Danube cycle path (1)

In Donaueschingen, the Brigach and Breg rivers merge to form the Danube. However the Romans once thought that the spring in the castle gardens was the source of the Danube. You can still visit the source of the Danube in Donaueschingen today, right in the park of a very impressive castle, where the Fürstenberg family once lived.

The first section is a quick cycle to Immendingen. This is where the Da- nube sinks into the chalky stone for some 155 days of the year to flow through an underground cave system south to the Aachtopf, Germany‘s biggest spring. In Tuttlingen, the valley narrows and it‘s now not far to today‘s destination.

The chalkstone rocks rise some 100 metres above the cycle path which snakes its way through the rocks here, following the river. You will keep seeing an old castle on the rocks above or rather what remains of it. In Sigmaringen there‘s another magnificent castle to be discovered, Hohenzollern Castle is still lived in by a noble family and you can go an interesting guided tour if you like.

You follow the course of the river at a leisurely pace to just after Hunder- singen, where you should take a break at the open air museum in Heu- neburg and find out all about the life of the Celts. In today‘s destination, Obermarchtal, a Baroque treasure waits to be discovered - the former monastery can be visited.

Today you cycle along the original course of the Danube, through the valley to Blaubeuren with its famous Blautopf - an intense Karst spring and the start of a huge system of caves. To shorten this section you can cycle directly along the Danube to Ulm - and thus save about 10 km. Your destination is Ulm with the highest church tower in the world! It obviously provides great views.

Between Ulm and Lauingen, town after town is lined up, all beautifully preserved and situated somewhat away from the river on flood-proof hills. Lauingen is also called the city of towers.

Most of the towns here are away from the river on raised, flood-safe ground. Cycle at a leisurely pace through the Danube meadowland to Donauwörth, situated on the mouth of the Wörnitz. One of the key trade routes between Nuremberg and Augsburg crossed the Danube here.

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