Solnhofen – Fossils, Nature and Culture

Originals and Fossil Hunting

The Regional Paleontological Museum in Solnhofen displays unique original specimens of Archaeopteryx. A guided tour of the Solnhofen Museum – Bürgermeister-Müller Museum also offers insights into the world of fossils dating back 150 million years. The exhibition consists exclusively of originals. If you are interested in the history of fossils, you can combine your museum visit with a hands-on experience: visitors can search for fossils themselves at the Solnhofen hobby quarry. Tools are available to borrow there.

The museum is 100 metres from Solnhofen station. Free parking is available directly in front of the museum; it is also right on the Altmühltal Cycle Route. These landmarks are especially helpful if you are planning your stay around a museum visit or would like to reach Solnhofen by bicycle.

Circular Trails Between the Valley and the Plateau

In Solnhofen, 45 kilometres of signposted circular trails run through the valley, across slopes covered with mixed forest, and up to the plateau of the Franconian Jura. The trails therefore take in a range of landscapes; the 45 kilometres are divided among several circular trails, rather than making up a single 45-kilometre loop. When choosing a route, you can consider whether you would prefer to walk in the valley, on the wooded slopes, or on the plateau.

Another hiking route is the Altmühltal Panorama Trail: one section runs from Pappenheim via Solnhofen to Mörnsheim. When choosing between the local circular trails and this section of the route, bear in mind that they follow different paths. The Twelve Apostles Rocks lie on the valley slope beside the road between Eßlingen and Solnhofen. They are part of a nature reserve and can be reached from Solnhofen.

Discover the History of the Town

The Sola Basilica and Provostry in Solnhofen include a three-aisled Carolingian basilica with a crypt and the tomb of Saint Sola. The building adds a cultural highlight alongside the town’s nature-focused experiences. If you would like to make your trip more varied, you can choose between fossils, landscapes, and an important religious building.

As you look for a holiday apartment, consider which of these experiences you would like to shape your stay: a visit to the museum, searching for fossils at the hobby quarry, or time on the signposted trails. Solnhofen offers a blend of natural history discoveries, hiking landscapes, and cultural heritage.

More local pages to help with your search: Weißenburg In Bayern, Nennslingen, Dittenheim, Raitenbuch, Gunzenhausen, Thalmannsfeld, Muhr Am See and Gnotzheim.

For the broader travel overview: Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen.