The German Danube

The German Danube

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15 Days From

$2590

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Tour Overview

The Danube, Europe's second longest river, courses through ten countries en route to the Black Sea. This expansive cycling tour leads you along the entire German Danube. From where the Brigach and Breg Rivers join in Donaueschingen to where the River crosses over to Austria near Passau, you will cycle through the entire breadth of Southern Germany. As the cycle path meanders alongside the river, pass by magnificent castles and monasteries and get to know the exciting cities of Ulm and Regensburg. The route is characterised by stunning natural vistas and numerous picturesque towns and villages. ...more ...less

Highlights

  • Cycling along the Danube through southern Germany

  • Experiencing the timelessness of the river landscape

  • Exploring Ulm and the three river town of Passau

  • Discovering the lively history of one of Europe's most important rivers

  • Visiting the open air museum in Heuneburg to learn about the Celts

  • Seeing the famous Blautopf limestone spring in Blaubeuren

  • Touring the inhabited castle in Sigmaringen

  • Taking a boat trip through the Danube breakthrough to Kelheim

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrive Donaueschingen

Location: Donaueschingen

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Individual arrival in Donaueschingen. The day is free to explore the town. The Brigach and Breg Black Forest rivers join to form the Danube in Donaueschingen, but even the Romans thought the source of the river was located in the park of the Fürstenberg castle. The castle, built in the Belle Epoch style, is a testament to the importance of the Fürstenberg family. It has an excellent natural history collection and houses many important paintings and sculptures from the modern period. Overnight stay in Donaueschingen. ...more ...less

Day 2 : Through The Baar Landscape To Muhlheim/Fridingen (45-50Km/28-31Mi)

Location: Tuttlingen

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Muhlheim or Fridingen

The first stage leads you through the so-called "Baar" landscape. In Pfohren a visit to the old Entenburg castle is worthwhile. In Immendingen you will be able to visit an important natural phenomenon: the sinking of the Danube. The river disappears beneath the porous chalk rock for the majority of the year and instead of flowing to the Black Sea flows towards Lake Constance and finally into the Rhein. After Tuttlingen the valley begins to narrow and follows the path the Danube has carved through the Swabian Alb. You will then reach the towns of Fridingen and Beuron, with its famous Benedictine monastery. Overnight stay in Muhlheim or Fridingen.

Day 3 : Cycle To Sigmaringen With Its Inhabited Castle (45Km/28Mi)

Location: Sigmaringen

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Sigmaringen

Today you will travel through the Danube opening which will probably be one of the most beautiful sections of your trip. The river and cycle path snake between towering chalk cliffs, many of which are crowned with castles or ruins on the way to Sigmaringen, the former capital town of the principality of the same name. The castle in Sigmaringen is still inhabited and houses a large collection of weapons where you can stop and have a guided tour. Overnight in Sigmaringen.

Day 4 : Continue Past Historic Villages To Riedlingen (35Km/22Mi)

Location: Riedlingen

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Riedlingen

A leisurely cycle today as you follow the course of the river until just after Hundersingen where you may take a break to visit the open air museum in Heuneburg to discover all about the life of the Celts. Shortly before you reach your overnight destination Riedlingen, you will pass the Historical Hanging Garden of Neufra. If open, it is worth a visit!

Day 5 : Cycle To The Pretty Market Town Of Ehingen (40Km/24.8Mi)

Location: Ehingen

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Ehingen

Passing Zwiefaltendorf Castle, you reach Obermarchtal Monastery. Continue along the Danube via the small town of Munderkingen with its well-preserved halftimbered houses and its parish church of St. Dionysius from the 13th century. Later you will reach the pretty market town of Ehingen where you hotel is located.

Day 6 : Cycle Past Medieval Castles And Ruins To Ulm (40Km/25Mi)

Location: Ulm

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Ulm

You will leave the modern Danube behind you today and cycle through the valley of the ancient Danube to Blaubeuren. Behind the monastery you will find the famous Blautopf, an amazing limestone spring which is the start of a large system of caves, where according to legend a beautiful nymph lived. 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. Enjoy this city at the end of your journey with its great shopping and metropolitan flair. Overnight stay in Ulm.

Day 7 : Via Interesting Villages And A Rococo Style Church En Route To Lauingen/Dillingen (50Km/31Mi)

Location: Lauingen

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Lauingen or Dillingen

Between Ulm and Dillingen you will pass village after village, located a little off the road and safe from the river floods which are all beautifully well kept. In Elchingen you can visit the pilgrimage church, Günzburg offers visitors the Church of Our Lady (Liebfrauenkirche) in Rococo style. Overnight stay in Lauingen or Dillingen.

Day 8 : Cycle To Donauwörth On The Mouth Of The Wörnitz River (45Km/28Mi)

Location: Donauwörth

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Donauwörth

Today you will cycle to Höchstädt with its castle of the Dukes of Pfalz from Pfalz-Neuburg. You will continue along good quality paths through the Donauauen. Today's destination is Donauwörth, picturesquely situated on the mouth of the Wörnitz, where the most important trade route between Nürnberg and Augsburg once crossed the Danube. Today the beautiful houses testify to the historical importance of the town. The Käthe-Kruse-Puppenmuseum (Doll Museum) is a treat for both young and old. Overnight stay in Donauwörth.

Day 9 : A Few Small Hills Of The Franconian Jura En Route To Ingolstadt (60Km/37Mi)

Location: Ingolstadt

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Ingolstadt

Today's route is along good quality surfaces. Just before Marxheim you will come to the foothills of the Franconian Jura which will introduce some small hills to your cycle. Don't miss a visit to the old town of Neuburg before continuing on towards Ingolstadt. The city is well known as the manufacturing site of Audi but it has much more to offer than just factory buildings. The Museum Mobile is worth a visit and you should take a stroll through the old town within the old fortified walls. Overnight stay in Ingolstadt.

Day 10 : Continue By Bike To Abensberg (40Km/25Mi)

Location: Abensberg

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Abensberg

You will cycle along the Danube today to Neustadt and further on through fields of hops to Bad Gögging. The Romans settled here and the excavated fort remains are a testament to this. 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 : Cycle To Regensburg, The Most Northerly Point Of The Danube (55Km +Boat/34Mi)

Location: Regensburg

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Regensburg

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 have a refreshment in the monastery's beer garden before taking a boat through the Danube breakthrough to Kelheim and from there on to Regensburg, the most northerly point of the Danube. The town is known as the best preserved city in Germany and has been declared a world cultural monument by UNESCO. Round off your day with a walk through the winding lanes of the Spital quarter. Overnight stay in Regensburg.

Day 12 : Cycle Past Wörth Castle To Straubing With Its Distinctive Tower (55Km/34Mi)

Location: Straubing

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Straubing

You should take your first break of the day at the Walhalla Temple near Donaustauf. The Temple is based on the Pantheon and was built by Ludwig I with construction finishing in 1842. Your trip then continues on along the Danube which curves along the broad, flat landscape in generous meanders. You will pass Wörth Castle and find yourself in the middle of the so-called “Gäuboden” landscape. Today's destination is the town of Straubing, which looks back on a Celtic and Roman past and has a distinctive town tower. Overnight stay in Straubing.

Day 13 : Cycle To Deggendorf, Gateway To The Bavarian Forest (40Km/25Mi)

Location: Deggendorf

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Deggendorf

Today you will firstly cycle through Bogen, which attained fame in 1104 when a statue of a pregnant Madonna was found. You will then continue on through Pfelling and Mariaposching and on to the Benedictine Abbey of Metten, before arriving in Deggendorf, the gateway to the Bavarian Forest. Gothic and Baroque architecture dominate the pear-shaped old town. Overnight stay in Deggendorf.

Day 14 : A Final Stage To The Three River City Of Passau (55Km/34Mi)

Location: Passau

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Passau

Your last stage leads you to the historical, little town of Vilshofen, which attained fame due to the Ash Wednesday talks which the chairman of the CSU party, Strauss held there. In no time at all you will reach your destination, the three-river city and former diocesan town of Passau. Take time to discover the Danube, Inn and Ilz on a boat trip and round off your holiday with a stroll through the old town or a visit to the Feste Oberhaus Fortress. Overnight stay in Passau.

Day 15 : Trip Concludes (Or Continue On To Vienna Or Budapest)

Location: Passau

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast the trip concludes.
Note: this itinerary can easily be combined with the Danube Cycle, which follows the Danube across three European borders to Budapest. Ask our staff for details.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    13 nights in 3 star hotels

  • 14 breakfasts

  • 14 nights in 3 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities

  • 27 speed rental bike with pannier, handlebar bag, lock, spare tyre and repair kit (e-bikes available on request - supplement applies). Children's bikes also available on request.

  • Luggage Transfer, no limit on bags, cannot weigh more then 20kg each

  • Entrance to: Sigmaringen Castle including guided tour and the Mobile Museum in Ingolstadt

  • Boat trip Weltenburg to Kelheim including bike

  • Information pack including route notes and maps per room booked & GPX Tracks

  • Emergency hotline - 7 days 8am to 8pm

  • Travel to Donaueschingen and from Passau

  • Meals not listed as included, drinks

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What's Not Included

  • Travel to Donaueschingen and from Passau

    Travel to Donaueschingen and from Passau is not included.

  • Meals not listed as included, drinks

    Meals not listed as included and drinks are not provided.

  • Travel insurance - mandatory

    Travel insurance is mandatory but not included.

  • Helmets

    Helmets are not available to rent or purchase and are not included.

  • E-bikes available on request - supplement applies

    E-bikes are available on request with a supplement.

  • Guide – this is a self guided cycling holiday

    A guide is not included as this is a self-guided cycling holiday.

  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room

    A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.

  • Entrance fees not listed as included

    Entrance fees not listed as included are not covered.

  • Transfers not listed as included

    Transfers not listed as included are not provided.

  • Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage

    Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage are not included.

  • Excess luggage

    Excess luggage beyond the included 20kg is not covered.

  • Hotel taxes if applicable – payable directly to the hotel

    Hotel taxes, if applicable, are payable directly to the hotel and are not included.

  • Items of a personal nature

    Items of a personal nature are not included.

  • Lunches, dinners and drinks

    Lunches, dinners, and drinks are not included.

  • Entrances to sights not listed in the itinerary

    Entrances to sights not listed in the itinerary are not included.

  • Tour guide - this is a self guided tour

    A tour guide is not included as this is a self-guided tour.

  • Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is not included.

  • Helmet

    A helmet is not included.

  • City or visitor’s tax (where applicable)

    City or visitor’s tax, where applicable, is not included.

Accommodation

13 nights in 3 star hotels
In Germany note that a twin room is not always associated with having two beds! Quite often a twin bed has one or two mattresses on the same bed frame but with two separate duvets. Sometimes there might be two beds positioned together, but they cannot be separated because of constraints of the room. Please accept our apologies for this, but having inspected many hotel rooms, there are not many twin rooms which have two separated beds, except in more modern or international style hotels. ...more ...less

Grading

GRADE 2 - This trip involves 13 days cycling a total of approximately 594km/369mi. Each day you cycle between 29 and 60km/18 to 37mi mostly along asphalt paths across generally flat terrain. 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. You need only carry your camera
ain gear and water bottle. Your luggage is transported for you between hotels/inns. The trip is graded introductory to moderate and is considered suitable for beginners and children who have a good level of fitness. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.
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What You Carry

During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of bike is provided for the tour?

    A 27-speed rental bike with pannier, handlebar bag, lock, spare tyre, and repair kit is provided. E-bikes and children's bikes are available on request with a supplement.

  • Is luggage transfer included in the tour?

    Yes, luggage transfer for one piece of luggage up to 20kg is included. A supplement applies for excess luggage.

  • Are helmets provided during the tour?

    Helmets are not available to rent or purchase and are not included. It is recommended to bring your own helmet.

  • What kind of accommodation is included in the tour?

    The tour includes 14 nights in 3-star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities. In Germany, a twin room may not always have two separate beds.

  • Is the tour guided or self-guided?

    This is a self-guided cycling holiday, so a guide is not included.

  • What should I carry during the cycling days?

    During the cycle day, you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone, and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.

  • What is the difficulty level of the cycling tour?

    The trip is graded introductory to moderate and is considered suitable for beginners and children who have a good level of fitness.

  • Is travel insurance included in the tour package?

    Travel insurance is mandatory but not included in the tour package.

  • What happens if I need assistance during the tour?

    An emergency hotline is available 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm for assistance during the tour.

  • How fit do I have to be?

    Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.

  • What happens if something goes wrong?

    On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.

  • I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?

    Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

James Livingston(Oceanside, California (USA))  

The German Danube

6 Oct 2021

My brother and I were very pleased and impressed by our experience with UTracks. No detail was left to chance, from the excellent quality of the bicycles to the superior standards of the hotels where we stayed. At the end of each day’s ride, our luggage was waiting for us, and almost always we were able to check in early. Without exception, the hotels were spotlessly clean and in the middle of the town’s historic center. The breakfast buffets were superb! The hotel staffs were unfailingly friendly and accommodating. In over 1,250 kilometers of combined riding, we never once experienced a flat tire or mechanical problem of any kind. We feel we got a great value for the money we paid. One of the most amazing and pleasurable experience in our lives...can’t wait till the next time! ...more ...less

P. McDonald(Sawtell, NSW)  

The German Danube

12 Jun 2019

The German Danube cycle tour is a great way to visit the German countryside. The bike tracks are very safe, sometimes sealed and sometimes gravel, but never difficult to ride on. The accommodation was excellent, as were the meals provided. The bikes and guide documentation were all first class. Note it does take a little while to learn to read the maps properly, but no issues. Would recommend to anyone looking for a slightly longer tour. ...more ...less

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

The German Danube

15 Days Starting in Donaueschingen and ending in Passau

Visiting: Donaueschingen, Tuttlingen, Sigmaringen, Riedlingen, Ehingen, Ulm, Lauingen, Donauwörth, Ingolstadt, Abensberg, Regensburg, Straubing, Deggendorf, Passau ...more ...less

Tour operator:

UTracks

Tour code:

UDU

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

introductory to moderate

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural, History

From: $2590 (USD)

NB: Prices correct on 28-Feb-2025 but subject to change.

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