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!

Children and youth farm

The children’s and youth farm is located at Taunusstraße 7, in the north of Regensburg, and is a little oasis for children. The farm is almost like a farm, only a little smaller and in the city. Children learn a lot about animals and plants in a playful way, with guinea pigs and rabbits, chickens, ducks and pigeons, goats, sheep and a mini pig. All the animals can be fed, stroked and cared for by the children.
There is also a climbing tower, a teepee tent, a sandpit and lots of play equipment.
The educators at the children’s and youth farm offer a varied program and invite children to be creative – working with wood, sawing, drilling, hammering, mucking out stables, planting vegetables, cooking, baking, processing wool, carding, felting, spinning wool and much more. All free of charge – but donations are welcome. Open:
Wed & Thurs (from 7 years) 15.00-17.30
Saturday (all ages) 15.00-17.30 Regensburg Children’s and Youth Farm
Taunusstr. 5
93057 Regensburg

Children's and youth farm Regensburg — Children’s and youth farm Regensburg (Photo: RegensburgNow.de)

Robbers’ den near Etterzhausen

Halfway between Etterzhausen and Penk, above the Naab on the Jurasteig, there is a real robbers’ den! This cave was formed during the Jurassic period, when flowing water slowly dissolved the limestone from the rock and formed the cave. It was probably already used by the Celts and served as a refuge for some.
The cave was later a good starting point for raids due to the good view of the Naab. The cave is surprisingly large with a diameter of 24m and a height of 7m. At the end of the 18th century, the cave entrance was widened and a staircase was built into the cave. It is open to the public. From Etterzhausen station, take the so-called station footpath to Nürnbergerstrasse, turn right, cross the road and turn left again into Amberger Strasse. From there, turn left onto Bischof Rudolf Strasse, which leads into the forest and uphill directly onto the Jurasteig trail. From here, follow the hiking sign with the red rectangle (W15) and the Jurasteig sign. Later, the Jurasteig forks into an upper and a lower path, the lower of which is easier. Always following the red rectangle, you come to the robbers’ cave. At weekends, the cave is a popular place for parents with children. It is best to take a flashlight with you 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 several castles around Regensburg, for example the castle ruins in Donaustauf. The medieval Donaustauf Castle was first mentioned in a document in 1132. For a time, the castle served as the residence of the Regensburg bishops. In the 14th century, however, the bishop had to pledge the castle due to financial difficulties. Take a look inside the Hunger Tower – it’s an adventure in itself. After the conquest of Regensburg by the Swedes in 1633, the fortress was largely destroyed. Although the castle was still inhabited at times afterwards, it fell into disrepair and was even used as a quarry. In 1812, the ruins went to the Princes of Thurn und Taxis and are now owned by the municipality of Donaustauf. With older children, it is easy to cycle from Regensburg to Donaustauf on the Danube Cycle Path (easy approx. 12 km). Donaustauf can be reached by car from Regensburg via the B8 towards Straubing. In Donaustauf, a signposted path leads up the castle hill. You can park in front of the cemetery inside 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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