The German Danube Cycle Tour from Donaueschingen to Ulm & Regensburg 2008 | ||
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Our tour follows the River Danube from
its source at Donaueschingen. Lasting nine nights, with eight days cycling,
and explore the valley via the city of Ulm and ends in Regensburg.
The tour is only available starting on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. |
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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 Limestone hills to the beginning
of the Danube Gorge. End at Mühlheim (about 29 miles)
or 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 28 miles from Mühlheim, about 25 miles from Fridingen). |
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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. The first point of major interest is Zwiefaltendorf where there are a castle, a fine baroque church and a cave noted for its stalagmites. Continue to Munderkingen with its well preserved town centre and end the day at Ehingen, which has a number of ancient churches well worth visiting (about 14 miles). Day 6. 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 26 miles). Or cycle directly along the Danube directly to Ulm (about 23 miles). |
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Day 7. 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 36 miles). Day 8. 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 9. 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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