Cycling the Danube, from its Source to Bavaria

Easy to moderate.

40 to 70km per cycling day.

Total distance: approx. 315-330km

No particular technical difficulties. Mostly on cycle paths, greenways or minor roads. Little elevation gain. The second cycling stage is the hilliest. The others cover flatter terrain.

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

8 days / 7 nights / 6 days of cycling.

We provide a digital travel pack containing access to our smartphone navigation app, a list of your accommodation, any relevant vouchers and all the information you need for your trip to run smoothly. A paper pack containing your vouchers, luggage labels and the route book with maps of the itinerary can be provided for an additional charge. It will be handed to you at your first hotel.

This is a self-guided trip, without a guide, so you travel independently throughout your stay.

Bookings are available for groups of 2 people or more; solo travellers can also book, but the supplement is higher than the single-room supplement.

• Accommodation

In 3* hotels and inns, in rooms for two with a private bathroom. A single room can be booked at an additional cost.

• Rooms

In Germany, double beds with a single large mattress are generally uncommon, as are rooms with 2 separate twin beds. There is usually one bed base with two 90 cm mattresses, and each guest has their 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 people: these generally have an extra bed, usually a fold-out sofa bed; however, the rooms are generally spacious (ideal for adults travelling with 1 child). For 3 adults, we recommend 1 double room & 1 single room for greater comfort.

• Hotel ratings

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

Bike hire

You collect your hire bikes at the first hotel and leave them at the last hotel.

These are very good-quality German bikes from Velo de Ville (or equivalent), designed for comfort and fitted with Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres, which should allow you to enjoy your cycling trip without any mechanical problems.

An additional charge applies for using hire bikes on extra nights booked before or after the tour. Please state when booking whether you need the bikes on these extra days.

The bikes come equipped with a basket, a 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

• 27 gears, with a freewheel and no back-pedal brake: this is the model we book for you by default, as French riders are generally unfamiliar with back-pedal brakes.

Men’s hybrid bike: bike with a horizontal crossbar

From 1,75m

• 27 gears with a freewheel and no coaster brake: this is the model we reserve for you as standard, as French travellers are generally unfamiliar with coaster brakes.

E-bike: an electrically assisted bicycle, ideal if you are not entirely confident in your abilities, or if the members of your small group have different fitness levels.

Minimum age: 16 years

8 gears, with a coaster brake

Unisex, for riders from 1,45m

Sports bike: a 30-speed bike ideal for performance, with hydraulic brakes and a luggage rack, available in women’s and men’s versions.

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

20, 24 or 26 inches

• 1 handlebar map holder (1 for 2)
• 1 cycle computer (1 for 2)
• 1 lock
• 1 repair kit (1 for 2)

• Start
  In the afternoon on Day 1 in Donaueschingen

• Finish
  After breakfast on Day 8, in Donauwörth or Wörnitzstein.

• Return by train (at your own expense) or by minibus (optional, to be reserved when booking your trip)

• Transporting your own bikes:

Please note that transporting your own bikes by train is at your own expense.
Return transport for your own bikes is available on request on our tour from the source of the Danube to Donauwörth: minibus transfer on Sundays from May to September (journey time: 3 hours).
We accept no liability for damage to your own bikes.

The itinerary begins in Donaueschingen and ends in Donauwörth. Arrange travel from your own departure city. Check current connections to Donaueschingen with Deutsche Bahn; Stuttgart and Zurich airports are possible gateways, subject to your chosen flights and rail connections.

A Sunday return transfer can be requested when booking, with or without your own bike. On other days, check current rail options between Donauwörth and Donaueschingen. Confirm parking availability and charges before travelling.

A number of our trips offer opportunities to swim, either along the day’s route or at the end of the day. It would be a shame to miss out. However, we emphasise that you alone must decide whether it is appropriate to swim; any swimming is therefore your own responsibility and at your own risk.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR – Acting for Responsible Tourism)

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 holidays – 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 travel sector adopt 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 every trip

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 foster rewarding encounters.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle has held Travelife Partner status, 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 practical efforts to promote responsible tourism. We are actively working towards the next level, Travelife Certified, in line with our sustainability policy

For cycling

• Cycling shorts or tights, depending on the season
• Cycling gloves
• A helmet
• Sunglasses (to protect against sun, wind and midges)
• A windproof jacket
• T-shirts or cycling jerseys
• A handlebar map holder or a handlebar smartphone mount + 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 feel cold when wet.

Protection from sun and rain

• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• A hat, cap or bucket hat (helmet)
• A windproof jacket
• A rain cape 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, Elastoplast, soothing gauze dressings or “2nd skin”, gauze, antiseptic, arnica granules and aspirin for minor ailments …

• If your bike does not have a pannier, bring a comfortable small 40l 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 using bungee cords. Rental bikes come with a pannier where you can put your belongings. Bring a small backpack as well; this makes it easy to carry your belongings when you stop to visit somewhere along the way.

• A bag for luggage transfer: a backpack or travel bag in good condition

Germany

Capital: Berlin

For destination information, consult the German National Tourist Board.

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

Germany country code: +49.

For local tourism information, consult Germany Travel.

Germany is one hour ahead of Ireland throughout the year.

Euro in Germany