Danube Cycle Trail – Donaueschingen to Ulm | Cycling Holiday in Germany | Self Guided Cycling Holiday

In the gardens of the castle a fountain and monument mark the start of the river. From here the route leaves the Black Forest and travels east through changing landscapes, passing Sigmaringen with its most impressive castle perched on a rocky outcrop. The valley widens and the route is predominantly flat as you continue to Ehingen. The last day is either an easy short ride alongside the Danube or a hillier but highly recommended route via Blaubeuren. Whichever you choose you should ensure you have time to explore the city of Ulm. The minster, dating from 1377 has the highest church tower in the world.

Grade: Easy

Getting there:
Fly to Munich, Karlsruhe, Frankfurt or Zurich then train to Donaueschingen.

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Day 1 Arrive Donaueschingen.

Day 2 Donaueschingen to Tuttlingen.
With the wooded hillsides of the Black Forest as a backdrop, your cycle ride alongside the young River Danube takes you east to Geisingen. Beyond here the river valley is once again between wooded hillsides and around Immendingen the limestone in the river bed means that in dry summer conditions the river goes underground, giving the appearance of drying up completely. The river soon re-appears and winds its way through the hills to Tuttlingen. ~ 25 miles

Day 3 Tuttlingen to Beuron.
It is not far as the crow flies to Beuron but your route alongside the Danube is anything but straight as the river carves its valley through the hills. Hilltop castles, pretty villages and interesting churches abound as you make your way downstream. ~ 16 miles

Day 4 Beuron to Sigmaringen.
Your route continues through the natural park of the Upper Danube with hillsides on both banks of the river. Watermills can often be seen, built to utilise the force of the young river. Hilltop castles are once again a feature of the route today. Sigmaringen with its impressive castle awaits you at the end of the day. ~ 19 miles

Day 5 Sigmaringen to Riedlingen.
The valley widens out beyond Sigmaringen, no longer hemmed in by the hills. Agricultural meadows in turn give way to a flat marshy area with reed beds as you approach Riedlingen. ~ 22 miles

Day 6 Riedlingen to Ehingen.
The open valley continues for a while and then the hillsides return as your itinerary follows a section of the Upper Schwabian Baroque Route near Munderkingen. There are several interesting buildings in the small town of Ehingen. ~ 25 miles

Day 7 Ehingen to Ulm.
There is a choice of routes on your last day in the saddle. The shorter route is on the Danube cycle way direct to Ulm whilst a longer route takes you away from the Danube for the day. This very pretty route option takes you north to Blaubeuren, an interesting little town at the source of the River Blau. You then follow the valley of this river as it makes its way through beautiful countryside to Ulm, where it flows into the Danube. ~ 16 or 25 miles

Day 8 Departure.

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