The cycle path along the Danube is probably the most famous route in Europe, and certainly the longest; from Germany to Austria, then cutting out national borders between Slovakia and Hungary, Croatia and Serbia, Serbia and Romania, and then to the shores of the Black Sea, for a total of 1400 kilometers. 8 days from 815. The Danube Bike Path also winds its way through Austria, running parallel to the mighty river. Or taste a Wienerschnitzel (veal) with potato salad in a traditional inn. Shortly after Bad Ggging you reach the monastery Weltenburg. You spend the night in a cabin and enjoy the evenings on board relaxing the sun deck. What kind of travel insurance will cover me for cycle touring? Almost without gradients you cycle past picturesque natural landscapes, sun-drenched vineyards, mighty fortresses or romantic monasteries and pass through such beautiful cities as Ulm, Passau, Linz, Vienna and Bratislava. You can read World Nomads policy on cycling-related travelhere, but here are the basics: Lauren Pears is a freelance travel writer and blogger based in London. Discover the enchanting river landscape, picturesque villages, lush vineyards and countless cultural sites from the time of the Romans and Nibelungengau. Youll find plenty of hotels, guesthouses and pensions along the Danube Cycle Path. Download the Danube Cycle Path GPX track here. The first stopover is the KZ Gusen memorial. You drive past the city of roses Tulln, the castle Greifenstein and the imposing monastery Klosterneuburg. The Danube Cycle Path is the most popular holiday cycling route in all of Europe! Ill make a small commission atno extra cost to you. We include it in both our 4-day and 8-day tours. She's been travelling and hiking for over 20 years and has a goal of #104mountaindays this year, which you can follow on Instagram. The EuroVelo 6 which spans the entirety of Europe uses the Loire, Rhine and Danube bike paths to make up its route. On a city tour you can visit the largest medieval read more, Bike Touring Collection by .css-1btb7h2{border-radius:100%;display:inline-block;height:16px;overflow:hidden;width:16px;background-image:url(https://d2exd72xrrp1s7.cloudfront.net/www/1r/1rnidaxnl637p1o87b2ipg11mm38pu5a0v-uschwaebischealb-full/16feb42c39e?width=32&height=32&crop=true&q=70);-webkit-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;background-color:rgb(240,240,240);margin-right:0.3em;vertical-align:middle;}Schwbische Alb, Bike Touring Collection by .css-12047of{border-radius:100%;display:inline-block;height:16px;overflow:hidden;width:16px;background-image:url(https://d2exd72xrrp1s7.cloudfront.net/www/1g/1gdjeeqwitx7o1lvlb9ly47hux4g7opugj-uradnetzdeutschland-full/185c9aecd73?width=32&height=32&crop=true&q=70);-webkit-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;background-color:rgb(240,240,240);margin-right:0.3em;vertical-align:middle;}Radnetz Deutschland, Hiking Collection by .css-18iuujr{border-radius:100%;display:inline-block;height:16px;overflow:hidden;width:16px;background-image:url(https://d2exd72xrrp1s7.cloudfront.net/www/4t/4t609kx3llp111jgdgj7azu5s21t48j9512670728-full/180b1b35017?width=32&height=32&crop=true&q=70);-webkit-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;background-color:rgb(240,240,240);margin-right:0.3em;vertical-align:middle;}visittirol, Bike Touring Collection by .css-1bd77j{border-radius:100%;display:inline-block;height:16px;overflow:hidden;width:16px;background-image:url(https://d2exd72xrrp1s7.cloudfront.net/www/gh/ghll3zxzji931y1ckv732po992i0d2c7u-u559474727941-full/188435a91e0/p?width=32&height=32&crop=true&q=70);-webkit-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;background-color:rgb(240,240,240);margin-right:0.3em;vertical-align:middle;}David Niederkofler. There are many architecturally interesting old buildings, lots of cafes and bars, cute budget hostels, and splure SPAs for those who want a real rest day. The Danube Cycle Path is the most popular holiday cycling route in all of Europe! Enchanting river landscapes, unique natural spectacles, impressive sights, a lot of culture and legendary history can be found on the cycle path through Germany's south, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. That's why her goal is to help 500,000 people this year on their hiking journey. It would take roughly 40 50 days to cycle the entire river, or about a month if you were really fit and could clock 100km per day. The ideal travel time for a cycle holiday along the Danube cycle path is from April to October. Fortunately, there are bridges and river crossings and we crossed the Danube almost every day. Danube cycle path - biking the Danube from Regensburg to Vienna A man coming out of the manhole and UFO sculpture are the classic photo spots. My main motivation for cycling the bike route was to prepare for my 1350 km cycling trip along the Iron Curtain Trail in Finland. This was a favorite of Austrian royalty and should be tried at least once for dessert, but it is huge, so perfect if youre really hungry, or to share. Guide books covering the German Danube If you plan to do a self-supported cycle tour, it will be crucial having a good map. Take time to visit one or the other from inside or outside. Die Deutsche Donau Those meet in the park of an ancient castle, where a fountain symbolizes the birth of the river. Of course you will not miss the most beautiful sections of the Danube on the route of our bike tours. Baroque architecture was another highlight for me. Easy Bike + Boat Tour in Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary. However, wild camping is prohibited inWesternEurope. If you choose a self-guided cycling tour, its available from near the end of March through to October 15th. The German Danube Cycle Route, which is part of the EuroVelo 6 European long-distance cycle route, ends in Passau. Ideally, you would want to cycle before the end of June, or alternatively, in September or October. Every day on the Danube offers something special. The Danube Cycle Path is one of the most beautiful cycle routes in Europe. Learn more about how we use cookies in our Privacy Policy. Germany and Austria are extremely well set up for cyclists. (as Amazon Associates we earn commission from qualifying purchases). You can decide for yourself which section is the most beautiful. Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full Tour below as a template. Would you have any information or tips on the best route? The first stopover is the KZ Gusen memorial. Pros: amazing . Well be coming from London. I think there are probably better trails for walkers to be honest. Despite the fact that its technically prohibited, most countries do have a relatively relaxed attitude to wild campers, and may or may not ask you to move on if youre caught. Characterised by gorgeous riverside cycling, this route will showcase energetic capitals Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade, characterful villages and towns, epic views of the Danube Bend, Wachau Valley, Djerdap National Park and so much more. The beautiful landscape kept me wanting to see more! A well-known German saying is Brigach und Breg bringen die Donau zuweg (Brigach and Breg brig the Danube along). Danube Cycle Path: Germany section - AllTrails I hope you dont mind, but I also added a section in the article directing people to your videos I think a lot of people will find them useful. Signs are displayed at every junction and are often also placed every few kilometres to confirm that you are still on the right path. It was one of my favorite places along the entire route. Nearby is also the castle of 972 and several other churches. Zweirad Ehrl: Situated at the edge of the old town north of the Danube, bicycles are available from 10 to 12 per day, open Mondays to Saturdays, e-bikes available (around 25 per day) Bike rental services in Passau .. can be found in the Austria section of this website: Bike rentals in Passau If you plan to cycle for two weeks or longer We didnt find particular information about bike rentals in Serbia and Romania, we figure you can find them in the main cities. As the second largest city of the Black Forest Baar district, it is easily accessible by train and thus a perfect starting point. On the way you should visit the Heuneburgmuseum in Hundersingen, where you will find numerous testimonies from the Celtic period. You should take a break at the bicycle station Mitterkirchen, where, Today's stage is one of the most scenic sections on the Danube. In addition to the old center, there are also several restaurants overlooking the Danube. If you do manage to get lost, you can simply find the Danube. The antique-looking building was built by King Ludwig I in memory of the battles won against Napoleon during the Wars of Liberation. 4.6 out of 5. Despite being the capital of Slovakia it will take a couple of hours to visit the historical city center. Youll find plenty of bike hire shops along the Danube, particularly in Germany and Austria. Vienna (2 nights) Tulln Krems Emmersdorf Bad Kreuzen/Grein Linz (2 nights) Ardagger Melk Mautern Tulln Vienna, Is this route doable? Im not a cyclist, but rather an avid hiker of caminos and long walks. A few factors to consider when planning your route: In most sections its possible to cycle on both sides, so you can choose a) the shortest route, b)the most scenic, c) the one with the best cycle path, d)the one that follows the river most closely, e) the one where the sites you want to visit are, f) the same side where your hotel is located. Towards Bratislava, the Danube becomes almost a lake and is populated by thousands of birds in the right season. This article was so helpful thank you so much. to find a roof and above all a shower. Danube Bike Path - Passau to Vienna Bike Tour - Tripsite Although that was initially my main motivation, I fell in love with the natural beauty of cycling the Danube almost immediately! Here is a suggested packing list for a Danube cycling trip. Camping options arent as abundant as you head further east, so you will need to plan your days when in Hungary and Serbia. From up here you have a wonderful view, The tenth day's stage comprises about 55 relaxed kilometers to go from Regensburg to Straubing. Of course, if you have the time, you could even cycle the entire length of the Danube bike trail. Id recommend a hybrid or touring bike. Spend one or two night before hitting the nest section of the Danube Cycling Path from Bratislava to Vienna. The cycle path along the Danube was one of the first river cycle paths and is still one of the most popular. Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places. Despite the gradients, you can cross the narrow valley by bike quite comfortably. The most famous bike route in Europe is the Danube cycle path. It must be said that routing is not really essential in some sections of the cycle path, for example in Austria and Germany, where signs are always present. Cycle touring is covered but the tour must be on one continent only no cover is available for intercontinental cycle touring. The trip lasts ~2:15 with 0-1 train change, depending on the train. This is where the famous river springs and made this town famous. During the early stages of the tour you will cycle through the riparian forests of the Danube floodplains and the Lobau. In Austria you cycle along the Danube from Passau to Vienna. If you are in Esztergom (Hungary) visit the. Historical sights await you read more, There are still 70 kilometers to go before you reach the Austrian capital on the sixth and last leg as the grand finale. Besides the numerous churches and historical monuments, it is home to interesting museums, one of them, if you are interested in the genre, it is theMummy Museum,265 eighteenth-century Hungarian mummies and their peculiar coffins, discovered in a crypt in 1994. It is located right along the bike path (GPS coordinates). I saw fellow cyclists in awe of this beautiful town as they went around. From the river's source in Germany down to the Black Sea it is about 1,800 miles. This section is part of the Euro-zone 6 that connects the Black Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, in France for a total length of 4400 kilometers. Hi Lauren, I have been reading your blog and loved your trip! This will help me to keep this blog running. The Austrian capital was the cultural and political centre of Europe in the 19th Century. This gives you an idea of just how much there is to see. The Serbian section is not quite as beginner-friendly as the route between Germany and Hungary, due to some big climbs, dirt paths and weaker infrastructure for cycling tourism. Here are a few options: Most travel insurance providers will only cover cycling if itsincidentalto your trip, i.e. The easiest and cheapest way is to take a regional train from Munich. Passau to Vienna is an absolute cycling classic. Its a town located in the Black Forest in Germany and runs 2900km through 10 countries to the Black Sea! Hence the Danube course runs in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Bratislava, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria. Welcome - Cycling the Danube cycle path A few years ago we cycled a part of the, We must admit that we liked much more the stretch traveled between Serbia and Romania we rode years ago. Bonfires are forbidden but tolerated in safe areas, be very careful though. The Danube Cycle Path also winds its way through Austria, running parallel to the mighty river. On it's way, the Danube crosses half of Europe. For the most part, we were able to find hotels, but it was a pain stopping at each one, asking if there was availability, and then seeing if the price was within our budget. Here is an ideal 6-day itinerary for cycling from Passau to Vienna. The Danube Cycle Path from Donaueschingen to Budapest, Bike Touring Collection by .css-1ry4g59{-webkit-appearance:none;-moz-appearance:none;-ms-appearance:none;appearance:none;background-color:transparent;color:var(--theme-ui-colors-secondary);display:inline;font-size:inherit;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1ry4g59:hover,.css-1ry4g59:focus{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#0065b8;}Donauradweg, The Danube Cycle Path is one of the most beautiful cycle routes in Europe. Popular, beautiful section of the Danube Cycle Path near Donaueschingen, Baden-Wrttemberg. Because of this, most information online about the Danube Cycle Path focuses on Passau to Budapest only. Guide books & maps - German Danube - Cycling the Danube cycle path The richly decorated doors, bay windows and architectural treasures bear witness to the history of the former port city of Krems. This is followed by the open air museum Mitterkirchen, where you can immerse yourself in the world of the Celts. I cycled the Danube as part of a longer trip from London to Istanbul, so I cycled from my house in London then flew home from Istanbul at the end. Heres a list of interesting spots to visit along this section of the Danube, you can see their location in the map above. All rights reserved | Disclosure: some posts may contain affiliate links, Cycling the Danube from Budapest to Vienna, This section is part of the Euro-zone 6 that connects the Black Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, in France for a total length of 4400 kilometers. The cycle path runs mostly on flat terrain on asphalted and well-developed side roads. From Dillingen the tour continues to Donauwrth. Discover a wonderful landscape, picturesque villages and the numerous impressive sights of the Roman and Nibelungen times. Although Donaueschingen is only a small town, it is very important for the Danube region. Campsites - Germany - Cycling the Danube cycle path Campsites along the German Danube Km 4 - Pfohren Riedsee Camping: 1km away from the Danube, 1km west of Pfohren; address: Am Riedsee 11, 78166 Donaueschingen; map Km 71 - Hausen im Tal Not much remains of this fortress. So we separated those stages each and summarized the remaining part as 'further East' on this website (see top of this page). On the beautiful blue Danube- Johann Strauss appreciated this river so much he dedicated a waltz to it. The Danube is the second longest river in Europe after the Volga. The Danube cycle path is 2850 kilometres long. The Danube Cycle Route in Germany | Cycling Holidays And there are almost a thousand monuments to visit in Regensburg's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Danube cycle path is the perfect place for cycling holidays. Danube Cycle Path - Cycling Route - Bikemap Especially recommended is a visit to the famous monastery library. We slept at the cheap and coolKaleidoszkp Hz Hostel,very welcoming with kitchen available and internal parking for bikes. OK, this cycle route is an easy one. The three-river city is a worthwhile destination. Hi, it can be difficult to get bikes on trains but its possible if travelling during off peak hours. Is the Danube Cycle Path beginner-friendly? In Austria and Germany youll find many Warmshowers hosts, less so in Slovakia and Hungary. It sees up to 600,000 cyclists a year with the majority of those in July and August. These are some of myfavourite campsitesI stayed at along the Danube Cycle Path: If youre not familiar,Warm Showersis a free worldwide hospitality exchange for touring cyclists. We are a bunch of keen cyclist who would like to see more people cycling the Danube cycle path. Your email address will not be published. More information about YouTube's Privacy Policy can be found at: Privacy Policy, All information and tour tips for the most popular cycle path in Europe, "I am happy to answer your questions about the Danube Cycle Path and the cycling trips we offer along the Danube! Until finally the bishop residence Passau is reached, where Inn and Ilz flow into the Danube and offer a unique natural spectacle. The Danube Cycle Path is one of the most beautiful cycle routes in Europe. Your email address will not be published. Renting a bike is more expensive than taking ones own, taking the train with a bike is quite simple in many of the countries involved in the route so, if you plan to travel for a couple of weeks always on a bike, probably rental is not the best option. Not all of the following items are necessary, though it entirely depends on you. If you found this post useful, Id be grateful if you would consider using the affiliate links below when planning your travels. Very thoroghly covered. If possible, youll want to spend a few days exploring Vienna as well. The Danube cycle path is perfect for particularly special leisurely trip! Whether with apricot dumplings or wines you will be spoiled here in the numerous taverns and inns. Laurel Robbins is the founder of Monkeys and Mountains Hiking and Adventure Travel. Near the Ukrainian border plunges into the Black Sea, here the wonderful mouth of the Danube has been recognized, The Danube has been one of the most important connection for goods and people for centuries. A 20-meter high Trinity Column made from white marble stands in the main square. Danube Cycle Path | All information and tour tips | Eurobike The shortest and lightest section of the entire route gives time and again the view of the picturesque Danube meadows. One hotel that we stayed at in May was 80% booked for June already and fully booked for July and August. Passau to Vienna is the most popular section of the Danube Cycle Path. This makes it Europes second-longest river at 1,770 miles (2,850km) in length. On the way you should visit the Heuneburgmuseum in Hundersingen, where you will find numerous testimonies from the Celtic period. Thank you for your answer. For these reasons, they are excellent countries for a beginner looking to embark on their first cycle tour. Finally the city of Passau is reached, where the Inn and Ilz flow into the Danube and offer a unique natural spectacle. If youre just cycling the Danube, I found it easy enough to carry my own gear in two Ortleib rear panniers. Cycloscope is Daniele Giannotta and Elena Stefanin. In the summer months, it could be a bit more difficult as those who live along the river receive dozens of requests. I have an article about flying with your bike, which may be helpful to you: https://www.theplanetedit.com/flying-with-a-bike/. However, this baroque city is also a wonderful starting point for a cycle tour along the Danube. If you fancy a cycle tour through beautiful Austria, you're in luck. Ideally, you would want to cycle before the end of June, or alternatively, in September or October. My husband and I want to cycle the Danube from Vienna to Linz and back to Vienna. Donaueschingen to Passau - Cycling the Danube cycle path