SOLNHOFEN BOAT RENTAL FIELD GUIDE
Two Days of Rivercraft and Rock: Canoeing the Solnhofen–Eichstätt Stretch of the Altmühltal
A roughly two-day, ~29.6 km canoe route from Solnhofen to Eichstätt featuring boat slides, scenic limestone outcrops and riverside inns — this guide lays out the route, stops and transport notes.
Two Days of Rivercraft and Rock: Canoeing the Solnhofen–Eichstätt Stretch of the Altmühltal.
Embark on an energetic canoe journey through the Altmühltal, launching from Solnhofen and ending in Eichstätt. The route threads past dramatic limestone cliffs and the Zwölf Apostel rock group, drops through two built-in boat slides and includes multiple riverside inns and camp options en route. It’s a compact, action-forward paddling itinerary that pairs constant river scenery with short portages and village stops.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Limestone walls and the Zwölf Apostel
The paddling corridor cuts through one of the most picturesque stretches of the Altmühltal, passing the Felsgruppe Zwölf Apostel and riverside villages where inns provide natural pause points.
Built-in boat slides and sporty sections
Two notable boat slides at Hammermühle and Hagenacker provide the tour’s liveliest moments — described as the region’s ‘spritzigste’ canoeing — and are ideal for quick pauses, picnics or a splashy break.
Riverside inns, campgrounds and village exits
Along the way, established inns such as the Gasthof Dreizehnter Apostel and Zum Kirchenschmied, the Altmühlzentrum Burg Dollnstein, and campgrounds near Dollnstein or Breitenfurt provide straightforward options for food and overnighting.
What the day feels like
What the two-day paddle feels like
Two days of mostly downstream paddling alternate between steady river mileage and short, scenic interruptions — weirs and portages, village landings for food or a campsite, and the occasional rush through boat slides. The first day runs from Solnhofen to Dollnstein or on to Breitenfurt; the second day finishes in Eichstätt just minutes from the station.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and what to consider
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The trip information does not include a specific gear list from the operator.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour and what distance does it cover?
The itinerary is designed as a two-day tour; the combined advertised distance is about 29.6 km across the two days.
Where is the meeting and put-in point?
The launch is at the Kanuuh bootseinstieg in Solnhofen (Im Kloster), under the Altmühlbrücke and roughly two minutes from the train station.
What are the typical day-to-day segments?
Day 1 runs Solnhofen to Dollnstein (12.9 km / ~3.5 h) or on to Breitenfurt (16.3 km / ~5.0 h) without breaks; Day 2 continues from Dollnstein or Breitenfurt to Eichstätt (16.7 km / ~5.5 h or 13.3 km / ~3.5 h) without breaks.
Are there portages or weirs to negotiate?
Yes — the itinerary includes several umtragestellen/portages at weirs such as Solnhofer Mühle and Bubenrother Mühle, and additional portages at Rebdorf and the Willibaldbrücke.
Where does the trip end and are there transport notes for departures?
The exit is in Stadt Eichstätt a few minutes from the station; note that you may need to take a Regionalbahn from Eichstätt Stadt to the Eichstätt Wasserzell station and change there as instructed.