Headwater - Bavarian Two Rivers Self-Guided Walk

7 days
from
£915
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Leisurely / Moderate
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Trip code: 
W06BA
Way to Travel:
Self-Guided
Activity:
Walking & Trekking
Min age:
12

Bavaria is simply stunning - criss-crossed by beautiful rivers that meander through deep valleys, contrast dark Alpine forest, pretty towns and villages are home to quaint traditional inns and eateries, and onion-domed church towers peep above lush green meadows.

This six-night holiday takes you on a stunning journey, following the well-marked Jurasteig path, through the rich Bavarian countryside, covering riverside paths, flowering meadows, and pine-scented forests. Your walk follows the Altmuhl river with its steep valleys rich with castles and pretty towns, crossing Europe's longest wooden bridge to arrive at the confluence with the mighty Danube. After visiting the spa town of Bad Abbach, you'll leave the Danube behind and climb into the lower German Jura Mountains to arrive at Eilsbrunn, finishing at the world's oldest inn.

Highlights

  • Based on our popular 8 night, Bavarian Rivers and Valleys Walk
  • Scenic walks following the Altmuhl and Danube rivers
  • Fascinating flora and fauna: eagles, hawks, deer, wild boar, flowers
  • Stunning fairytale castles peeping from green woodland
  • Beautiful spa town of Bad Abbach, with its sulphurous springs
  • Start and finish in UNESCO World Heritage Regensburg.

Key information

  • Departs Every two days from 13 May '18 to 14 Oct '18
  • 3 Days walking
  • All buffet breakfasts
  • Managed locally by Headwater employed representative
  • Headwater beer service 
  • Route notes and maps provided 
  • Luggage transfers between hotels

What's included

  • All breakfasts
  • Route notes and maps
  • Luggage transfers between hotels

What's not included

  • Visas and vaccinations
  • Travel insurance
  • Single supplements
Call for general departures:
020 8772 3936
Call for tailormade trips:
020 8772 3874
Email us >
Request a brochure >
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes
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3

Days of Walking & Trekking
Terrain:

Walks are on well marked paths - a mix of tarmac, stone and woodland paths.

Day by day breakdown
Day 222.0km/14.0miles
Day 422.0km/14.0miles
Day 617.0km/11.0miles

Responsible Travel

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

Itinerary

Include flights Expand all
Regensburg
to
Regensburg

  • Day 1

    Arrive in Regensburg

    Arrive in mediaeval UNESCO World Heritage Regensburg and maybe head to a local beer garden for dinner. (Staying at the Hotel Jakob, Breakfast only)

  • Day 2

    Riedenburg to Kelheim

    Today's route leads over the slopes at the side of the Altmuhl to the enchanting rocky compound of the Klamm nature reserve (gorge). On its highest point you have a most impressive view of the castle of Prunn on the opposite side. Crossing the bridge across the Altmuhl near Einthal you'll reach the other side of the river, where the trail leads up to the castle of Prunn and an inn of the same name. You are rewarded for the strenuous ascent with a spectacular view of the Altmuhl valley. Continuing, with a view of the massive Jura walls above Essing, you cross the Altmuhl for a last time on one of the longest wooden bridges in Europe, the so-called Tatzlwurm (winged dragon). Soon, you reach the ascent to the Keltenwall (Celts' rampart) which leads over the hill down into the valley of the Danube. (Staying at Hotel Dormero, Breakfast only)

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 3

    At Kelheim

    Kelheim sits in the confluence of the Danube and Altmuhl rivers. You can wander around the pleasant town or take a boat trip along the Danube to the C7 Benedictine abbey Kloster Weltenburg. Complete with its own brewery and brewery museum, from here you can walk back on a lovely route passing the Weltenburger Enge, or take the boat back. Alternatively, take a trip up to the Hall of Liberation (Befreiungshalle) of King Ludwig I or to the Archeological Museum. (Staying at Hotel Dormero, Breakfast only)

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 4

    Kelheim to Bad Abbach

    The Jurasteig trail leads up to the Goldberg. Shortly before you reach Kapfelberg, there is a gorgeous view over the Danube valley with the Devil's Rock (Teufelsfelsen) near Bad Abbach, before the Jurasteig crosses the Danube near Poikam to the river's other side. The route follows a scenic pathway through an idyllic sloping forest directly into the spa park, where in former times Emperor Charles V bathed in the salubrious waters of Bad Abbach. (Staying at Parkresidenz Bad Abbach, Breakfast only)

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 5

    At Bad Abbach

    Maybe take a spa to refresh the muscles from the previous days or relax in the lovely park. There are a series of well-marked circular trails you can follow, including an easy path along the Danube. You can also take the local bus to Regensburg to spend the day there. (Staying at Parkresidenz Bad Abbach, Breakfast only)

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 6

    Bad Abbach to Regensburg (Eilsbrunn)

    Today you follow the idyllic Danube shores to the pedestrian bridge north of Bad Abbach, after which the Jurasteig follows the route through the nature preserve of the slopes above Oberndorf. The route ascends through the settlement of Kalkofenring, following a changing woody landscape with beautiful views of the Danube valley. In Matting, a cable ferry boat takes you to the other side of the Danube. With its steep rocky walls, the nature preserve of the slopes of Mattinger Hange offers impressive scenery and the opportunity to watch the peregrine falcon hunt. On top of the slope, a pathway leads to a marvellous viewpoint that offers a last outlook over the Danube valley. Passing the Zuylen chapel, you will reach Alling in the valley of the Schwarze Laber. Scenic beech forests nature trails lead to Eilsbrunn, and after having a beer in the world's oldest inn (closed Tuesdays) you take a bus back to Regensburg for your last night. (Staying at Hotel Jakob, Breakfast only)

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • Day 7

    Leave Regensburg

    Meals included: Breakfast
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes
Show map

Essential Info

Visas

Germany

No visa required for British passport holders.

Vaccinations

Germany

There are no specific health risks.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts included.

What is your first thought when you think of German food, Bier und Bratwurst or Beer and sausages, and if this is what you want then you will not be disappointed. However there is much more to Bavarian cuisine. Meat and freshwater fish are heavily used but vegetarians are also well catered for. Germans tend to follow similar eating patterns to the UK, with breakfast, followed by a small lunch, and large evening meal, dinners tends to be taken fairly early and restaurants will start serving from 6pm. Throughout the towns there are a good choice of differing places to eat, the most traditional of these are the beer halls, these are not just places to
drink the local brew, they are also offer traditional cuisine, they can be nice for lunch as they offer small plates of tasty morcels, you will also find the local bratwurst in served them. The most social of places are the beer
gardens, these offer really good food in an outdoor setting many have indoor eating areas as well, don’t let the name put you off they also normally have a fairly good wine list too. Then there are the restaurants you will find in most towns a good choice of both German and International cuisine.

Weather

Average temperatures in summer are in the region of 25'C-30'C. The warmest month is usually July whilst the coldest is mainly January. Every month has its share of precipitation on an average of 14 days per month.

Is this trip for you?

Classification: Self-Guided
Activity Level: 2 (Leisurely/Moderate)
Average daily distance on move on days: 20km (13 miles). 
No. of days walking: 3
Terrain and route: The suggested walking follows a mix of tarmac, stone and woodland well-marked paths.
Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can walk at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. A representative will be there to meet you and will be on call throughout the trip should you need.

It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. 

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Families
Self-guided walking holidays are a perfect option for families as they offer the freedom for you to take your holiday at your own pace. You can stop as and when you want and need, at the cafes and restaurants that suit your family and the sites that interest you.

Call for general departures:
020 8772 3936
Call for tailormade trips:
020 8772 3874
Email us >
Request a brochure >
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Accommodation

Hotels

You'll stay in a mix of hotels: a modernised town house in Regensburg, a lovely **** boutique hotel in the centre of Kelheim and a small aparthotel ran by the extremely welcoming Simone in Bad Abbach.

Call for general departures:
020 8772 3936
Call for tailormade trips:
020 8772 3874
Email us >
Request a brochure >
Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

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Dates & Prices

An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

 

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London  

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros Cons
  • May be the most direct route
  • Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal.
  • As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.
  • You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

 

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.
 
a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination. 

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros Cons
  • Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.
  • Through fare tickets can be expensive.
  • On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination.
  • Published fares are non-refundable.

 

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros Cons
  • You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.
  • You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

 

 Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

  • On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.
  • On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client. 

 

Next steps? 

Call our Sales team on: 0203 733 0698

Email your query: [email protected]

Call us on 020 8772 3936
Chat with us online