The Altmühl Valley is easily reached from Munich or Nuremberg. Eichstätt has a train station on the Munich–Treuchtlingen line; the journey from Munich takes about 90 minutes. Nuremberg is closer (about 60 km to Gunzenhausen at the western end of the valley). By car, the A9 Autobahn between Munich and Nuremberg runs along the eastern edge of the valley.
Most cyclists starting the Altmühltal Radweg begin at Gunzenhausen (best reached from Nuremberg) and finish at Kelheim near Regensburg. Local trains connect the valley towns and make it easy to return to your starting point after a one-way ride.