The German Danube

Donaueschingen - Passau

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Itinerary

Please note: You can only take part in this trip if you are vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19!
As of Oct 2022, subject to change.

Feel save, book flexible: FREE rebooking up to 6 weeks prior arrival to any alternative date in 2021 - applies to bookings between May 01 and June 15 2021 , the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

Rebooking FREE OF CHARGE until 28 days prior tour start; valid for all new bookings between May 01 and ***September 15 2021***. Valid for all tour-dates 2021 – the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

The German Danube Cycle Route is a breathtaking route that takes cyclists along the entire course of the Danube in Germany. From Donaueschingen, where the Brigach and Breg rivers meet, to the Austrian border near Passau, you’ll cycle across southern Germany. On each stage, explore the variety of charming villages, picturesque towns, and historic landmarks.

The first two stages of the bike trail are slightly hilly, but after that the trail is mostly flat, making it well suited for inexperienced cyclists. The flat route allows you to enjoy the ride and admire the scenery as you ride along the banks of the Danube. Off the route, the German Danube Cycle Path offers numerous opportunities to sample regional cuisine and local specialties. Enjoy typical southern German dishes and refreshing beers in cozy inns. A real cycling pleasure!

Route

Tour profile/ Level 1-2:

The first to sections are slightly hilly, then the route follows a more level profile. Some longer sections are also along compressed earthen paths, with some short sections running along forest paths. A few sections of the route are along quiet or quite busy roads. The villages are often located in elevated positions safe from the river floodwaters.

Day 1: Donaueschingen

Individual arrival. The Romans considered the spring in the parkland of Castle Fürstenberg to be the start of the Danube. The castle, in the style of the Belle Epoque, is an impressive testimony to Fürstenberg Family’s former significance.

Day 2: Donaueschingen – Mühlheim/Fridingen, approx. 45-50 km

You cycle to Immendingen with the Danube sinkhole, where the river disappears into porous limestone ground for the majority of the year. Instead of flowing into the Black Sea, part of the Danube flows via the Aachtopf, Lake Constance and the Rhine into the North Sea. In Tuttlingen the valley gets narrower.

Day 3: Mühlheim/Fridingen – Sigmaringen, approx. 45 km

The river flows between high limestone rocks and you cycle mostly right along the shore. Every once in a while you will spy castles or ruins perched on top of the rocks. In Sigmaringen the historic Hohenzollern Castle awaits you. It is still home to the Hohenzollern family today.

Day 4: Sigmaringen – Riedlingen, approx. 35 km

Leisurely you follow the course of the river until shortly after Hundersingen, where you should definitely make a stop at the open-air museum Heuneburg to immerse yourself in the world of the Celts. Shortly before your stage destination Riedlingen, you will pass the Historical Hanging Garden of Neufra. If open, it’s worth a visit!

Day 5: Riedlingen – Ehingen, 40 km

Passing Zwiefaltendorf Castle, you will reach Obermarchtal Monastery. Via the small town of Munderkingen with its well-preserved half-timbered houses and its parish church of St. Dionysius from the 13th century, you will reach the pretty market town of Ehingen.

Day 6: Ehingen – Ulm, approx. 35-40 km

Today you cycle through the valley of the Urdonau to Blaubeuren with the famous Blautopf, a strong karst spring and the beginning of a large cave system. Your destination is Ulm with the highest church tower in the world, from which you have a magnificent view. Be sure to also take a tour of the historic fishermen’s quarter. Among other things, you will find here the most crooked hotel in the world.

Day 7: Ulm – Lauingen, approx. 50 km

Today‘s section features a succession of little towns, one prettier than the next. You pedal away from the river to raised ground, safe from flooding. Lauingen is known as the town of towers.

Day 8: Lauingen – Donauwörth, approx. 45 km

Most of the towns here are away from the river on raised, flood-safe ground. Cycle at a leisurely pace through the Danube meadowland to Donauwörth, situated on the mouth of the Wörnitz. One of the key trade routes between Nuremberg and Augsburg crossed the Danube here.

Day 9: Donauwörth – Ingolstadt, approx. 60 km

You cycle along well-established paths through the foothills of the Franconian Alb to Neuburg, where we can recommend taking a stroll through the charming old town or a visit to the castle, towering magnificently over the town. Today‘s destination is Ingolstadt with its old fortifications. It is also where the Bavarian Purity Law for beer was passed over 500 years ago.

Day 10: Ingolstadt – Abensberg/Bad Gögging, approx. 40 km

You cycle through the Danube floodplains, mostly directly along the river, to Bad Gögging. From here it is only a few kilometers to Abensberg. The small town has a lovely renovated historic old town. You should not miss the beer garden of the Hundertwasser brewery Kuchlbauer!

Day 11: Abensberg – Regensburg, approx. 55 km + boat trip

Along the Abens and then the Danube you cycle to the Weltenburg monastery, where a very special natural spectacle awaits you: the Danube breakthrough, where the Danube has carved its way through a massive Jura rock. But be sure to fortify yourself in the monastery’s beer garden before taking a boat through the Danube breakthrough to Kelheim and from there on to Regensburg.

Day 12: Regensburg – Straubing, approx. 55 km

The Danube curves its way gracefully through the wide expanse of the countryside and you cycle alongside. Take a short break at Walhalla, which King Ludwig I had built, before setting off for today‘s destination at Straubing, the capital of the „Gäuboden“ region. Every year in summer, the popular Gäubodenfest is celebrated here.

Day 13: Straubing – Deggendorf, approx. 40 km

Soon after setting off, you reach Bogen, which is famous for the finding of a statue of the pregnant Madonna. Continuing on you go through Pfelling and Mariaposching to finally arrive at the gate to the Bavarian Forest: Deggendorf, Gothic and Baroque characterise the old town.

Day 14: Deggendorf – Passau, approx. 55 km

Today‘s route includes the small historic town of Vilshofen, which you might have heard of in connection with the CSU Chairman, politician Strauss‘ Ash Wednesday speech. You will soon reach your destination of the three-rivers-town and former diocesan town of Passau. Let your tour come to a pleasant end with a walk through the old town.

Day 15: Passau

Individual departure or extension

Services

  • 14 overnight stays

  • Daily breakfast

  • Luggage transport

  • Entrance Sigmaringen Castle (including audio guide)

  • Entrance Museum Mobile Ingolstadt

  • Boat trip Weltenburg – Kelheim incl. bike

  • Maps and information material per room

  • Service Hotline 7 days

Our tip: Get your eSIM for a low-priced holiday-data package here

Dates & Prices

daily arrival possible

Dates

Merkmale

Season / Period
Type
S1   05.04. - 05.04.25
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S2   06.04. - 11.04.25
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S3   12.04. - 20.04.25
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S2   21.04. - 25.04.25
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S3   26.04. - 03.05.25
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S2   04.05. - 09.05.25
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S3   10.05. - 23.05.25
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S4   24.05. - 21.06.25
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S3   22.06. - 04.07.25
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S4   05.07. - 23.08.25
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S3   24.08. - 20.09.25
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S2   21.09. - 11.10.25
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S1   12.10. - 12.10.25
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Extras

Discounts extra bed in double room with 2 full paying adults
14-17,99 years -25%
      This tour is recommended for children 12 years and up  
 
Bicycles & equipments
8-speed-bike (back pedal brake) / 10-speed-bike 99
E-bike 269
Children bike 49
   
Additional nights
Donaueschingen (dbl/sgl) 55/85
Passau (dbl/sgl) 69/109
Abensberg/Bad Göggingen (dbl/sgl) 59/99
Deggendorf (dbl/sgl) 75/109
Donauwörth (dbl/sgl) 55/85
Ehingen (dbl/sgl) 55/85
Ingolstadt (dbl/sgl) 65/95
Lauingen (dbl/sgl) 55/85
Mühlheim (dbl/sgl) 59/89
Regensburg (dbl/sgl) 59/99
Riedlingen (dbl/sgl) 55/85
Sigmaringen (dbl/sgl) 69/99
Straubing (dbl/sgl) 59/99
Ulm (dbl/sgl) 69/99

Best - Price - Guarantee

If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!
All prices per person in EUR

Accommodation




Hotel samples

Overnight stays in family-run guesthouses and hotels of the local 3* category; all rooms with shower/bath and WC.

Donaueschingen: Hotel zum Hirschen
Mühlheim/Fridingen: Hotel-Gasthaus Sonne
Sigmaringen/Scheer: Hotel-Restaurant Donaublick
Obernarchtal/Ehingen: Gasthof zum Ochsen
Ulm: Hotel am Rathaus
Lauingen/Dillingen: Hotel Kannenkeller
Donauwörth: Hotel Donau
Ingolstadt: Altstadthotel
Bad Gögging: Altstadthotel Kneitinger
Kelheim: Gasthof weisses Lamm
Regensburg: Hotel Münchner Hof
Straubing: Hotel Theresientor
Deggendorf: Hotel-Gasthof Höttl
Passau: Hotel Residenz

Note: Please be informed that these are hotel samples and therefore subject to alteration! Find Your final hotel bookings at Your hotel list after/at booking.

Bicycle




Bicycles inclusive panniers

We rent comfortable unisex bikes in a variety of frame sizes to our guests, also men’s bikes from a body height of 1,75 m. All bikes are fitted with panniers, handlebar bag incl. map compartment, cyclometer, bike lock and repair kit.

Available for rent:

  • 8 speed bike (back pedal brake)
  • 10 speed bike (free wheel)
  • E-Bike
  • Children bike (20-, 24-, 26-Inch)

E-bikes | Pedelecs

For people who would like to have the support of a motor when they’re out and about, then we can recommend our stable and reliable e-bikes; Swiss and German quality brands. The bikes have 8 gears and free-wheel. The deep step-through frames and upright sitting position make sure that you really enjoy your cycling.

Useful

Arrival - Parking - Departure

Arrival by plane

Airport: Zürich (ZRH), Stuttgart (STR), Strasbourg (SXB)

Train connections with 1-3 changes from Zürich airport to Donaueschingen (approx. 2,5-3 h)
From Stuttgart airport you can go to Donaueschingen by train with 2-3 changes (approx. 2,5-4 h)
From Strasbourg airport there are train connections with 2 changes to Donaueschingen (approx. 2,5 h)

Arrival by car

Parking: parking place "an der Stadtmühle", near the "Realschule" or the "Fürstenberg Gymnasium" (for free, no reservation possible). Occasionally parking spots available in your starting hotel for a surcharge (details on your travel documents)

Arrival by train

Train station: Donaueschingen
From the train station you can take a taxi or a bus to your first hotel (approx. 1-4 km). You will receive a detailed description with the travel documents.

Train connections from Passau to Donaueschingen with 2-3 changes (travel time approx. 6-8 h. Bookable individually via www.bahn.de).

Additional information

Triples: Please note that triples can only be booked for max. 2 adults. Triples often are double rooms with extra bed (which might be folding or sofa beds).

City or visitor’s tax, if payable, is not included in the travel price.

Videos

Travel stories

5,4 of 6 Stars | 8
We enjoyed this trip very much.To see the source of the Danube, how it disappears and sources again. We believe this is a genuine paradise for geologists and a privilege for visitors...E.V. 08/17
5,7 13.07.2024 | Stephen P. The German Danube

Chasing the Donau

Despite the flooding of the Danube and the collapse of DB service schedule we had a great time.
  • Overall satisfaction 5
  • Booking handling 6
  • Travel documents 5
  • Per-Tour information 6
  • Accomodation 6
  • Board 6
  • Luggage transport 6
  • Route description 5
  • On-site assistance 6
  • Route-character 6
  • Bicycle + equipment 5
  • Price-performance ratio 6
more
5,0 16.06.2024 | Stuart G. The German Danube

Upper Danube Bicycle Tour

We enjoyed the tour. However there was flooding in South Germany and this impacted our enjoyment. We could only ride 9 days and then abandoned our bikes and finished the tour by train. Obviously this could not be helped. However we were very disappointed ...
  • Overall satisfaction 5
  • Booking handling 5
  • Per-Tour information 6
  • Accomodation 5
  • Board 5
  • Luggage transport 6
  • Route description 6
  • On-site assistance 3
  • Route-character 3
  • Bicycle + equipment 6
  • Price-performance ratio 5
more
5,8 20.09.2023 | Martin W. The German Danube

Wonderful tour!

The tour was excellent - we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The hotels were all very comfortable with copious and delicious breakfasts, the hotel staff were unfailingly polite and helpful, baggage transfers were efficient (usually early), and there were ...
fae_foto_83_2023_09_20_08_59_55_960415334.jpg fae_foto_84_2023_09_20_08_59_56_69909479.jpg
  • Overall satisfaction 6
  • Booking handling 6
  • Travel documents 6
  • Per-Tour information 6
  • Accomodation 6
  • Board 6
  • Luggage transport 6
  • Route description 5
  • On-site assistance 6
  • Route-character 6
  • Bicycle + equipment 5
  • Price-performance ratio 5
more
5,4 17.09.2023 | Paul G. The German Danube

The German Danube Donaueschingen to Passau

The Danube is a beautiful river with a fantastic cycling network. Landscapes, local culinary traditions and POI's made the trip a great experience. Quality bikes, detailed tour book and easy booking process were appreciated. Starting in Donaueschingen ...
  • Overall satisfaction 5
  • Booking handling 6
  • Travel documents 6
  • Per-Tour information 6
  • Accomodation 5
  • Board 5
  • Luggage transport 4
  • Route description 6
  • On-site assistance 6
  • Route-character 4
  • Bicycle + equipment 6
  • Price-performance ratio 6
more
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Miklos Krisch

Happy to advise you:

 Miklos Krisch

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+43 1 4053873 - 34
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