Is prior paddling experience required?

No prior expert experience is required; a paddling briefing is provided, but participants should be comfortable in a canoe or kayak for multi-hour days.

Are children allowed on this trip?

Yes — minimum age listed is 3 with a suitable life jacket provided, though the operator recommends trips for children age five and up for better endurance.

What nights are included?

Boat rental and equipment are included; the INSEL CAMP first night is bookable as an extra; all other nights must be booked independently.

Is transport back to Treuchtlingen included?

Boat retrieval is included at trip end, but personal return transfer is not included — confirm shuttle or pickup options in advance.

How are hazards like weirs handled?

The provider supplies a river map and a paddling briefing with details on weirs and safe portages; follow those instructions and staff guidance on the day.

What if weather is bad?

Trips may be modified for safety; check pre-trip communications for cancellations or route changes and bring appropriate layers for rain and cold.

3-Day Altmühltal Paddle: Treuchtlingen to Eichstätt through Solnhofen Limestone

Adventure Brief

Float three days between Treuchtlingen and Eichstätt, paddling past Solnhofen limestone pinnacles, village beer gardens, and fossil-rich cliffs. This guided equipment package simplifies logistics and makes a compact Bavarian river expedition family-friendly.

3 Tage (Paddelzeit: ca. 5 + 3,5 + 4 Stunden)

moderate

From €120.80

On a three-day float through the Altmühltal, you trade traffic for limestone cliffs and quiet bends. The 3-Tagestour runs from Treuchtlingen to Eichstätt in southern Bavaria, following the slow, stony curve of the Altmühl River through the Solnhofen region. Meeting point: Parkplatz Volksfestplatz, Jahnstraße 14, 91757 Treuchtlingen (direkt am Einstieg gegenüber „Lidl“). Day one sends paddlers past Pappenheim — its castle perches above a compact old town — and on to Zimmern for a beer garden break before reaching the Aktiv Mühle at Solnhofen. The island camp there (INSEL CAMP) and evening meal at Mühlenwirt set a low-key riverside rhythm. On day two the river threads the celebrated "12 Apostel" limestone pinnacles, carved from Solnhofen plattenkalk and prime fossil-bearing stone, and paddlers navigate the historic boat chutes at Hammermühle and Hagenacker toward Dollnstein or Breitenfurt. The final morning opens into the broad Ur-Donau-Tal, skirting Burgsteinfelsen and ending in Eichstätt — a bishop's town with a castle and a fossil museum worth a post-paddle stroll. This offering is a guided equipment package: canoe or kayak rental with paddle, life jackets, a waterproof container per boat, a paddling briefing, and boat retrieval at trip end. It’s designed as an intermediate multi-day float — suggested for children from age three with appropriate vests, though recommended for families with kids age five and up — that balances gentle current, a few manual portages, and short guided segments. Expect paddling days of roughly 5, 3.5 and 4 hours; the itinerary blends on-water miles with cultural stops in villages, historic ruins, and quiet campsites. What makes this trip special in the Altmühltal is the geology and human scale: low, dramatic Solnhofen limestone faces host fossil beds and rare heathland flora; the river’s wooden chutes and small locks are reminders of centuries of local rivercraft; villages remain small and welcoming. For active travelers who want shoreline geology, accessible wildlife such as kingfisher and grey heron, and compact Bavarian towns between easy paddling days, this route is a perfect short expedition. Logistics: bookable extras include the INSEL CAMP first night; other nights are self-booked — check the detailed river map for weir locations and note that one-night bookings at campsites or local guesthouses must be made independently. Safety essentials are included — life jackets and a paddling briefing — but carry shirts for sun, a dry layer for cool mornings, and a basic first-aid kit for blisters and scrapes. The meeting-point address appears on trip materials and in pre-trip email: Parkplatz Volksfestplatz, Jahnstraße 14, 91757 Treuchtlingen (direkt am Einstieg gegenüber „Lidl“). The trip operator name is not specified in the provided details, so confirm pickup windows and any shuttle options before arrival. Arrive ready to paddle and explore.

About AKTIV MÜHLE

AKTIV MÜHLE is an outdoor adventure and canoe outfitter based in Solnhofen, Bayern. The company specializes in guided and self-guided canoe trips on the Altmühl River, island camping on Altmühlinsel, and adventure programs for families, school groups, and corporate teams. AKTIV MÜHLE runs day tours, multi-day island-camp stays, raft-building teamevents for school classes, and guided NaTour routes that pass the distinctive "Twelve Apostles" rock formations.

On-site services include canoe and equipment access from multiple launch points, supervised boat chutes, organized transfers between paddling sections, and a family-friendly island campsite with fire pits and a covered grill. The business offers specific programs for school trips—multi-day packages with raft building, wild-water kayaking components, and high ropes activities—designed for groups from grade 7 and above, and a separate three-day canoe-and-camp option for grade 8.

AKTIV MÜHLE's program list also includes half-day and full-day paddles such as Pappenheim to Solnhofen, Solnhofen to Dollnstein, and guided 13 km NaTour excursions. Additional services include a Bavarian breakfast option served before canoe trips.

Safety and local knowledge are central: experienced guides lead NaTour and group events, while family activities emphasize shallow, scenic stretches of the Altmühl suitable for swimmers and young children. Located in a protected natural area near Solnhofen, AKTIV MÜHLE combines paddling, camping, and outdoor education to create hands-on, trustworthy river experiences for visitors to Bayern.

Booking and inquiries are handled through the business's reservation channels, with clear information about equipment, transfers, and age recommendations to help with planning. Advance booking is recommended during summer.