The Altmühl river is one of the best canoe routes in Germany — wide, slow-moving, and navigable throughout its length from Treuchtlingen to Kelheim. The current is gentle enough for beginners, the banks are undeveloped, and the limestone cliffs rising on both sides make the landscape continuously interesting. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at several points along the river, and shuttle services return you to your starting point.
Multi-day trips are the most satisfying: paddling for four to six hours a day and stopping at riverside towns for the night. The stretch between Pappenheim and Eichstätt is particularly scenic. The river is paddleable from April to October; July and August are busiest. Organised tour companies offer guided canoe trips with accommodation if you prefer not to plan independently.