The German Danube

Individual arrival in Donaueschingen. The day is free to explore the town. The Brigach and Breg Black Forest rivers join to form the Danube in Donaueschingen, but even the Romans thought the source of the river was located in the park of the Fürstenberg castle. The castle, built in the Belle Epoch style, is a testament to the importance of the Fürstenberg family. It has an excellent natural history collection and houses many important paintings and sculptures from the modern period. Overnight stay in Donaueschingen.

The first stage leads you through the so-called "Baar" landscape. In Pfohren a visit to the old Entenburg castle is worthwhile. In Immendingen you will be able to visit an important natural phenomenon: the sinking of the Danube. The river disappears beneath the porous chalk rock for the majority of the year and instead of flowing to the Black Sea flows towards Lake Constance and finally into the Rhein. After Tuttlingen the valley begins to narrow and follows the path the Danube has carved through the Swabian Alb. You will then reach the towns of Fridingen and Beuron, with its famous Benedictine monastery. Overnight stay in Muhlheim or Fridingen.

Today you will travel through the Danube opening which will probably be one of the most beautiful sections of your trip. The river and cycle path snake between towering chalk cliffs, many of which are crowned with castles or ruins on the way to Sigmaringen, the former capital town of the principality of the same name. The castle in Sigmaringen is still inhabited and houses a large collection of weapons where you can stop and have a guided tour. Overnight in Sigmaringen.

A leisurely cycle today as you follow the course of the river until just after Hundersingen where you may take a break to visit the open air museum in Heuneburg to discover all about the life of the Celts. Shortly before you reach your overnight destination Riedlingen, you will pass the Historical Hanging Garden of Neufra. If open, it is worth a visit!

Passing Zwiefaltendorf Castle, you reach Obermarchtal Monastery. Continue along the Danube via the small town of Munderkingen with its well-preserved halftimbered houses and its parish church of St. Dionysius from the 13th century. Later you will reach the pretty market town of Ehingen where you hotel is located.

You will leave the modern Danube behind you today and cycle through the valley of the ancient Danube to Blaubeuren. Behind the monastery you will find the famous Blautopf, an amazing limestone spring which is the start of a large system of caves, where according to legend a beautiful nymph lived. Medieval castles and ruins accompany you along the Blau until you reach the Swabian-Bavarian double city of Ulm with the highest church tower in the world. Enjoy this city at the end of your journey with its great shopping and metropolitan flair. Overnight stay in Ulm.

Between Ulm and Dillingen you will pass village after village, located a little off the road and safe from the river floods which are all beautifully well kept. In Elchingen you can visit the pilgrimage church, Günzburg offers visitors the Church of Our Lady (Liebfrauenkirche) in Rococo style. Overnight stay in Lauingen or Dillingen.