Bavarian five rivers loop | Round trip starting in Regensburg

Your tour begins in Regensburg, the most northern town on the Danube. This town is considered Germany‘s best preserved city and has been declared a UNESCO Heritage Site. Take some time to explore the lovely parks and gardens as well as the historic old town.

Today you have a short stage ahead of you, so there is enough time for an extensive tour of historic Regensburg. Then you leave the UNESCO World Heritage city and cycle along the Naab River, surrounded by meadows, forests and fields. On both banks, Jura rocks up to 100 meters high tower over the lovely valley. Finally, at the ruins of Kallmünz Castle, another river change announces itself: Here the Vils flows into the Naab.

If you decide to climb up to the castle ruins of the same name at Kallmünz, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Naab valley! Afterwards you part from the Naab and now follow the Vils. On an old railroad line, you will now roll along the Five Rivers Cycle Path through the charming Vils Valley. The landmark of the city of Amberg is the Amberger Stadtbrille, a water gate with two towers that spans the Vils.

After a flat section, it gets a bit hillier again today. You will cross one of the most densely wooded areas in Germany, the "Hersbrucker Schweiz". For centuries, the town of Hersbruck was the center of hop growing and trade, as evidenced by the elevator dormers as roof noses on the restored half-timbered houses. You leave Hersbruck through the famous Wassertor (water gate) and head into the Pegnitz Valley with its almost untouched river landscape. In Lauf, you can board the local train (not included) at the Lauf train station on the left side of the Pegnitz to save your energy and have time for another sightseeing tour of Nuremberg.

From Nuremberg you cycle, following the Pegnitz and Ludwig-Danube-Main Canal, in a southeasterly direction. Here, on the edge of the Franconian Alps, the route goes quickly without any inclines. Alternatively, you can take the train (not included) to Burgthann to shorten the route a bit and have more time. The distinctive church towers of the old town and the Wolfstein castle ruins on the ridge above the town greet you from afar. Via Freystadt you reach the Main-Danube Canal, which now shows you the way. For long stretches you roll downstream directly along the canal bank. Then you have already arrived at your stage destination Berching.

Today, you will alternately drive along the old arms of the Altmühl, which captivate you with their naturalness. Via Dietfurt and Riedenburg you will reach Essing, which has one of the most popular photo motifs of the entire Altmühl valley: the two-story Bruckturm with its 46 meter long wooden bridge. From Kelheim, you can take a very worthwhile excursion by boat (not included) through the Danube breakthrough to Wellenberg Monastery. Here you should definitely plan a visit to the beer garden!

Before you set off to Regensburg, it‘s worth making the effort to cycle up to the Hall of Liberation, where you have incredible views of the area. Continue at a more leisurely pace on to Regensburg, where you reach the most northerly point of the Danube. This town is considered Germany‘s best-preserved city and has been declared a UNESCO Heritage Site.

After breakfast you start your individual return journey home or extend your stay.