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Cycling break by the river with a view of Ulm's old town and cathedral

Donaueschingen – Donauwörth

Along the German Danube

8 Days / 7 Nights
Medium
Cycling break by the river with a view of Ulm's old town and cathedral

The eight-day cycle tour from Donaueschingen to Donauwörth offers a journey through both beautiful and untamed landscapes. As you traverse the Baar plateau, you are surrounded by the Black Forest and the Swabian Alb. Culture and history await you at your overnight accommodations, especially in Ulm with its imposing cathedral, which is certainly deserving of an extensive exploration tour.

The Danube winds its way 2,850 kilometers across Europe, beginning at its source in Donaueschingen. Your journey starts by cycling through the Baar region to Immendingen, where the river disappears into the limestone, and continues on to Mühlheim and Sigmaringen. Along the way, Zwiefalten and Obermarchtal feature monasteries that are well worth a visit.

In the Swabian Alb, you will reach the Blautopf, an incomparably beautiful, turquoise-blue karst spring with an adjoining cave system. Ulm is the first in a series of historic towns, followed by Elchingen, Günzburg, and Lauingen. The final stage takes you gently downhill to Donauwörth, where your journey concludes in the former trading town of the Fugger family.

  • The castle spring in Donaueschingen: You'll quickly discover the tranquil and picturesque charm of the city where the Danube originates. Renowned worldwide for this distinction, it's no wonder, given that one of Europe's mightiest rivers begins here. A visit to the source is highly recommended, particularly because it's located near the Prince-Bishop's Palace, which features a stunning park.
  • The world's tallest church tower: Ulm offers an incredible array of sights to explore. Foremost is the Gothic Ulm Minster, boasting the world's tallest church tower. The historic fishermen's quarter, adorned with charming timber-framed houses, along with the ornate facade decorations of Ulm Town Hall, are must-sees. Additionally, the idyllic Botanical Gardens are well worth a visit.
  • Royal flair at Sigmaringen Castle: The castle serves as the residence of the Princely House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, showcasing its baroque architecture, splendid interiors, and rich history. Open to visitors, the castle offers guided tours (included) through its impressive rooms, castle chapel, and magnificent gardens.

Each day, you'll cover between 40 and 70 kilometers along the Danube, with almost always the option to choose between taking a picturesque detour or reaching your destination earlier. The first two segments are somewhat challenging, but afterward, it gets easier as you mostly roll along flat stretches. Our on-site team will, of course, take care of your luggage.

With this cycling tour, you'll cover the first section along the Danube Cycle Path – but there's so much more to explore! We've dedicated routes through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary to this cycling classic.

Itinerary at a glance

Follow the Danube along limestone cliffs, through the Danube Gorge, and past Zwiefalten Monastery. In Donaueschingen, you visit the residence before departure, and in Ulm, the world's tallest church tower awaits you.

The Brigach and Breg Black Forest rivers join to form the Danube near the town. The Fürstenberg castle built in the Belle Epoch style is a testament to the importance of the Fürstenberg family.

The first stage leads you through the so-called “Baar“ landscape. In Immendingen you will be able to visit an important natural phenomenon: the sinking of the Danube. Here the river disappears beneath the porous chalk rock for the majority of the year to flow into the Rhine.

Today you cycle through the Danube breach. Between Friedingen and Beuron you won’t be disturbed by the noise of cars or trains and the archabbey invents for a rest. The castle in Sigmaringen is still inhabited where you can have a guided tour.

You will cycle along the Danube until you reach the village of Zwiefalten with its beautiful abbey. In Obermarchtal you will see the oldest Baroque church in Upper Swabia.

Behind the monastery of Blaubeuren you will find the famous Blautopf. Medieval castles and ruins accompany you along the Blau until you reach the Swabian-Bavarian double city of Ulm with the highest church tower in the world.

Between Ulm and Dillingen you will pass village after village which are all beautifully well kept. In Elchingen you can visit the pilgrimage church, Günzburg offers visitors the Church of Our Lady in Rococo style.

The villages are mainly located somewhat off the beaten track on hills protected from the river floodwaters. Those who wish can take a break in one of the well-maintained villages. The old imperial city of Donauwörth, located at the mouth of the Wörnitz River, was once a key crossroads on the most important trade route between Nuremberg and Augsburg.

After breakfast you may return home or extend your stay.

Itinerary at a glance

Follow the Danube along limestone cliffs, through the Danube Gorge, and past Zwiefalten Monastery. In Donaueschingen, you visit the residence before departure, and in Ulm, the world's tallest church tower awaits you.

The Brigach and Breg Black Forest rivers join to form the Danube near the town. The Fürstenberg castle built in the Belle Epoch style is a testament to the importance of the Fürstenberg family.

The first stage takes you on a brisk ride through the landscape known as the ‘Baar’ to Immendingen. This is where the Danube sinks. There, the Danube sinks completely into the limestone rock on around 155 days a year and flows southwards through an underground cave system to the Aachtopf, Germany's largest spring. Near Tuttlingen, the valley slowly narrows, and it is not far to your destination.

The limestone cliffs between which the river and cycle path meander are over 100 metres high. Time and again, you can spot an old castle, or what remains of it today, perched high on the towering cliffs. In Sigmaringen, there is another magnificent castle to discover: Hohenzollern Castle is still inhabited by the princely family today and offers an interesting guided tour.

Follow the course of the river at a leisurely pace until just past Hundersingen, where you should definitely stop at the Heuneburg Open Air Museum to immerse yourself in the world of the Celts. At today's destination, Obermarchtal, a baroque gem awaits your visit – the former monastery is open to the public.

Behind the monastery of Blaubeuren you will find the famous Blautopf. Medieval castles and ruins accompany you along the Blau until you reach the Swabian-Bavarian double city of Ulm with the highest church tower in the world.

Between Ulm and Lauingen, there is a string of small towns, all beautifully preserved and located slightly away from the river on flood-proof hills. Lauingen is also known as the town of towers.

The villages are mainly located somewhat off the beaten track on hills protected from the river floodwaters. Those who wish can take a break in one of the well-maintained villages. The old imperial city of Donauwörth, located at the mouth of the Wörnitz River, was once a key crossroads on the most important trade route between Nuremberg and Augsburg.

After breakfast you may return home or extend your stay.

Difficulty Level

Medium

The first two stages are a little bit hilly, afterwards mostly flat.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Our Rental Bikes

The different types of rental bikes at a glance

Unisex Rental Bike - Symbol photo
Unisex bike

High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry

Available gear options can be found in the price table

Men's Rental Bike - Symbol photo
Men's bike

High-quality men's touring bike with classic diamond frame

Available gear options can be found in the price table

Renatl bike PLUS - Symbol photo
Rental Bike PLUS

Sportier, lighter and more precise premium rental bike with men's or unisex frame

Available gear options can be found in the price table

 

E-Bike rental bike - Symbol photo
Unisex Electro bike

High-quality unisex electric bike with comfortable low entry

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in hotels, inns and guesthouses at 3***-level
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish)
  • 1 Entrance Castle Sigmaringen with Audio-Guide
  • GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance
  • Transfer in a minibus every Sunday morning, EUR 99 per person, for your own bike additionally EUR 39, reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Donaueschingen train station
  • Zürich, Stuttgart, Basel, Karlsruhe or Frankfurt a.M. airport
  • Free public parking spaces

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in hotels, inns and guesthouses at 3***-level
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Travel documents package incl. GPS-data and route book, 1x per room
  • 1 Entrance Castle Sigmaringen with Audio-Guide
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

 

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance
  • Transfer in a minibus every Sunday morning, EUR 99 per person, for your own bike additionally EUR 45, reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Donaueschingen train station
  • Zürich, Stuttgart, Basel, Karlsruhe or Frankfurt/Main airport
  • Free public parking spaces

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.
Paula Plafinger

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Paula Plafinger
Travel Specialist
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