Dollnstein: River, Rocks and History
Accommodation in Dollnstein
Dollnstein combines a medieval town centre with experiences on the Altmühl: along the cycle path, on hikes and on boat tours, river landscapes and history come together. Striking rocks and archaeological sites add to the picture in the surrounding area. When choosing a holiday apartment, it may help to first consider the kind of pace you want for your stay: should the day be spent mainly cycling or walking, on the water, or taking time to visit the castle and church? Dollnstein offers a range of ways to do this.
Burgstein at the southern edge of the Trockenhänge bei Dollnstein nature reserve
Photo: Ursula Jaeger via Source, CC BY-SA 4.0
Cycling, hiking and time on the water along the Altmühl
Dollnstein is right on the Altmühltal Cycle Route and is a starting point for trips along the river. The railway station can also be used as a starting point for outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking and boating. Dollnstein has its own Regional Express stop on the Nuremberg–Munich line.
For a longer hike, there is the 85-kilometre Urdonautalsteig trail. It starts in Dollnstein and follows the former course of the Urdonau through the “Beixenhard” natural forest reserve, via Wellheim to Rennertshofen. The Dollnstein–Wellheim section starts at the Antonius Chapel; there are signs directing visitors to the trail from the railway station. Check access information for the route before setting off.
The Dollnstein–Wellheim section of the Urdonautal Cycle Route is different: it is flat and runs mostly along the former Urdonautalbahn railway line. This means there are two distinct types of route—a long hiking trail along the former river course and a flat cycle route section on a former railway line.
Boat tours can also start directly from Dollnstein. The access point just outside Dollnstein has stone steps and a wooden slide for getting in and out; there is also a changing room and a Dixi toilet on site. As conditions for launching and operators may change, check the details before your trip. The Altmühl is considered Bavaria’s slowest river and is suitable for families and beginner paddlers.
Townscape, church and castle museum
A medieval defensive wall surrounds Dollnstein’s historic town centre, where half-timbered and Jura houses have been preserved. The Catholic parish church of St Peter and Paul presents a contrast in periods: the nave is Romanesque at its core, while the choir was built around 1300 in the Gothic style. The frescoes in the choir date from around 1320 to 1330; they were rediscovered and restored in 1877/78.
The exhibition at the Altmühlzentrum Burg Dollnstein invites visitors to learn about the history of the castle, the market town of Dollnstein and the entire region. It also explores the special features of the Altmühltal’s natural and cultural landscape. Highlights include the Dollnstein coin hoard. The museum’s educational programme is particularly well suited to the topic of “medieval life and living”. Guided tours are available on request.
Rocks and traces of earlier times
The Mühlberggrotte is located in the area around Dollnstein. The hemispherical grotto was excavated in 1947; finds there range from the present day back to the Palaeolithic. These include around 150 typical stone tools from the Palaeolithic Federmesser culture, dating to around 12,000 BC. The history of the finds offers a different perspective on the surroundings from the visible traces in the historic town centre.
The 60-hectare Mühlbergleite nature reserve near Dollnstein is also in the surrounding area. Its landscape includes sheep pastures and striking dolomite rocks, as well as hedges, patches of shrubs, and bordering deciduous and mixed forests.
The 45-metre-high Burgstein rock between Dollnstein and Breitenfurt is used by sport climbers and offers 30 routes graded IV to IX. It is also one of Bavaria’s most beautiful geological sites. The rock, nature reserve and grotto thus reveal different aspects of the nearby area: geological formations, diverse landscapes and archaeological finds. These different interests can help you decide what to focus on during your stay when choosing accommodation.
Discover more destinations: Beilngries, Kinding, Eichstätt, Titting, Großmehring, Altmannstein, Böhmfeld, Kösching.
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