WinneTour II — 5-Day Altmühl Canoe & Fossil Camp for School Groups

On the Altmühl River in Bavaria, the WinneTour II offers five days of river paddling, fossil hunting and riverside camping around Solnhofen, Germany. This school-oriented trip runs from Pappenheim through Solnhofen to Dollnstein, with two on-water stages and a fixed campsite at the INSEL CAMP on the riverbank. Start with a clear image: morning mist over reed beds, oars cutting glassy water, chalk-white cliffs of Solnhofen limestone leaning above the current. The route follows the gentle meanders of the Altmühl — shallow, slow, and ideal for groups learning canoe handling — passing low bluffs, floodplain meadows, and centuries-old lime deposits. The geological highlight is the Solnhofen Plattenkalk: fine-grained Jurassic limestone where exceptionally preserved fossils, including early feathers and fish, have been quarried. The program pairs paddling with a guided geo-excursion: a museum introduction to the Jura fossil beds followed by supervised fossil hunting in the Solnhofer Schiefersteinbruch. Camp life centers on the INSEL CAMP, a fixed riverside base where organizers pitch 2–4 person canvas tents (sleeping pads and bags not included) so classes avoid daily tents breakdown. Evenings run practical — full meals from the MÜHLENWIRT, fire-circle games, supervised swimming and low-key skill sessions led by certified guides. The outfitter supplies boats, paddles, PFDs, waterproof boxes and boat transfer; teachers retain oversight for meals and dorms. Group logistics are straightforward: no tent-moving between nights, and a 24/7 emergency contact is in place, though program does not include train tickets or passenger transfers. Safety notes are baked into the offer: participants must be able swimmers and dress for cool, damp nights in the Altmühl valley. The guides emphasize basic stroke technique, river reading in low-flow conditions, and fossil ethics — take photos, leave specimens to experts unless permitted. For school groups, the trip is a practical field lab in geology, ecology and team skills, pairing hands-on learning with accessible paddling. Why book it? WinneTour II compresses big lessons into a short, supervised adventure: shallow river paddling that builds confidence, a direct encounter with Jurassic stone, and a single-site camp that keeps logistics teacher-friendly. For any class visiting Bavaria curious about fossils and rivers, it’s a compact, well-run way to turn the classroom into the field. Practical details matter: groups meet at the Ausgabeort Aktiv Mühle in Solnhofen before the first paddle; the program is designed for participants aged 7 and up and runs with groups starting at about 20 students. Gear such as boats, life jackets and waterproof containers are provided, but each student should bring a sleeping bag, sleeping mat and layered clothing for cool nights. Schools should confirm local education authority rules for on-water activities and ensure all participants meet the swim requirement before booking. Contact organizers for booking details.