ALONG THE BAVARIAN DANUBE

10 day Independent tour

An easy going cycling route along the Blue Danube, starting in the city of Ulm, whose cathedral tower at 161.5 metres in the highest in the world, and ending in Passau, near the Austrian border.

In Bavarian Swabia, the Danube is quieter, the valley wider and the mountains lower. Significant towns cluster along the river banks like a string of pearls. The Weltenburg Monastery is a destination for both pilgrims and beer lovers. Regensburg radiates historical elegance and was designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in July 2006.
In Lower Bavaria the Danube meanders between hop-fields to the right and the foothills of the Bavarian Forest to the left. Kehlheim, Straubing and Deggendorf are destination along the way to the three river city of Passau. Under the baroque buildings of this Residence town the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers meet and for a few kilometres engage in a colourful display of colours with blue, green and brown merging.

 


 

Day 1  Individual Arrival in Ulm  

 

Your trip begins in the dual Swabian-Bavarian town of Ulm. Take the time to stroll around the rebuilt inner city, climb the steps of the highest church tower in the world and visit the picturesque fishing and tanning quarter with its crooked wooden-framed houses. The city library which is built in the form of a glass pyramid is an interesting example of modern architecture in the city.
Overnight stay in Ulm
Day 2   Ulm – Dillingen (ca. 57 km)

 

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, while Günzburg offers visitors the Church of Our Lady (Liebfrauenkirche) in Rococo style, and in Dillingen the beautiful buildings of this old residence town are worth a look. 
Overnight stay in Dillingen
Day 3   Dillingen – Donauwörth (ca. 35 km)

  

  

Today you will cycle to Höchstädt with its castle of the Dukes of Pfalz from Pfalz-Neuburg. You will continue on along good quality paths through the Donauauen. Today’s destination is Donauwörth, picturesquely situated on the mouth of the Wörnitz, where once the most important trade route between Nürnberg and Augsburg crossed the Danube. Today the beautiful houses testify to the historical importance of the town. The Käthe-Kruse-Puppenmuseum (Doll Museum) is a treat for both young and old. Overnight stay in Donauwörth

  

Day 4  Donauwörth – Ingolstadt (ca. 63 km)

 

On today’s route you'll encounter numerous castles, including the castles of Leipheim, Bertoldsheim and the Stepperg castle in Rennertshofen. The most beautiful renaissance castle on the Danube is located in Neuburg. You will continue on through large forested areas to Ingolstadt. This town is well known as the home-town of Audi but offers attractions for all tastes: art and car fanatics and historians are all catered for. The Museum Mobile presents the history of mobility in a very interesting exhibition.   Overnight stay in Ingolstadt

 

Day 5   Ingolstadt - Kelheim (ca. 46 km)

 

You will cycle along the Danube today to Neustadt and further on through fields of hops to Bad Gögging. Like all along the Danube, the Romans settled here and the excavated fort remains are a testament to this. Further on along the route a particularly interesting natural phenomena awaits you: the Danube breakthrough between Weltenburg and Kelheim. Here the Danube forces its way through the rock faces of the Franconian Jura mountains. The famous Benedictine monastery was built on a flat sandbank and a boat will bring you from here to Kelheim. Overnight stay in Kelheim

 
Day 6   Kelheim – Regensburg (ca. 39 km)

 

Before you start out cycling today you should go up to the Befreiungshalle, from where you will have a great panoramic view. Today’s route leads you through the spa town of Bad Abbach and onto Regensburg, the most northerly point of the Danube. The town is known as the best preserved city in Germany and was declared a world cultural monument by UNESCO. Round off your day with a walk through the winding lanes of the Spital quarter. 
Overnight stay in Regensburg
Day 7   Regensburg – Straubing (ca. 51 km)

 

You should make you first stop today near Donaustauf and visit Walhalla, an imitation of the Pantheon on the Acropolis, which was built under Ludwig I. in 1842. You will then continue on along the Danube, which meanders along the expansive plains. You will pass Wörth Castle and will find yourself in the midst of the so-called Gäuboden landscape. Your goal is the town of Straubing, which has Celtic and Roman roots and has a impressive town tower. 
Overnight stay in Straubing
Day 8   Straubing - Deggendorf (ca. 41 km)

  

Today you will cycle through Bogen, which became famous due to the pregnant madonna found there in 1104. You will then continue on through Pfelling and Mariaposching to the Benedictine monastery of Metten, before you reach Deggendorf, the gateway to the Bavarian forest. The old town is heavily influenced by Gothic and Baroque styles. 
Overnight stay in Deggendorf
Day 9   Deggendorf – Passau (ca. 57 km)

 

The last stage of your journey leads you past the convent of Niederaltaich, which in the course of its history fell victim to 13 fires! Shortly afterwards you will reach your destination, the three river city and former Episcopal town of Passau. Explore along the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers by boat and round off your holiday with a walk through the old town.
Overnight stay in Passau

Day 10   Individual Return Journey

After breakfast you may return by train to Ulm or head for home. We would be more than happy to extend your stay along the Danube cycle path towards Vienna, or elsewhere in Europe.

 

Rating: Easy to Moderate

The route is mainly flat and along asphalt cycle paths. There are also long stretches along compressed earth paths, small sections run through forests and sometimes the route leads along roads with traffic. Suitable for everyone with a basic level of fitness.

Airport / Transfers

The nearest international airport is Munich, with regular rail transfers available to Ulm (75 minutes). These cost approx. $45.00 one way.

  

Schedule & Price

 

Departure Dates

Independent tours depart daily from early April to early October
Price per person CAD $1195
Single Supplement   $300
Half-board surcharge (9 evening dinners)   $300
Optional electro bike   $140
Low season discount (before May 10th & after September 13th )   $100

 

This tour includes:

• 9 nights accommodation in a double room with private facilities. The hotels we use on this tour are family run guesthouses and B & B's of 2.5 & 3 star standard. 
• breakfasts daily.

• luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
• modern hybrid bicycle with 21 gears & pannier

• Entrance to the Museum Mobile in Ingolstadt

• Boat trip from Weltenburg to Kelheim incl. bike

• Entrance to Walhalla Donaustauf

• Three river boat trip in Passau
• 10-Days Service hotline
• Detailed travel material, maps, and route descriptions of places of interest

Accommodation Upgrade:

You may upgrade your accommodation to all 3.5 & 4 star quality hotels. The additional cost is CAD $300.00 per person, double occ.

  

Notes:

A 7 day itinerary is also available. Contact us for details.

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