Cycling the Bavarian Danube from Donauwörth to Passau

Grade 2/5

Easy to moderate

40 to 65km per cycling day. No particular technical difficulties. The route mainly follows cycle paths, greenways or quiet roads. The terrain is mostly flat, with a few gentle changes in elevation. Due to the more demanding stages, we only recommend this trip for young people aged between 12 and 17 who are used to cycling for several consecutive days.

You only carry a small bag with your picnic lunch and what you need for the day. Your luggage will be waiting at your hotel in the evening: it is transferred by the hotelier or by taxi. Maximum weight: 20 kg. We recommend carrying a change of clothes in your panniers, as rare, unforeseen circumstances, such as traffic jams, may occasionally delay luggage delivery. Luggage may arrive as late as 18:00.

Bookings are possible for 2 people or more; solo travellers can also book, but this incurs a supplement higher than the single room supplement.

8 days / 7 nights; 6 days of cycling.

We provide a digital travel pack containing your accommodation list, any vouchers and all the information you need for your trip to run smoothly. You will receive your route book and a map on arrival.
This is a self-guided holiday, with no guide, so you travel independently throughout your stay.

• Accommodation

In 3* hotels, in rooms for two with a private bathroom. Single rooms can be booked for a supplement.

• Rooms

German hotels generally do not have double beds with one large mattress, and rooms with 2 twin beds are rare. Usually, there is one bed base with two 90 cm mattresses, each with its own duvet. If you would like a twin room, please let us know when booking; we will do our best, subject to availability.

Rooms for 3 or 4: these usually have an extra sofa bed; however, the rooms are generally spacious (ideal for adults with 1 child). For 3 adults, we recommend 1 double room & 1 single room for greater comfort.

• Hotel classification

Some hotels or Gasthof inns have no official classification or choose not to be classified, including establishments that were still classified a few years ago. This does not mean their quality has declined—far from it. If, for example, we indicate a comfort level of “3* or equivalent”, this means that the establishment is not necessarily officially classified, but offers a level of comfort corresponding to that of a 3* hotel.

• Meals

Breakfast is included. Dinner and lunch are not included, but you will have no trouble finding somewhere to eat along the way. Please note: dinner is often served early. Make sure you observe meal service times.

Start

On Day 1 in the afternoon in Donauwörth.

End

On Day 8 after breakfast in Passau.

You can add an extra night before, after or during your cycling holiday.

The route starts in Donauwörth and ends in Passau. Arrange travel from your own departure city and check current connections to Donauwörth with Deutsche Bahn; Munich, Stuttgart and Frankfurt airports may be gateways depending on your itinerary.

• By train: Donauwörth has a railway station. Check current routes and schedules.
• By car: confirm road conditions, parking availability and charges before travelling.
• Return journey: rail from Passau to Donauwörth is at your own expense; check current services and bike carriage rules.

Bike hire

These are very high-quality German bikes from Velo de Ville (or equivalent). They are comfortable and fitted with Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres, which should allow you to enjoy your cycling trip with fewer puncture worries.

The bikes are equipped with a front bag with a map holder, a waterproof rear pannier, a cycle computer, a lock, a pump and a repair kit.

Unisex hybrid bike: standard bike with a crossbar, for riders from 1,45m to 1,90m tall

• 8 gears, wide saddle, with a coaster brake + 2 conventional handlebar-operated brakes. Please let us know if you would like this model.
• 10 gears, wide saddle, no coaster brake, with a freewheel and hydraulic brakes.

Men’s bikes: bikes with a horizontal top tube

For riders from 1,75m tall

• 8 gears with a coaster brake + 2 conventional handlebar-operated brakes. Please let us know if you would like this model.
• 10 gears, no coaster brake, with a freewheel and hydraulic brakes.

E-bike: electrically assisted bike: ideal if you are not quite confident in your cycling ability, or if the members of your small group have different fitness levels.

8 gears, with a coaster brake

• Unisex bike for riders from 1,45m tall
• Men’s bike for riders from 1m80 tall

Children’s bikes (on request) up to 1,55m

20, 24 or 26 inches

Weehoo: for children aged 2 to 7, weighing up to 30kg (with pedals)

Child trailer (on request)

Small trailer for carrying 1, or even 2 children (max. 45kg).

Child seat: on request; confirm availability and cost when booking.

A number of our trips offer opportunities to swim, either during the day’s route or at the end of the day. It would be a shame to miss out. However, please bear in mind that your guides are not lifeguards; you therefore swim under your own responsibility and at your own risk.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR)

Since 2012, Grand Angle has been a member of ATR, the leading association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips – walking, cycling and snow-based – to invite everyone to discover the world differently: with curiosity, respect and kindness.

As members of the board of directors since 2018, we actively help the sector move towards more meaningful practices. In practical terms, we focus on:

• Transparency in our practices and prices
• Respect for our partners and local communities
• Protecting the environment on each of our trips

We also share the values of the traveller’s ethical charter, which encourages everyone to take simple steps to protect the places they visit and make meaningful connections with others.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle has been recognised as a Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies our responsible environmental, ethical and sustainable management practices, both within our company and in our work with partners and the organisation of our trips.

This label, the second level of a rigorous international certification scheme, recognises our concrete actions towards responsible tourism. We are actively working towards the next level, Travelife Certified, in accordance with our sustainability policy

For cycling

• Short or long cycling shorts, depending on the season
• Cycling gloves
• A helmet
• Sunglasses (to protect against the sun, wind and midges)
• A windproof jacket
• T-shirts or cycling jerseys
• A handlebar map holder or a handlebar smartphone mount and a power bank
• A water bottle

Note: synthetic technical clothing performs very well. New merino wool clothing is also available; it performs very well, is comfortable to wear and has the advantage of resisting sweat odours (brands include Icebreaker, Ruka, etc.)!
As a general rule, avoid cotton, which makes you cold when wet.

Protection against sun and rain

• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• A hat, cap or bucket hat (helmet)
• A windproof jacket
• A rain poncho or a Gore-Tex jacket

• A jumper or fleece
• Comfortable walking trousers
• A pair of shorts
• A tracksuit or a change of clothes
• A lightweight, long-sleeved cotton shirt
• A pair of running-style trainers for the evening
• Spare clothes and underwear
• A toiletry bag
• Swimwear
• A small first-aid kit: personal medication, adhesive strapping tape, Biogaze or “2nd skin”, gauze, antiseptic, arnica granules and aspirin for minor aches and injuries…

• If your bike has no pannier, bring a comfortable small 40-litre backpack with a hip belt to carry your personal belongings and picnic during the day. If you have a luggage rack, you can secure your bag to it with bungee cords. Rental bikes come with a pannier for your belongings. Bring a small backpack as well; this makes it easy to carry your belongings when you stop to visit places along the way.
• A bag for luggage transfers: a backpack or travel bag in good condition

Germany

Capital: Berlin

Check the travel documents and healthcare arrangements that apply to your nationality and country of residence before departure.

For destination information, consult the German National Tourist Board.

Germany country code: +49.

Germany is one hour ahead of Ireland throughout the year.

The euro in Germany.