What is the minimum age to participate?

Participants must be at least 3 years old or wear an appropriate AKTIV MÜHLE life jacket provided by the operator.

Is equipment included?

Yes—boat rental, paddles, Schwimmwesten, one waterproof container per boat, paddling instruction and equipment retrieval are included.

Is a personal return transfer provided?

No—personenrücktransfer (personal return transfer) is not included; return options include regional train or a pre-arranged car.

How long is the paddling each day?

Paddling time is approximately 2 hours on the first day and about 3.5 hours on the second, totaling roughly 13 kilometers to Dollnstein.

Are there overnight accommodations?

Yes—overnight stay is at INSEL CAMP and includes access to the onsite facilities; evening meals at MÜHLENWIRT are optional and not included in the base package.

What happens if the trip is undersubscribed?

The operator requires a minimum of six registrations per departure and reserves the right to cancel up to five days before the start if that threshold isn’t met.

Paddle the Altmühltal: 2-Day Guided NaTour from Pappenheim to Dollnstein

Adventure Brief

Float two tranquil days of the Altmühl between Pappenheim and Dollnstein with a certified guide, an overnight at INSEL CAMP, and stops at Solnhofen, the Zwölf Apostel and the Hammermühle. Ideal for families and first-time paddlers who want geology, swims, and authentic Bavarian hospitality.

2 days (Paddelzeit: ca. 2 + 3.5 Stunden)

moderate

From €126.14

NEU / 2-Tage / NaTour / Pappenheim - Dollnstein is a two-day guided paddling weekend through the Altmühltal Nature Park in Bavaria that pairs steady river miles with rustic overnights and cellar-door hospitality. The adventure begins at the meeting point on Auf der Lach 10, 91788 Pappenheim (Fußweg links am TSG-Sportheim vorbei, nach 50 m Einstieg an der Fußgängerbrücke) and threads downstream toward Solnhofen and Dollnstein, following a low-gradient section of the Altmühl where limestone cliffs and verdant floodplain alternate with shallow riffles.

Day one is an easy to moderate float from Pappenheim toward Solnhofen. The guide provides paddling tips, safety instruction, and regional lore while you stop for swims, a playground visit on the Altmühl-Insel, and a slow arrival at the INSEL CAMP. Night falls comfortably at the camp, with the option to enjoy a classic Bavarian evening in the MÜHLENWIRT biergarten. The second day resumes toward Dollnstein, passing the sculpted rock faces known locally as the Zwölf Apostel, a must-see sequence of vertical Solnhofen limestone outcrops that reveal the area’s Jurassic past. The route also includes a pause at the Hammermühle and a playful boat slide at Hagenacker before the tour concludes after roughly 13 kilometers in Dollnstein.

What makes this trip special is how it combines easy river travel with the region’s geology, small-scale hospitality, and smart logistics: boats, paddles, swim vests, a waterproof dry bag, and one night at INSEL CAMP are included; a certified guide stays with the group and supports navigation through small weirs. The minimum age or appropriate AKTIV MÜHLE life jacket requirement makes this genuinely family-friendly without sacrificing authentic outdoor movement.

For logistics-minded travelers, the operator assists with equipment retrieval and recommends returning to Solnhofen by regional train or a pre-arranged car. Expect shallow limestone shelves, reed-lined banks, kingfishers and the occasional otter silhouette at dawn. Respect for the Altmühltal’s fragile riverbanks and fossil-rich limestone is part of the briefing.

This weekend is ideal for active families, first-time paddlers seeking a guided overnight, and anyone who wants a low-stress introduction to Bavarian river travel with a local touch. Bring a sense of curiosity, a modest level of fitness for two half-day paddles (roughly 2 and 3.5 hours), and a camera for those striking cliff-lined river views.

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.