It sees up to 600,000 cyclists a year with the majority of those in July and August, it looked like a cycling holiday! This is where the whole cycling world meets. Take a visit to the well-preserved fortifications. | Suggest your service | Advertising | Media | Links | About Us (Imprint). The Danube cycle path starts in the German town of Donauschlingen. Gyr was one of the last outposts before Vienna so was a very important place during the Turkish wars. After 40 kilometers you reach your read more, On this stage of the Danube Cycle Path you leave the Upper Danube Valley and cycle 54 kilometers to Linz. It goes on partly steep paths along the Danube in the direction of Engelhartszell with its pretty Trappist monastery and its impressive collegiate church in Rococo style. Danube Bike Path- Regensburg to Vienna - Germany - Austria | Tripsite Take a stroll over the Silberzeile or visit the Bumsn tavern to eat a Bratl in der Rhein. Even today, the city is one of the most important industrial sites in Hungary. After cycling all day, the last thing I want to do is to try to find a hotel. Especially the part from Donauschlingen to Budapest is considered a well-developed cycle path. Moreover, in each country, the cycle route takes different names and acronyms: The Danube rises in the Black Forest, from the meeting of two streams, the Breg and the Brigach. Theyve been known to chase and even show aggression towards cyclists, so youll need to be cautious. It sees up to 600,000 cyclists a year with the majority of those in July and August. Hi Julie, Im so glad you found it helpful! Discover the enchanting river landscape, picturesque villages, lush vineyards and countless cultural sites from the time of the Romans and Nibelungengau. On the banks of the Danube, there are plenty of places to camp, in addition to equipped campsites you can camp freely along almost the entire route. Along the Danube - Four Country Tour. In Austria and Germany youll find many Warmshowers hosts, less so in Slovakia and Hungary. The Danube Cycle Path runs on both the north and south banks. The Austrian capital was the cultural and political centre of Europe in the 19th Century. Cycloscope is Daniele Giannotta and Elena Stefanin. Were thinking of ferry and trains not always easy to get bikes on trains though. It was a Roman military camp that served to protect this river crossing. Germany and Austria are extremely well set up for cyclists. Im not a cyclist, but rather an avid hiker of caminos and long walks. Of course! Whether with apricot dumplings or wines you will be spoiled here in the numerous taverns and inns. Then it goes on to Regensburg, known for its beautiful old town, which is a World Heritage Site. Would you have any information or tips on the best route? How to conduct your trip? Its a fantastic community cyclists offer to host other cyclists for a night. The Danube cycle path is the perfect place for cycling holidays. That article is really helpful. Vienna is a wonderful city, one of the most beautiful weve ever seen, there are so many things to see! Then you meet the magnificent Danube breakthrough at Kelheim or the northernmost point of the Danube. A few kilometers further, a romantic moated castle awaits, On the fourth stage from Obermarchtal to Ulm, you cycle straight ahead of the Danube. As a cyclist, you are most probably interested in the Danube's course through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. The Danube flows directly through the city and divides it into two parts. Take time to visit one or the other from inside or outside. Afterwards you will find all our bike &boat tourson the Danube. Naturally, the services and costs change according to the country you are in, in general: Keep in mind that renting a bike for one day is more expensive, usually, discounts are applied for longer periods. Most people just choose to cycle the section from Passau to Vienna or Vienna to Budapest. She's been travelling and hiking for over 20 years and has a goal of #104mountaindays this year, which you can follow on Instagram. City of Linz: Its the Upper Austrian capital, and was the European Cultural Capital in 2009. Also on the stage from Donauwrth to Passau about 300 bicycle kilometers are covered. Vienna is totally a bicycle-friendly city, the bike paths are everywhere and well designed. Any tips for us? This is one of the nicest spots in this section of the Danube, in our humble opinion. Its a town located in the Black Forest in Germany and runs 2900km through 10 countries to the Black Sea! The painting of Mary in heaven is on the altar and was painted by Michelangelo Grioletti. Historical sights await you, There are still 70 kilometers to go before you reach the Austrian capital on the sixth and last leg as the grand finale. The trip lasts ~2:15 with 0-1 train change, depending on the train. The Bratislava Castle, which was the original seat of the rulers and is now a city landmark, can be spotted from afar as you travel along the cycle path. Thank so much Kim. Bicycle rentals in Germany - Cycling the Danube cycle path And what to bring along? Plus, Vienna makes for a rather impressive finish. Copyright 2022 Monkeys and Mountains Adventure Travel | All Rights Reserved. Another small, untouristy, cozy Hungarian town worth a visit. Sights and scenery:The route will take you through some of Europes greatest cities and historical sites, as well as treat you to a variety of beautiful riverside views and picturesque towns. She's a sought out speaker at travel events and has spoken at ITB Berlin, World Travel Market, TBEX, Arival Travel and the Bansko Nomad Fest. On the Bavarian Danube from Regensburg, known for its old town, you can taste culinary delights. Learn more about cycling and camping in Slovakia. In the midst of the historic scenery, you can stop in the beer garden and order one of the self-brewed beers of the monastery read more, Before you go on the ninth stage from Kelheim to Regensburg, you should take a short hike to the Liberation Hall on the Michelsberg. Weve never taken our bikes on a plane. Recommended Reading: Bike Touring Gear List: The Essentials You Need to Bring. Take time to visit one or the other from inside or outside. Danube Cycle Path | All information and tour tips | Eurobike We started in Passau, Germany and 221 miles later arrived in Vienna, Austria. Day 1: Backa Palanka to Cortanovci (58km)Day 2: Cortanovci to Belgrade (70km)Day 3: Belgrade to Kovin (74km)Day 4: Kovin to Dobra (90km)Day 5: Dobra to Tekija (88km)Day 6: Tekija to Negotin (78km). You can take a break at the marble-clad Walhalla memorial, where well-known German personalities are immortalized. What kind of bicycle do I need? The 53 kilometers are good to drive. We are a bunch of keen cyclist who would like to see more people cycling the Danube cycle path. Most of the time, the cycle path runs directly along the banks of the Danube. From the source in Donaueschingen to the mouth of the Black Sea, the river meanders 2850km through Europe. If you have information please contribute in the comments section. Copyright 2023 Monkeys and Mountains Adventure Travel | All Rights Reserved. Where Wrnitz flows into the Danube is Donauwrth, also known as the Bavarian Swabian Donauperle. The Michalska brana (Michaels Gate), which is the only preserved gate of the city fortifications, is also worth a visit, theres also a well-known weapons museum here. Thats why I highly recommend booking in advance. The destination of this stage is Vienna. Stay in touch while we get lost! DANUBE CYCLE PATH Tips for planning your cycling holiday Learn more Danube Active Hiking, canoeing or boating on the Danube Learn more Discover the Danube Baroque village of Grein: I stopped for lunch here. Hi Angela! Danube Bike Path - Passau to Budapest Bike Tour - Germany - Tripsite We did it in 3 1/2 days. It offers local Wachau wines and regional specialities. Then we recommend a walk to the Veste Oberhaus, a fortress from the 13th century. Hence the Danube course runs in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Bratislava, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria. At the finish you should spend some time for the former imperial city with its many historical sights. Thanks for your support Lauren.Hotels Booking.comHostels HostelworldCheap flights SkyscannerTravel insurance World NomadsOutdoor gear Decathlon/GO OutdoorsCycling gear Chain Reaction CyclesAlternatively, you could buy me a coffee to say thanks! The German border town of Passau is also known as the Three River City. The Danube Cycle Path from Passau to Vienna is 324 kilometres long (201 miles), and takes the average person about 6 days to complete. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Its ~340 km long. From Salzburg you follow the Salzach River, then continue on the Inn cycle path and finally from Passau on the Danube Cycle Path. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. From my perspective, the weather in March can be unpredictable, so I personally wouldnt do it until mid-April. The global company Voesalpine AG has its headquarters in Linz, and offers visitors and insight into the world of steel production. Although Donaueschingen is only a small town, it is very important for the Danube region. At the end, The third stage in Austria leads to Linz from about 63 kilometers to Grein. The best time to cycle along the Danube is without a doubt the summer: in June, July and August, the longer and generally sunny days will also allow you to take a refreshing dip in the rivers waters. Wild camping shouldnt be a problem on theEasternpart of the route (Hungary onwards). The fishing district of Ulm Town Hall, the Wiblingen monastery or the Ulm City Wall will make you want to linger. I recommendWorld Nomads, whom I use for most cycling, backpacking and long-term trips. In the summer months, it could be a bit more difficult as those who live along the river receive dozens of requests. In the 1990s, thanks to the construction of a canal connecting the Rhine, in Germany, it became, We cycled from Hungary to Austria in the second half of October, the days were sunny and we met very little rain but in the evening it was quite cold, say around 5 or 6 degrees, so if you plan to sleep in the tent you need to be equipped with a, We have traveled this route in October and have never had any problems finding a room. In Austria, however, free camping is prohibited so if you dont want to risk being hunted in the middle of the night follow the general rules. Vienna (2 nights) Tulln Krems Emmersdorf Bad Kreuzen/Grein Linz (2 nights) Ardagger Melk Mautern Tulln Vienna, Is this route doable? From here you can take in a good view of the city. 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. The origin of the Danube lies in Germany, near Donaueschingen. Her travel writing has been featured in BBC Travel, BBC Earth, National Geographic, Forbes and many more. Arriving at the destination, you should take your time for the sights of, Through the Donau-Auen National Park, a true natural paradise, you cycle on the first leg from Vienna to Bad Deutsch-Altenburg. Highlights include the capital cities of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, the stunning Wachau Valley, the gloriously golden Melk Abbey, the Danube Bend and more. Alongside of the "blue" Danube lies the renowned and most famous cycling path in Europe. For instance, the princely Frstenberg Castle, or the colourful Art Nouveau buildings in the city centre. www.deutsche-donau.de, Route info: Although that was initially my main motivation, I fell in love with the natural beauty of cycling the Danube almost immediately! If you do manage to get lost, you can simply find the Danube. Our initial plan was to cycle to Budapest, but we ended up cycling the entire route in October 2022! Most farmers and villagers will happily let you camp on their land if you ask, and its also easy enough to find a quiet, secluded spot by the river. It was one of my favorite places along the entire route. Guide books covering the German Danube If you plan to do a self-supported cycle tour, it will be crucial having a good map. Slovakia and Hungary are also very well set up for cyclists, although signposting and road surface quality does start to decline a little bit. Additionally, we provide information that will help you arranging your bike tour. What does dotted lines represent? No matter if spring, summer or autumn, the Danube cycle path is always beautiful to ride and a very special experience in every season. Below you can see the track of the route, keep in mind that in some places you can also ride the cycleway on the other side of the river. Arriving at the destination, you should take your time for the sights of read more, Through the Donau-Auen National Park, a true natural paradise, you cycle on the first leg from Vienna to Bad Deutsch-Altenburg. Even tandems and recumbants are seen here regularly. Is the oldest city in Hungary, do not miss the cathedral, either from here or from the Slovakian side, especially in the evening, when it is lit. Danube Cycle Path: Germany section - AllTrails A carriage ride from St Stephens Cathedral on the ring road is recommended, because you pass many attractions such as the City Hall, the Vienna Orchestra and the Parliament. The first part of the Danube Cycle Path really has the makings of a quintessential European cycling holiday. 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 This is ideal for the Danube Cycle Path, as it stays in Europe only. Take the opportunity to have a boat trip and experience this spectacle up close. And there are almost a thousand monuments to visit in Regensburg's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Should You Book Accommodation in Advance? From 50 to 70 days of annual snowfalls are recorded at high altitudes in the Alps and the Carpathians, while the plains have only 1-3 days/year (from http://www.undp-drp.org). It attracts families, seniors, recreational cyclists, and serious cyclists alike! Hotels in Germany and Austria would often have signs outside to let cyclists know their bikes are welcome: Radfahrer Wilkommen.Booking.comhas the biggest selection of hotels if you prefer to book a day in advance which I recommend you do if youre cycling in the summer months. If you prefer the old style you can also resort to paper maps, we only found this on Amazon though they should be available in major cities libraries. Short detours are worth the Stillensteinklamm as well as the castles Persenbeug and Luberegg, Today you cycle about 55 kilometers from Emmerdorf to Wachau. 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 beautiful landscape kept me wanting to see more! Ideally, you would want to cycle before the end of June, or alternatively, in September or October. In Slovakia free camping is allowed, there are only a couple of rules to follow: The first rule means that you are not allowed to camp in the High Tatras, fortunately, there is a network of free huts particularly useful for hikers (it is not so easy to reach on a bike, I fear), some can be found here. Read also the travel storyfrom the cycle tour from Vienna to Budapest in our Cycling Blog. Well be coming from London. Can I hire a bike for my cycling holiday? This second part is a little more adventurous, thanks to weaker tourist infrastructure, particularly in Bulgaria and Romania. This bike and boat tour along the Danube River has proven year after year to be one of our most popular tours. On a map ive noticed two types of lines. Wachau region, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its wine and sometimes referred to as the. Especially recommended is a visit to the famous monastery library. Continue to the old town of Krems, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. The Danube is known as the "source of Europe" for very good reason! In Austria you cycle along the Danube from Passau to Vienna. Note: regional train tickets are only valid after 9:00 am, so be sure your train leaves at 9:00 or later. Guide books & maps - German Danube - Cycling the Danube cycle path The Cathedral of the Assumption and St. Adalbert is one of the largest churches in Europe. It goes on partly steep paths along the Danube in the direction of Engelhartszell with its pretty Trappist monastery and its impressive collegiate church in Rococo style. The antique-looking building was built by King Ludwig I in memory of the battles won against Napoleon during the Wars of Liberation. Youre likely to have warm, sunny days and can make the most of the long daylight hours. Set at the confluence of three rivers, there are many things to do in Gyor, a little city full of history. But in Ulm there is much more to discover, such as the centre with the Ulm Museum, the Music School and the Dreisparten Theatre on Mnsterplatz. Danube Bike Path - Wachau Nibelungengau Kremstal My main motivation for cycling the bike route was to prepare for my 1350 km cycling trip along the Iron Curtain Trail in Finland. Ready to get going? Is it safe for solo cyclists? From here on you will travel along the artificial reservoir for several kilometers. Towards Bratislava, the Danube becomes almost a lake and is populated by thousands of birds in the right season.