Danube Part 1 – Donaueschingen to Vienna (Wien)

Our adventure begins at the source of the mighty Danube river.  During our adventure we will trace the Danube River from its source near the Black Forest and follow it to Austria’s imperial capital. For part 1 of our journey, the cycling route traverses long river stretches across Germany and Austria. It covers tranquil countrysides, historic castles, ancient Roman sites, and major cultural landmarks along the river.  We conclude part 1 by arriving in Vienna (spelled Wien in German) where will will explore the imperial city for a few days before continuing the adventure (in part 2) to Budapest.    

Route Overview & Map

[Donaueschingen] (Germany)
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   │ ~55–65 km (~35-40 miles) through chalkstone formations & river valleys
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[Fridingen / Beuron]
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   │ ~90 km (~56 miles) past Hohenzollern Castle & limestone cliffs
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[Obermarchtal]
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   │ ~65 km (~40 miles) past Blautopf Karst spring
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[Ulm]
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   │ ~90 km (~56 miles) through Danube meadows
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[Donauwörth]
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   │ ~60 km (~37 miles) past historic fortifications
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[Ingolstadt]
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   │ ~85 km (~53 miles) + boat trip through the Danube Gap
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[Regensburg]
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   │ ~95 km (~59 miles) through the Gäuboden region
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[Deggendorf]
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   │ ~55 km (~34 miles) to three-rivers city
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[Passau]
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   │ ~65 km (~40 miles) + ferry ride through Schlögener Schlinge
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[Aschach / Brandstatt] (Austria)
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   │ ~90 km (~56 miles) through Eferding basin & Linz
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[Ardagger / Grein]
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   │ ~85 km (~53 miles) through Wachau vineyards & Melk Abbey
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[Krems]
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   │ ~85 km (~53 miles) past Tulln Roman history
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[Vienna]

• Total Distance: Approx. 915 km (~ 569 miles)
• Countries Visited: Germany, Austria
• Terrain & Topography: Mostly gentle river valleys and flat cycle paths

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Travel Day

We arrive in Frankfurt and board a train destined for Donauesghingen. Donauesghingen is where the source of the Danube river begins.

Day 2: Rest Day in Donaueschingen

We planned for a day to recover from the jet lag, rest up and get things in order for our adventure. We will also enjoy exploring Donaueschingen, visiting the castle gardens of the Fürstenberg family where the Brigach and Breg rivers meet to form the Danube.

Day 3: Donaueschingen to Fridingen / Beuron

Our cycling grand tour begins! We head out with our first destination to Fridingen.

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 55 – 65 km (~35-40 miles)
• Highlights: Pass Immendingen, where the river sinks into limestone caves for much of the year, before entering the narrow rock-walled valley approaching Fridingen.

Day 4: Fridingen to Obermarchtal

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 90 km (~56 miles)
• Highlights: Ride below 100-meter chalkstone cliffs hugging the river curves. Stop in Sigmaringen to see Hohenzollern Castle, and finish near the Baroque monastery in Obermarchtal.

Day 5: Obermarchtal to Ulm

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 65 km (~40 miles)
• Highlights: Follow the original course of the Danube towards Blaubeuren to view the deep blue Blautopf karst spring. Arrive in Ulm, home to the church tower in the world.

Day 6: Rest Day in Ulm

We have planned a rest day to explore Ulm’s old quarter, walk along the historic city walls, or climb the Ulm Minster. Other duties likely will be do do laundry etc.

Day 7: Ulm to Donauwörth

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 90 km (~56 miles)
• Highlights: Ride through elevated paths and river meadows past historic towns like Dillingen. Arrive in Donauwörth, an ancient trade route hub where the Wörnitz meets the Danube.

Day 8: Donauwörth to Ingolstadt

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 60 km (~37 miles)
• Highlights: Cycle along the foothills of the Franconian Alb to Neuburg’s grand castle overlooking the river. End in the fortified city of Ingolstadt, birthplace of the Bavarian Beer Purity Law.

Day 9: Ingolstadt to Regensburg

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 85 km + Boat Trip (~53 miles)
• Highlights: Experience the famous Danube Gap at Weltenburg Abbey. Board a ferry through the narrow gorge to Kelheim before continuing to UNESCO-listed Regensburg.

Day 10: Rest Day in Regensburg

We have another rest day planned for discovering Germany’s best-preserved medieval city center, taking in the Stone Bridge and St. Peter’s Cathedral.

Day 11: Regensburg to Deggendorf

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 95 km (~59 miles)
• Highlights: Travel across wide open landscapes through Straubing in the Gäuboden agricultural region. End the longest single stage in Deggendorf, gateway to the Bavarian Forest.

Day 12: Deggendorf to Passau

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 55 km (~34 miles)
• Highlights: Follow a shorter path through Vilshofen into the “Three Rivers City” of Passau, where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz converge.

Day 13: Rest Day in Passau

Another rest day is planned to allow time to explore the city of Passau.

• Cycling Distance: Rest Day (0 km)
• Highlights: Explore Baroque architecture designed by Italian masters, take a three-river boat tour, or visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Day 14: Passau to Aschach / Brandstatt

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 65 km + Ferry Ride (~40 miles)
• Highlights: Cross into Austria past Engelhartszell’s Trappist monastery. Take a river ferry at the Schlögener Schlinge, where the Danube makes a dramatic 180-degree loop through granite cliffs.

Day 15: Aschach to Ardagger / Grein

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 90 km (~56 miles)
• Highlights: Ride through the fertile Eferding Basin into Linz, the Upper Austrian capital. Continue downriver through the Strudengau region towards Grein.

Day 16: Ardagger / Grein to Krems

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 85 km (~53 miles)
• Highlights: Cycle past the Benedictine Melk Abbey into the Wachau Valley. Pass terraced vineyards, ruin castles in Dürnstein, and stone villages before arriving in Krems.

Day 17: Krems to Vienna

• Cycling Distance: Approx. 85 km (~53 miles)
• Highlights: Pass through Traismauer and the Roman town of Tulln. Complete the journey by cycling into Vienna.

Day 18: Rest Day in Vienna

We have yet another rest day to enjoy visiting Vienna’s imperial palaces, coffeehouses, and historic central boulevards.

Day 19: Vienna – Transition day to Part 2

We begin preparations for part 2 Vienna to Budapest!