstraße and follow it to the footpath to the Befreiungshalle. Once you have arrived at this charismatic sight, you can of course visit it (tickets are only available at the ticket office next to the café/bistro) or walk back to the starting point of the hiking route.