Day 1. Arrive in Donaueschingen on the edge of the Black Forest
and the source of the River Danube.
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Day 2. Cycle through the Swabian hills to the beginning
of the dramatic Danube Gorge, where the river cuts through the limestone.
End at Fridingen (about 32 miles).
Day 3. Today you cycle through the dramatic Danube Gorge. Pass limestone
cliffs en route to the fascinating old town of Beuron, dominated by the huge
Monastery. The gorge continues to impress as you cycle past bizarre rock formations
to Sigmaringen, where there is a fine palace (about 27 miles).
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Day 4. A day cycling past open hilly country of the Schwäbische Alb and the
town of Mengen to end at Obermarchtal (about 30 miles).
Day 5. First cycle to Munderkingen with its well preserved town centre, then on
to Ehingen, which has a number of ancient churches well worth visiting.
Then either cycle past castles to Blaubeuron. This is a busy tourist centre,
but with justification! The Blautopf Spring is an amazing sight, so called
because the water appears to be a striking blue colour. The Abbey is well
worth a visit too. From here the valley opens out, providing pleasant
cycling to the cathedral city of Ulm, where there is the highest spire
in the world and an attractive old town centre (about 40 miles).
Or cycle directly along the Danube directly to Ulm (about 33 miles).
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Day 6. Cycle through water meadows and past Günzburg,
an attractive small Bavarian town. Then via lakes and through open
countryside to Dillingen and its striking rococo palace (about 32 miles).
Day 7. Through farmland to Höchstädt and Blindheim,
the site of the Battle of Blenheim for which Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is
named. Continue through open country to prosperous Donauwörth. There is
much to see here.
Take the train (tickets are provided) to avoid the hills
between here and the stunning small town of Neuburg an der Donau.
After exploring Neuburg, high above the river, the route continues to
Ingolstadt, which, though a large town, is regarded as the home of Bavarian
beer and has many attractive buildings in the old centre (about 38 miles).
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Day 8. The final day takes you via medieval Vohburg and through
hopfields to Weltenburg. From here to Kelheim there is no path close to
the river, so most cyclists take the short, but dramatic journey by river
boat through the narrow gorge of the "Danube Breakthrough" to the confluence
of the Danube and the Altmühl at Kelheim (tickets are provided).
The climb out of Kelheim is steep and most people cycle no further than
the 4 miles to Saal. From here you can take the train (tickets are provided)
to end in Regensburg (about 31 miles).
If you want to cycle all the way to Regensburg, the final 13 miles is quite
easy cycling.
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