Danube Bike Path - Donaueschingen to Ulm
Germany Bike Tours
Cycle along the Danube River, the most romantic river in the world!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length5–8 days
- Prices from€448 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
You have heard stories of the magnificent Danube river, now cycle it from where it begins! These bike tours start in Donaueschingen, where you will find the enclosed karst spring that is the source of the Danube. Continuing you will pass the Aachtopf, Germany's largest natural spring, as you make your way through the Swabian Alps on pristine bike paths.
During the second half of the week, you will cycle the Swabian Baroque Route, known for breathtaking nature and magical villages.
There is no shortage of castles to be seen on the Danube - every day you'll pass at least one or two! Depending on the tour booked, you will finish in Ulm, where you'll find a wealth of history and impressive architecture, or in historic Donauwörth on the junction of the Danube and Wörnitz Rivers.
Highlights
- Gothic Minster Tower in Ulm
- Swabian Alps
- Natural spectacle of the Danube sinkhole
- Blautopf (Blue Pot)
- Upper Danube Nature Park with the spectacular Danube Gorge
- Wildenstein Castle
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Itinerary
All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday.
Day 1: Donaueschingen
Day 2: Donaueschingen - Fridingen/Beuron, 31 to 27 miles (50 to 60 km)
Day 3: Fridingen/Beuron - Sigmaringen/Scheer, 19 to 34 miles (30 to 55 km)
Day 4: Sigmaringen/Scheer - Riedlingen surroundings,16 to 22 miles (25 to 35 km)
Day 5: Riedlingen/surroundings - Ehingen, 25 miles (40 km)
Day 6: Ehingen - (Blaubeuren) - Ulm, 22 to 28 miles (35 to 45 km)
Day 7: Individual departureDay 1: Donaueschingen
Naturally, the Danube tour begins at the Danube spring in Donaueschingen. This spring is located in the pretty palace park of the castle “Fürstlich Fürstenbergisches Schloss”. This castle's magnificent rooms and halls are well worth a tour. After checking into your first hotel, you are welcome to explore at your leisure!Day 2: Donaueschingen - Fridingen/Beuron, 31 to 27 miles (50 to 60 km)
You begin the day cycling along the young Danube to Fridingen. Here you will find the house of artist Scharf Eck, which was built on the former city walls. You will also see the famous viewpoint of Knopfmacherfelsen. The Danube winds through the rocks of the Swabian Alps and steep, white cliffs rise up the valley. Castles, forts, and ruins are situated on the beautiful riverbanks and in the hills just beyond.Day 3: Fridingen/Beuron - Sigmaringen/Scheer, 19 to 34 miles (30 to 55 km)
The bike trails continue beside the Danube, passing romantic mills and picturesque corners of the valley. Soon, Wildenstein Castle will come into view and just a little bit further you will pass Werenwag, the famous medieval musicians’ castle. Via Hausen im Tal, you continue to Sigmaringen. Here you can see one of Europe’s largest private weapons collection. Stroll through the historical town center or visit the local museum. You will spend the night in Sigmaringen or nearby Scheer.Day 4: Sigmaringen/Scheer - Riedlingen surroundings, 16 to 22 miles (25 to 35 km)
Today’s route starts in the lovely forests and meadows of the open countryside of the Danube valley. Scheer was an ancient settlement of the Celts and Romans. Via Mengen, one of the five Habsburg towns on the upper Danube, you make your way to Hundersingen. Don’t miss the Heuneburg Museum with the fascinating exhibit about Celtic settling from 600 – 400 b. C. The climb up to the museum is rewarded by a splendid view over the valley. You spend the night in Altheim or Riedlingen.Day 5: Riedlingen surroundings - Ehingen, 25 miles (40 km)
In the Middle Ages, Riedlingen belonged to the Habsburg Dynasty. Today, you will bike along a part of the famous Upper Swabian Baroque Route. With its storybook landscape and wealth of culture, it is no wonder this route has been a popular destination for 50 years! It winds through Upper Swabia and leads the interested traveler to many historical treasures. The old Zwiefalten Abbey is known as one of the region’s most beautiful churches, one look inside and you'll understand why. Continuing on, you'll encounter a short climb to Munderkingen before reaching Ehingen, where you will spend the night. With 5 local breweries, there should be no shortage of delicious beer to enjoy with your dinner.Day 6: Ehingen - (Blaubeuren) - Ulm, 22 to 28 miles (35 to 45 km)
There are two options for your journey to Ulm. You can either continue beside the Danube on the familiar bike trail or take the highly recommended route along the rivers Ach and Blau via Blaubeuren. Via Schelkingen, you continue to Blaubeuren which is home to the impressive “Blautopf” (Blue Pot). This beautiful spring is a peculiar blue color and has an incredible depth due to its funnel shape. Numerous legends and folk tales refer to the Blautopf. For example, it is said every time someone tries to measure its depth with a leaden sounding line, a water nix will steal it. Another popular legend states that the spring's color is a result of someone pouring a vat of ink into it daily. Your final destination is Ulm on the border of Bavaria. In the center of this town is the huge, Gothic Ulm Minster, a centuries-old church. Its steeple has views of the city and, in clear weather, the Alps (ascent of this tower is included).Day 7: Individual departure
Day 1: Donaueschingen
Day 2: Donaueschingen - Fridingen/Beuron, 31 to 37 miles (50 to 60 km)
Day 3: Fridingen/Beuron - Riedlingen, 40 to 47 miles (65 to 75 km)
Day 4: Riedlingen - Ulm, 45 miles (70 km [to Blaubeuren + 10 km])
Day 5: Individual departureDonaueschingen to Donauwörth (8-day)
Day 1: Donaueschingen
Day 2: Donaueschingen - Fridingen/Beuron, 31 to 37 miles (50 to 60 km)
Day 3: Fridingen/Beuron - Sigmaringen/Scheer, 19 to 34 miles (30 to 55 km)
Day 4: Sigmaringen/Scheer - Obermarchtal/Umgebung, 25 to 31 miles (40 to 50 km)
Day 5: Obermarchtal/surroundings - Ulm, 34 miles (55 km [to Blaubeuren + 10 km])
Day 6: Ulm - Lauingen/Dillingen, 31 to 37 miles (50 to 60 km)
Day 7: Lauingen/Dillingen - Donauwörth, 25 to 28 miles (40 to 45 km)
Day 8: DonauwörthView all our featured bike trips, specials, and news along with 100s of other bike tours in Europe.
Map
Hotels & Bikes
Accommodation in comfort category with breakfast in middle-class hotels or good to very good inns and guesthouses, mostly centrally located (category 3-star, partly also in 4-star)
Bicycles
Touring bike
Unisex frames suitable for ladies or men
- Upright but relaxed riding position
- 24-speed (freewheel) touring bike
- Aluminum frame
- Upright handlebar
- Comfortable saddle (different brands, partly gel saddles)
- Shimano gear change
- Flat pedal
- Mechanical or hydraulic brakes (depends on the bike)
- Rear rack
- Mudguard
- 28-inch wheels
Ebike
Unisex frames
- Upright handlebar
- 7-speed (stepless NuVinci-gear shift)
- Centrally located Bosch motor (400 Wh, engine torque 50 Nm)
- Bosch battery Power Pack, 36 V (reach approx. 80-100 km in Eco modus and on flat terrain, only in Turbo modus approx. 45 – 50 km)
- Comfortable saddle (different brands, partly gel saddles)
- Flat pedals
- Mechanical or hydraulic brakes (depends on the bike)
- Rear rack
- Mudguard
- 28-inch wheels
Accessories
- Odometer
- 1 waterproof Ortlieb pannier
- 1 handlebar bag (per room)
- Klick fix on all bikes
- Repair kit
- Lock for 2 bikes together (normal bikes)
- Lock directly on all E-bikes
Please note:
*Helmets are not included. You will need to bring your own.
*It is not possible to use one’s own pedals. The inch system of the American pedals does not match our metric system. The screw thread on the bike becomes damaged during modification, and road safety no longer exists. It is therefore forbidden to make modifications on one’s own. This will result in damage costs amounting to approx. €25,- per pedal, which, in the case of unauthorized modifications, must be invoiced.Inclusions
What’s Included
Donaueschingen – Ulm
- Accommodation for 6 nights
- Buffet breakfast
- Luggage transport
- 7-speed or 21/24 speed touring bike rental
- One pannier and one handlebar bag per room
- Route descriptions and maps
- Entrance fee to the cathedral tower Ulm
- GPS data on request
- Accommodation for 4 nights
- Buffet breakfast
- Luggage transport
- 7-speed or 21/24 speed touring bike rental
- One pannier and one handlebar bag per room
- Route descriptions and maps
- Entrance fee to the cathedral tower Ulm
- GPS data on request
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Luggage transport
- 7-speed or 21/24 speed touring bike rental
- One pannier and one handlebar bag per room
- Route descriptions and maps
- Entrance fee to the cathedral tower Ulm
- GPS data on request
- 7-day service hotline
- Bike protection
Donaueschingen - Ulm (shortened)
Donaueschingen – Donauwörth
All versions
What’s Not Included
- Transport to/from the start/finish
- Remaining meals
- Bus transfer Ulm - Donaueschingen or Donauwörth - Donaueschingen
- Visitors tax (payable on-site)
- Other entrance fees not mentioned
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
Please contact us for 2023 dates and prices.
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
Passing numerous castles, castles, monasteries, and churches, you cycle through mostly flat terrain on quiet side roads and cycle paths (largely asphalted). Only in the narrow Danube valley between Tuttlingen and Sigmaringen are you presented with gradients and gravel roads.
Airport Info
Fly into Zurich Airport (ZRH) and out of Munich International Airport (MUC).
Local Travel
Take the train from Zurich Airport to Donaueschingen. Total trip time is between 2 and 3 hours, with transfers possible. On departure take the train from Ulm to Munich. Total trip time is approx. 1 h 15 mins.
Climate
In Donaueschingen, the summers are comfortable, and it is partly cloudy year-round. Rain can be expected throughout the year, with increased rainfall over the summer months. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 26°F to 72°F and is rarely below 15°F or above 82°F. Please check the weather conditions prior to departure.
Remarks
Komoot navigation is available for your mobile phone. This is a perfect supplement to your travel documents. Maps are available at any time even without internet connection. Tour highlights are included.
Important to know
Travel documents
Before you travel, please check your country's passport and visa requirements and the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. For our other international clients, please be sure that you research your own country's travel requirements. It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure proper documentation.
*Important note: Beginning July 1, 2021, additional documentation from the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Velo Tours.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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