EXCURSIONS WITH CHILDREN.

Last weekend I had a visit from my siblings and children. Unfortunately, it wasn’t bathing weather, so we had to decide what to do with the children. With an age range of two, four and eight-year-old boys and girls, it’s not easy to plan a nice outing that everyone will enjoy. We’ve only recently been to Höllbachtal, so what to do? Here are our tips:

Tips for excursions with children around Regensburg!

Robbers’ den near Etterzhausen

Halfway between Etterzhausen and Penk, high above the Naab River along the Jurasteig trail, there is a real bandits’ cave! This cave was formed during the Jurassic period, when flowing water slowly dissolved the limestone and carved out the cave. It was likely already used by the Celts and served as a refuge for many.
Because of the good view of the Naab River, the cave later became a good starting point for raids. With a diameter of 24 meters and a height of 7 meters, the cave is surprisingly large. At the end of the 18th century, the cave entrance was expanded and a staircase was built into the cave. It is open to the public.

From the Etterzhausen train station, take the so-called station footpath to Nürnbergerstrasse, walk a short distance to the right, cross the street, and turn left onto Amberger Straße. From there, turn left onto Bischof-Rudolf-Straße, which leads into the forest and uphill directly onto the Jurasteig. From here, follow the hiking sign with the red rectangle (W15) and the Jurasteig sign. Later, the Jurasteig splits into an upper and a lower path; the lower one is actually easier to walk. Continuing to follow the red rectangle, you’ll reach the Räuberhöhle. On weekends, the cave is a popular spot for parents with children. It’s best to bring a flashlight to explore the cave.

Etterzhausen robbers' den — Etterzhausen robbers’ den (Photo: RegensburgNow.de)

Bad Abbach: Animal enclosure in the spa gardens and mini golf

The spa park in Bad Abbach is a place for young and old to relax and meet, with many walking paths, a herb garden, arcades and a stream. Children will love the animal enclosure with goats, sheep, rabbits and donkeys, some of which can be petted and fed. Fallow deer and poultry can also be admired here.
Fun and games can be had on the fitness equipment, at the table tennis tables, on the mini-trampoline or at mini golf. There is also a playground and a kiosk with a terrace. If you want something a little quieter and are older, you can play big chess or boules.

Kurpark Bad Abbach
Kaiser-Karl-V-Allee
93077 Bad Abbach

Höllohe Wildlife Park

The Höllohe Wildlife Park is a nature experience for the whole family with almost 200 animals from around 21 species. Red and fallow deer, wild boar, goats, donkeys, ponies, pheasants, storks, snowy owls and numerous other species can be found in the spacious enclosures. You can also feed the deer, goats and sheep. Please buy suitable feed from the automatic feeders in the entrance area. The park is open daily and all year round, admission is free, only the parking lot is subject to a charge.

Höllohe Wildlife and Leisure Park
Höllohe 1
93158 Teublitz

Alpine climb

The beautiful Alpine Steig lies between Eilsbrunn and Schönhofen. Of course, it is not alpine there, but the unique rocky landscape is somewhat reminiscent of the Alpine foothills. Many protected plants and animals can be found in this nature reserve high above the Schwarze Laber valley. We started at the oldest inn in the world, the Röhrl restaurant in Eilsbrunn, which is a good place to stop for refreshments at the beginning or end of the short hike. If you turn left behind the restaurant along the little road “Am Alpinersteig”, a path on the right leads up to the Alpinen Steig. Follow the Jurasteig sign. From the summit cross at the Alpinen Steig near Schönhofen, you have a great view of the Jura landscape. A little further on, you come to the Naturfreundehaus Schönhofen. Here you can either turn around or take the lower Alpine path (blue rectangle) for the way back. The path is approx. 4.5 km there and back and not difficult to walk, but you should definitely wear sturdy shoes.

Donaustauf castle ruins

There are quite a few castles around Regensburg; for example, the castle ruins in Donaustauf are very close by.
The medieval Donaustauf Castle was first mentioned in a document in 1132. At times, the castle served as the residence of the bishops of Regensburg. In the 14th century, however, the bishop was forced to mortgage the castle due to financial difficulties. Take a look inside the Hunger Tower—that alone is an adventure. After the Swedes conquered Regensburg in 1633, the fortress was largely destroyed. Although the castle was still inhabited at times afterward, it fell into disrepair and was even used as a quarry. In 1812, the ruins passed to the Princes of Thurn and Taxis; today they are owned by the municipality of Donaustauf. With older children, you can easily cycle from Regensburg to Donaustauf along the Danube Cycle Path (about 12 km). By car, Donaustauf is accessible from Regensburg via the B 8 toward Straubing. In Donaustauf, a signposted path leads up the castle hill. Parking is available in front of the cemetery within the outer bailey.

Schulerloch stalactite cave

With a length of 420 meters, the Schulerloch is one of the longest caves in the Lower Altmühl Valley. It leads through large halls and spacious chambers to the special stalactite formations – such as the globally unique water basin (Becherstalagmite). Neanderthals are said to have lived here between 40,000 and 60,000 years ago, but finds confirm that people lived in the cave during the Neolithic and Bronze Age.

Schulerloch stalactite cave
Oberau 2
93343 Essing

Extra tip:

My sister had the game “Findebär” with her, a game that is perfect if the children get bored on a hike and at the same time promotes mindfulness. Findebär is a treasure hunt in nature for children and adults. You draw different cards and then have to find what is on the card. For example, something crooked or something straight, something that rustles, something that is square, something that is round or something that is red. A simple and fun game to make you aware of your surroundings and pay attention to small details.

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