PAPPENHEIM BOAT RENTAL FIELD GUIDE
Two Days on the Altmühl: Paddling from Pappenheim to Eichstätt
A two-day guided self‑paddle that follows the Altmühl through limestone cliffs, boat slides and charming riverside inns — useful as a practical companion to the route and logistics.
Two Days on the Altmühl: Paddling from Pappenheim to Eichstätt.
Embark on a two‑day kayaking passage through the Altmühltal, beginning at Pappenheim and finishing in historic Eichstätt. The route threads past dramatic limestone formations, familiar village weirs and riverside taverns, combining sustained paddling with frequent chances to land, portage and refresh before the next stretch.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Karst cliffs and the Zwölf Apostel
One of the most scenic stretches runs past the celebrated Zwölf Apostel rock group — an ideal spot for a riverside break and to sample the local hospitality at the Gasthof Dreizehnter Apostel.
Weirs, boat slides and portages
The itinerary includes a sequence of weirs that require either using boat slides at Hammermühle and Hagenacker or landing and carrying the boats around the obstruction — an operational rhythm repeated throughout the two days.
Camping, inns and riverfront villages
Day one ends at the Campingplatz in Dollnstein; along the way and on day two you pass small inns and riverside camping spots, such as the Gasthof Hirschenwirt in Wasserzell, that punctuate the paddling with food and shelter.
What the day feels like
What the two‑day passage feels like
The tour unfolds as two sustained paddling days (each roughly six hours without breaks) that total about 35.5 km. Expect a steady progression: a morning launch, long river sections punctuated by rocks and weirs, hands‑on portages or short rides on boat slides, and riverside stops for food or to camp overnight before a final glide into Eichstätt.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits and what to watch for.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Meet at the Altmühlsteg boat entry in Pappenheim for boat handover and a short paddling briefing before departure.
The route is split across two days: Day 1 is 18.8 km (about 6.0 h without breaks) and Day 2 is 16.7 km (about 6.0 h without breaks), for roughly 35.5 km in total.
You will encounter multiple weirs; some offer boat slides at Hammermühle and Hagenacker, while others require landing and carrying the boat around the obstacle.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour in total?
The itinerary covers about 35.5 km over two days.
How long are the paddling days?
Each day is approximately 6.0 hours of paddling without breaks: Day 1 is 18.8 km, Day 2 is 16.7 km.
Where do we meet for the start?
Meeting and launch are at the Altmühlsteg boat entry in Pappenheim (Auf der Lach 10).
Are boats and instruction provided?
Boats are handed over at the meeting point and a short paddling briefing is given before departure.
Where does the tour finish and how do I get back by train?
The tour ends at the boat exit in Eichstätt Stadt, about a two‑minute walk from the station. Note that Eichstätt Stadt is a terminus; you must take the Regionalbahn to Eichstätt (Wasserzell) to connect onward — services run roughly hourly toward Treuchtlingen or other connections.