Jurasteig Hauptroute

The place

[Route 1010_00] Circular hiking route with connector: Jurasteig loop in the Neumarkt i.d.Opf. district

Why go

Prunn Castle above the Altmühl valley. Willibaldsburg in Eichstätt. Kelheim Liberation Hall. Solnhofen Fossil Museum. Blautopf springs. Franconian brewery beer culture.

A bit of history

Opened in 2009, rated a 5-star quality hiking trail (German Hiking Institute). The Franconian Jura was once a shallow coral reef in the Jurassic Sea (150 million years ago) — hence the name 'Jura' and its wealth of fossils, including the famous Archaeopteryx.

Getting there

Neumarkt: train station (30 min from Nuremberg). Kelheim: bus/taxi from Regensburg (30 min).

Recommended gear

Hiking boots (limestone paths). Sun protection. Rain jacket.

Best season

April to October. Autumn foliage especially beautiful.