Altmannstein: Hiking, Fossils and History
Accommodation in Altmannstein
Hiking trails, fossils and historic buildings reveal different sides of Altmannstein. Whether you want to explore the outdoors, split limestone slabs or learn about the town’s history, you can plan your days away in different ways.
Hiking trails with different routes
Route 24 connects Altmannstein with the Altmühltal Panorama Trail. The East Bavarian Way of St James runs from Kelheim via Weltenburg Abbey to Altmannstein and continues to the Bettbrunn pilgrimage church. There is also an 18-kilometre section of the Limes Trail from Denkendorf to Altmannstein. These details offer different ways to plan your outing: a connection to the panorama trail, a route with several named stops, and a section with specific endpoints and a stated length.
A free guided hike takes place on one Saturday each month, giving you the chance to get to know the municipality of Altmannstein and its neighbours. As the programme may change, check the latest dates before your trip.
Fossils and water
In Schamhaupten, which is part of the municipality of Altmannstein, visitors can discover animals and other organisms embedded in slate and limestone slabs at the fossil quarry. You can also split limestone slabs there using a hammer and chisel. Bring a hammer and flat chisel: tools are not available to hire on site. Check the local information before your visit. Information boards along the educational fossil trail near the quarry provide useful information.
Altmannstein outdoor swimming pool offers another way to spend a day away. The heated pool has a non-swimmer area and is about 50 metres long and 25 metres wide. Its depth ranges from 0.9 to 2.40 metres.
Architectural history in Altmannstein
Altmannstein Castle ruins are distinguished by their well-preserved round keep. It dates from the early 13th century; its walls, built of rusticated stone blocks, are two metres thick. The listed Hoferhaus, dating from the 17th or 18th century, is also worth noting in town: it houses the local history museum. In 1997, the market municipality also established the Ignaz Günther Museum in honour of the sculptor Ignaz Günther.
Nature on Kreutberg
Nearby, a juniper heath on Kreutberg offers nature lovers an outing in the Altmannstein area. It adds another reason to spend time outdoors to the hiking and culture options.
Include Eichstätt as a destination, too
In the wider Eichstätt destination, the Jura Museum focuses on fossils from the Solnhofen Plattenkalk limestone. The museum displays the original Eichstätt specimen of Archaeopteryx. Also in Eichstätt, the Willibaldsburg was built in 1355 by Bishop Berthold Burggraf von Zollern; it served as the bishop’s residence until 1725. Among the surviving features of the 420-metre-long castle are walls and bastions, the armoury, the 63-metre-long gate hall, and the Gemmingen building with its two towers. For families, the Eichstätt Fossil Trail is another option in the wider destination: the circular route is nine kilometres long and rated moderate.
When choosing a holiday apartment in Altmannstein, the balance you want between activity, water and culture can help guide your search. Consider which of the experiences described you would like to shape your days away, and use that to choose the right search location.
Discover more destinations: Wellheim, Schernfeld, Denkendorf, Kösching, Lenting, Mörnsheim, Pollenfeld, Oberdolling.
Back to the wider travel overview: Eichstätt.
