The Franconian Lake District is a delightful lake area in the Franconian Alb in the administrative district Middle Franconia, South from Nuremberg. It is not only characterized by its numerous lakes, but also attracts many tourists because of its festivals, diverse cultural offerings and countless sporting activities.
Regions
Almost all of the region's lakes are artificially created and dammed with dykes or dams.
Three large areas of the lake landscape can be distinguished:
- Altmühlsee - lake embedded and dammed by dikes, fed with water from the Altmühl.
- Brombachsee - The large and small Brombachsee and Igelsbachsee are artificially created reservoirs whose water mainly comes from the Altmühlsee via the Altmühlüberleiter.
- Rothsee - serves directly as a compensation basin for the Main-Danube Canal.
There are also:
- Hahnenkammsee - a flood retention basin at the foot of the Hahnenkamm
- Dennenloher See - on the edge of the large forest area "Heide"
places
The most famous places are:
- 1 Gunzenhausen
- Recreation place between Altmühlsee and Brombachsee - 2 Weißenburg in Bavaria - former Roman and imperial city
- 3 Roth - with Ratibor Castle and the famous Rothsee Triathlon
- 4 gap - Hop and beer town in the hop growing area with the last municipal brewery in Germany
- 5 Absberg -
- 6 Abenberg -
- 7 Allersberg -
- 8 Hilpoltstein -
- 9 Georgensgmünd -
- 10 Muhr am See -
- 11 Wolframs-Eschenbach -
- 12 Merkendorf -
- 13 Haundorf -
- 14 Ornbau -
- 15 Mitteleschenbach -
- 16 Heideck -
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background
The Franconian lake landscape was created with the Main-Danube Canal in the period from 1974 to 2000 and to transfer water from the rainy region in the Altmühltal and Danube valleys via the European main watershed into the much drier and arid Regnitz-Main area.
Romans
Relics of the long history can be found throughout the area and invite visitors to follow in the footsteps of past times.
2000 years ago the Romans occupied what is now the lake district and built a large border wall: the Limes, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest soil monument in Europe.
- Weissenburg - Central Bavarian Limes Information Center (in the Roman Museum). Here you get comprehensive information on the entire Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes between the Rhine and Danube, but also specifically on the Roman heritage in the Franconian Lake District and the Altmühltal Nature Park. In the Roman Museum itself, finds from numerous excavations in the Weißenburg area illustrate the long history. The highlight of the exhibition is the Roman treasure, which was buried between 233 and 259/60 because of an impending danger and was only rediscovered in an asparagus patch in 1979.
- Fort "Biriciana" - on the western edge of today's Weißenburg. With the reconstructed north gate, it provides an insight into the architecture of Roman fortifications. Another testimony of the Romans is that Thermal bathswhich were probably built by legionnaires as a civil bath. The well-preserved foundations and reconstructed rooms give a picture of the typical Roman baths
- Limes hiking trail - 120 km from Gunzenhausen (Archaeological Museum) via Burgstallwald (remains of two watchtowers and Limes walls), Theilenhofen (thermal baths of the "Iciniacum"), Ellingen (fort "Sablonetum"), Burgsalach (small fort "Burgus"), Altmuehltal Nature Park to Bad Gögging
Traveling with children
The region has a wide range of options for families with children, examples are: bathing and splashing around in the lakes or the numerous pools, romping around on the sandy beaches or playgrounds or horse riding through nature. Covered wagon or carriage ride around the lakes or on horseback from one of the numerous riding stables. Mini golf courses, adventure playgrounds, the summer toboggan run in Pleinfeld or the game reserve.
- Muhr am Altmühlsee - guided hike across the Vogelinsel
- Gunzenhausen - special events for children ("Stone Age - Wild Time", "On the Trail of the Middle Ages", "Small creatures in the Altmühl" or "The secret of the water stork", for example) are the topics)
- Seenzentrum Schlungenhof (Altmühlsee) - children can go out to sea as pirates on the MS Altmühlsee or take part in a ghost ride
- Brombachsee - ship explorations especially for children on the MS Brombachsee, questions to the boatswain and acquire a mini-captain's patent
In addition to the companies that have been recognized by “Kinderland Bayern”, there are also three independent programs in the region for accommodation:
- Providers marked with the symbol “Seebienchen” between Altmühlsee and Brombachsee have specialized in families with (small) children, for example, with playgrounds, petting animals and a care program.
- An attractive holiday program is also offered in the “Family Villages” in the vicinity of Spalt, for example with special children's and family weeks.
- The "Familyfarm" businesses are the specialized hosts for holidays on the farm.
getting there
By plane
The nearest airport is the international one Nuremberg Airport. This offers numerous scheduled connections to European destinations and many charter connections.
The can also be reached quickly Munich Airport. From here offer above all Lufthansa and their partner the Star Alliance Connections to cities in Germany, Europe and worldwide. As the second largest airport in Germany, it is connected to a growing number of cities.
By train
Getting to the Franconian Lake District by train is very easy:
The Altmühlsee is easy to reach, as the neighboring Gunzenhausen is directly on the Würzburg - Ansbach - Treuchtlingen railway line.
The large Brombachsee borders the town of Pleinfeld in the southeast, which has a train station on the very well-served railway line Nuremberg - Weißenburg - Treuchtlingen.
But the smaller towns on the Brombachsen can also be reached by train. A regional train runs about every hour on the Gunzenhausen - Pleinfeld route, stopping in Langlau on the small Brombachsee and in Ramsberg on the large Brombachsee. Two important holiday centers on the Brombachsen are thus directly connected to the rail network. For the route from Gunzenhausen to Pleinfeld, the train only takes 15 minutes - a fast train connection to the individual lakes is therefore guaranteed. Bicycles can also be taken on this regional train line.
Another good way to get here is the following bus connection: The Brombachsee-Express 605 runs from the Nuremberg S-Bahn terminus Roth to Endersdorf on the northern shore of the large Brombach axis and also offers bicycle trailers on weekends.
In the street
The Franconian Lake District lies west of the Autobahn 9 and south of the A6. The four-lane B 2n leads from the A 6, motorway junction Roth to the AS Roth-Hilpoltstein. The federal highways B 2, B 13 and B 466 are also suitable for arrival.
mobility
The Franconian Lake District is part of the transport network for the greater Nuremberg area VGN.
shipping
- MS Brombachsee - Trimaran, route Ramsberg, Absberg, Enderndorf, Allmannsdorf, Pleinfeld / Wald, Ramsberg, daily tours from April (Friday until 12.30 p.m. happy hour rates, every second person free; Sunday brunch). • Fare: € 8.50 for the 1.5 hour round trip.
- MS Altmühlsee - April to November daily round trips on the Schlungenhof route, Muhr am See surf center, forest. • Fare: € 6
Tourist Attractions
Lakes
Altmuehlsee
- The Altmuehlsee is a dammed lake in front Gunzenhausen and is fed by the Altmühl. It lies on a flat plain and is largely diked. Its depth is only 2.5 m, which means it heats up quickly and is full of algae in late summer, making it impossible to bathe. The outflow goes both over the Altmühl into the Danube, as well as over the small and large Brombachsee in the Rednitz and Regnitz in the Main. It supplies the Main and the Main-Danube Canal with additional water. The western part of the Altmühlsee is dedicated to nature conservation.
- - length up to 3.5 km, width up to 1.5 km, depth up to 2.5 m, dam height: 5.5 m; Total area 450 ha (water area 250 ha, shallow water zone and bird island 200 ha); Bike / hiking trail around the lake 12 km; Vogelinsel with a 1.5 km nature trail and a lookout tower
- Lake centers in Schlungenhof, Muhr, Wald (sailing school), Schlungenhof (surf center), recreation facilities on the supply line in Gern and Mörsbach; Shipping from May to October
Brombachsee
- - length up to 2.5 km, width up to 1.0 km, depth up to 13.4 m; Total area 250 ha; Bike / hiking trail around the lake 8.5 km;
- Lake centers in Langlau and Absberg (bathing peninsula and Seemeisterstelle)
- - length up to 2.2 km, width up to 0.4 km, depth up to 11.5 m; Total area 90 ha; Bike / hiking trail around the lake 6.5 km,
- Recreation center in Enderndorf am See
- - length up to 5.1 km, width up to 2 km, depth up to 32.5 m; Dam height: 36 m; Total area 870 ha; Bike / hiking trail around the lake 16 km;
- See centers in Ramsberg, Pleinfeld-Süd, Allmannsdorf, Absberg-Seepsitz, and Enderndorf am See; Shipping from April to October
Rothsee
- Rothsee
- - Pre-barrier: length up to 1.8 km, width up to 0.3 km, depth up to 8.5 m; Total area 50 ha; Bike / hiking trail around the lake 5.2 km;
- Seezentrum in Birkach and Grashof; Nature reserve Reservoir root of the Rothsee
- - Main dam: length up to 1.8 km, width up to 1.5 km, depth up to 15.4 m; Total area 160 ha; Bike / hiking trail around the lake 6.7 km;
- See center in Heuberg, nature reserve Northwest bank of the Rothsee main barrier
more lakes
- Hahnenkammsee
- Dennenlohersee - Idyllic lake with swimming areas at Dennenlohe Castle. For swimming and fishing. Public toilet free of charge (bring your own toilet paper), shower for a fee. Restaurant and kiosk in the campsite right on the lake. Fishing permits available at the campsite. Boating and surfing allowed. Mobile homes can also be parked directly on the lakeshore for camping (subject to a charge). Campsite Dennenloher See.
activities
water
- Sailing and kite or windsurfing - freely accessible slipways, sailing harbors and boat berths; specially designated banks for surfers
- fishing - Eel, carp, tench, pike, pikeperch, catfish or lake trout are part of the stocking of the lakes, fishing permits are available at the tourist information offices and other issuing points
- Indoor swimming opportunities - Juramare adventure pool in Gunzenhausen and Mogetissa-Therme in Weißenburg
- children - Lake centers and recreation facilities around the lakes with child-friendly infrastructure
- rental - Numerous rental of pedal boats, electric boats, rowing boats or inflatable boats
- Swimming - Sandy beaches, shallow lake shores
- Wakeboarding and Water-skiing at the small Brombachsee
To go biking
The Franconian Lake District offers cyclists a variety of options. Both regional cycle paths (a total of 1500 km) and long-distance cycle paths lead through the region. Many landlords in the Franconian Lake District have adapted to the special wishes and needs of cycling holidaymakers and are certified as bike-friendly accommodations according to the guidelines of the Bavarian Hotel and Restaurant Association. Cyclists are very welcome here and can also rent a room for just one night. In some cases, there are also additional offers especially for cyclists.
- Franconian Lake District Trail - Cycle path that connects the three largest lakes. It is 66 km long and leads from Ornbau am Altmühlsee to Allersberg an den Rothsee, over the Brombachsee (variation when returning by train: Muhr am See to Roth).
- Altmuehlsee - Circular route with a length of 12 km and 10 different bike paths in the surrounding area between 18 and 42 km; Storchenradwanderweg - "Meister (r) Ade (l) bar - on the way with the stork in the Altmühltal". Numerous stork nests along the route with 10 information boards about the white stork and its natural habitat.
- Großer Brombachsee, Igelbachsee and Rothsee - easy to circumnavigate by bike (short and flat stretches)
- Brombachsee <–> Altmühlsee - 11 km distance
- Tour to the European watershed - 32 km through the Hilpoltstein area
- Gates-towers-locks cycle path - Cultural tour through the Franconian Lake District past historical monuments from Roman times, the Middle Ages and the Baroque
- Long-distance cycle paths
- Limes cycle path - from the Rhine to the Danube
- Altmühlweg and Altmühltal-Radweg - from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Kelheim
- Burgenstrasse cycle path
- SandAchse cycle path (180 km - Bamberg to Weißenburg)
Bike rental
Bicycles are rented out at numerous locations. 7-speed bikes cost e.g. for 2 hours: 4 €, 4 hours: 7 €, a whole day: 9 €. Bikes are also available for € 5-6.
hike
Hikers will find over 1,500 kilometers of marked hiking trails here, which lead, for example, into the Spalter cherry and hops country, into the Weißenburg city and Mönchswald or around the lakes. The ridge of the Hahnenkamm around the Hahnenkammsee is also a particularly attractive hiking area.
- Circular hiking trail "Franconian Lake District circular hiking trail" near Pleinfeld - the hiking trail leads through the surroundings of the small town on the Brombachsee and provides interesting insights into the nature of the lake region over a length of 19 kilometers
- "All-Hi-Ro" path on the Rothsee - connects Allersberg, Hilpoltstein and Roth with each other, the 31-kilometer tour can also be hiked in several stages to visit the sights along the way such as the castle in Hilpoltstein, Ratibor Castle in Roth or the baroque Allersberg
- Mühlenweg from Hilpoltstein to Roth - leads past 17 different mills
- Sandbockelweg near Pleinfeld - Children can test their senses at various stations, relax on talking benches or make themselves comfortable in the Indian tent
- Altmühltal-Panoramaweg (German hiking trail of the year) - also begins in the Franconian Lake District and leads from Gunzenhausen for 200 kilometers to Kelheim in the Altmühltal Nature Park.
- IVV hiking weeks gap - Hikers can choose between two guided tours of 10 or 20 kilometers (there is also an IVV hiking trail about 10 kilometers long in Muhr am See)
Nordic walking
In the Franconian Lake District, Nordic walkers will find signposted Nordic walking routes for all levels. Guided tours are offered, both for beginners and advanced skiers (for example from the Seehof beach hotel in Langlau, Absberg or Haundorf).
- Gunzenhausen - In the footsteps of the Romans through the Burgstallwald with panels on gymnastics and technology
- Roth - Five different routes from 2.7 to 12 km mainly on natural soil, 2 routes are even illuminated at night
- gap - Six routes with different levels of difficulty
- Pleinfeld - Nordic walking park on the eastern shore of the Brombach lake
Inline skating
Inline skaters find good conditions in the Franconian Lake District with asphalted paths and facilities. Almost every town and municipality has suitable paths, plus there are skate facilities with ramps, half and quarter pipes or fun boxes.
Skiken - cross skating
The new and joint-friendly trend sport is possible all year round (in the snow-free time). Guided tours including rental of equipment are possible at the Strandhotel Seehof.
Summer toboggan run
- Pleinfeld summer toboggan run, on Bundesstraße 2 between Pleinfeld and Ellingen, phone 49 (0) 9141 / 978-60 or 49 (0) 9144/6300 also offers a wildlife park, mini golf, beer garden and bungee trampoline.
Climbing garden
in Enderndorf on the north bank of the great Brombachsee
Regular events
In the historic towns and villages, visitors will find palaces and castles, residences and churches, medieval squares and winding streets. In addition, almost each of these places offers its own cultural program.
- Weissenburg offers its visitors the almost completely preserved city wall, the famous Ellinger Tor, the Imperial City Museum about the history of the city, the Roman thermal baths and a reconstructed gate of the Roman fort. In addition, the Hohenzollern fortress Wülzburg, above the city, is a popular hiking destination.
- “Musica Briciana” - chamber music as well as swing, dixi and jazz will be performed in the concert series at various venues (Karmeliterkirche, Wildbadsaal and Martin-Luther-Platz).
- Bergwaldtheater - natural stage in a former quarry, in June to August
- Muhr am See
- Open-air stage in the Bürgerhof - the Altmühlsee Festival takes place here from June to August
- Roth
- Roth Castle Festival - At Ratibor Castle
- 18. Rother Bluestage - great musicians and young artists present themselves in Roth.
- Dennenlohe Castle
- Concert series - in the luxurious baroque palace
- Altmuehlsee
- Altmühlsee Festival - annual festival with numerous bands around the lake (free ship and bus shuttle service)
- gap
- Summer Night Festival
- Wolframs-Eschenbach
- Summer theater
- Merkendorf
- Herb Week in September
- Merkendorf-Heglau
- Herb festival in September
other festivals
Tradition plays a major role in the region. The numerous church fairs, town and old town festivals should be of particular interest to tourists.
- Hilpoltstein - Medieval Castle Festival (August), with a historical festival and parade. In addition, the medieval festival "Knights, Bards, Bag Cutters" takes place every May.
- Pappenheim Castle - Knight spectacle (August), with mounted exhibition fights, children's program, long archer tournament with audience participation, medieval market, bird of prey demonstrations and medieval bathing rooms
- Abenberg - Fire dance festival (annual open air at the castle)
- Wolframs-Eschenbach - Robber Hotzenplotz Festival (August)
kitchen
This is north of the Altmühlsee Merkendorfer Krautland, which is known for its centuries-long cultivation of vegetable cabbage. Hence there are restaurants around the city Merkendorf many dishes with Merkendorfer sauerkraut.
security
climate
literature
Hiking maps
- Franconian Lake District 1: 35,000, Fritsch hiking map: Altmühlsee, Großer and Kleiner Brombachsee, Igelsbachsee, Rothsee, ISBN 978-3861161752
- Cycling and hiking map: Altmühlsee - Brombachsee, PUBLICPRESS, 1: 50,000, ISBN 978-3-89920-356-1
