Plizio Visual Lab
Danube Gorge
The Danube Gorge near Weltenburg, also known as the 'Weltenburger Enge,' is a unique natural monument in Lower Bavaria. Over a length of about six kilometers, the Danube forces its way through limestone walls of the Franconian Jura that reach heights of up to 80 meters. This spectacular formation was created around 200,000 years ago as the water carved its path through the Jurassic rock. At the entrance to the gorge lies the famous Benedictine Abbey of Weltenburg, the oldest monastery in Bavaria, whose Asam Church is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. The region is designated as a nature reserve and hosts rare flora and fauna that thrive on the extreme rock habitats. Visitors can best explore the area by boat from Kelheim or via hiking trails along the riverbank cliffs. The Danube Gorge has been awarded the European Diploma for Protected Areas and is a significant destination for ecological tourism in Southern Germany.
- Location: Bavaria, Germany
- Top sights: St.Johann Baptist und Evangelist · Wolfgangswall · Donaudurchbruch
- Nearby: Saal an der Donau (7 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -2 | -1 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 60 | 45 | 49 | 42 | 81 | 81 | 81 | 83 | 58 | 53 | 54 | 58 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- Limestone cliffs rise up to 80 meters high
- Weltenburg Abbey was founded around 600 AD
- Formation was created approx. 200,000 years ago
- Awarded the European Diploma for Protected Areas
- Part of the Weltenburger Enge nature reserve
- Consists of coral limestone from the Upper Jurassic
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Danube Gorge (10)
St.Andreas
Building in Kelheim, Lower Bavaria, used as a place of worship.
Frauenbergkapelle⛪ church
Church building in Kelheim, Lower Bavaria, located on Frauenberg hill.
Klosterkirche St. Georg
Building in Kelheim, Lower Bavaria, part of Weltenburg Abbey.
Brauereimuseum🏛 museum
Museum about the history of brewing, likely in the region.
Kloster Weltenburg
Abbey, a Benedictine monastery on the Danube near Kelheim.
Schürfgrubenfeld vor- und frühgeschichtlicher bzw. mittelalterlicher Zeitstellung.
Archaeological site with prospection pits from prehistoric, protohistoric or medieval times.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
How is the best way to see the Danube Gorge?
Can you hike at the Danube Gorge?
Are there places to eat at the Danube Gorge?
When do the boats run through the Danube Gorge?
Is swimming allowed in the Danube Gorge?
Danube Gorge: where is it located?
Danube Gorge: what is there to see?
Danube Gorge: when is the best time to visit?
Danube Gorge: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
