Down into the Tauber Valley and the Double Bridge

What it is

Rothenburg stands on a spur, and at its foot the River Tauber runs through a green valley of mills, orchards and meadows. Going down into the valley is the way to see the town from outside, with the whole wall on the hillside. The signposted W3 route, "Little Tauber Valley Excursion", is one of the 13 circuits that the town maintains: 4.1 km, an hour and a half, 155 m of ascent and easy difficulty. It leaves the Marktplatz, goes down through the Kobolzeller Tor, passes under the double bridge, follows the river to the Topplerschlösschen and returns via the Burggarten.

The route, step by step

1. Marktplatz. Leave the St George fountain (Herterichsbrunnen) towards the east along Hafengasse, and before the Markusturm turn through the lanes of the old town to the Faulturm, a former prison tower.
2. Outside the wall. A small door takes you out to the moat, with the fire pond. You follow the wall to the Siebersturm and go down steps above the Kobolzeller Tor, with the first view of the valley.
3. To the river. By the hillside path and then the W7 trail you go down to the church of Kobolzell, from 1472, and pass under the double bridge, from about 1330. The trade route from Augsburg to Würzburg crossed it; blown up in the Second World War, it was rebuilt as it was.
4. Along the Taubertalweg. You cross the Tauber on the road bridge, with a view of the town, and continue downstream along the Taubertalweg. It is a road with some traffic: keep to the edge and take care. You pass the old rock cellars, where ice from the river was stored to cool beer, and several mills with information panels.
5. The Topplerschlösschen. The tower house of 1388 built for Mayor Heinrich Toppler, on its narrow base. It can be visited; ask for opening times at the tourist office.
6. The climb. Past the Fuchsmühle mill (342 m, the lowest point), you cross the river by the Wackelbrücke and climb the steep Eselssteige, up the south face of the old castle, to the Burggarten. From the Burgtor, Herrngasse takes you back to the Marktplatz.

Outside the old town, the route is signposted with the W3 sign. On the town's website you have the PDF leaflet and the track for your phone.

When to go

It is a route for all year, but it looks best from spring to autumn, with the valley green. In winter, the Eselssteige is not salted: in ice, climb by another path or do the circuit in reverse with great care.

Difficulty, children and dogs

It is easy, but with two things to bear in mind: the final climb is short and very steep, and one stretch is along a road. With children who can walk it is a good hour-and-a-half walk; with a pushchair, the Eselssteige and the steps of the Kobolzeller Tor make it very difficult. Dogs can go; keep yours on a lead on the road stretch.

Water, food and alternatives

Carry water. If you want to stop, from the Burggarten a path of about 20 minutes leads to Detwang, with the open-air beer garden Unter den Linden beside the Tauber and the village church, with an altarpiece by Tilman Riemenschneider. It is route W1, Detwanger Weg: 3.5 km and an hour and a half from the Marktplatz. For something longer, the W2 follows the Tauber mills for 11.1 km.

Combine the walk with the Plönlein, which you pass at the start, and with the town wall.