German Danube: spring - Donauwörth

Arrive early, because it's worth it. Who has been to the source of such a great river? The Schlossquelle is the starting point of the Danube Cycle Path. The pretty little town is characterised by the former Fürstenberg residence.

Finally it's time to get on your bikes! You cycle quickly through the "Baar", a truly unique landscape. In Pfohren it is worth making a detour to the Entenburg and then it gets exciting in Immendingen. For most of the year, the small Danube disappears into the porous limestone here! Instead of flowing into the Black Sea as described in the atlas, these masses of water ripple through Lake Constance and over the Rhine into the North Sea. A unique natural spectacle! After a worthwhile break, you roll through the narrow valley of the Swabian Alb to Mühlheim. Overnight stay in Mühlheim or Fridingen.

Look forward to what is probably the most spectacular section of your journey, the Danube breakthrough. Between Fridingen and Beuron there is only the most beautiful landscape, the cycle path and the cyclists. Between towering limestone cliffs you cycle swiftly to Sigmaringen, the former capital of the principality of the same name. Marvel at the residential palace, still inhabited today, where an interesting guided tour awaits you. Overnight stay in Sigmaringen or Scheer.

A day of castles, monasteries and palaces. The Danube takes you to Zwiefaltendorf with its beautiful moated castle. A detour to the Benedictine monastery of Zwiefalten with its beautiful baroque and rococo architecture is also worthwhile. In Obermarchtal, the next baroque monastery awaits, this time of the Premonstratensians.

Great destinations beckon today. You leave the Danube for a short distance and cycle via Allmendingen and Schelklingen through the valley of the Ur-Danube to Blaubeuren. Behind the monastery is the famous Blautopf, a powerful karst spring and the beginning of a large cave system. From here you follow the Blau river, accompanied by medieval castles and ruins to the Swabian-Bavarian twin city of Ulm. Marvel at the highest church tower in the world during a city tour! How about a climb up the tower? Or would you prefer a stroll through the picturesque fishermen's and tanners' quarter with its warped half-timbered houses?

Pedal your way between Ulm and Lauingen from one beautiful town to the next. Marvel at the pilgrimage church in Elchingen, the rococo-style Liebfrauenkirche in Günzburg and look forward to Lauingen, the town of towers. Stroll through the historic old town, which has a lot to offer from the famous Schimmel Tower to the Apollo-Grannus Temple.

Today you cycle first to Höchstädt with the Pfalz-Neuburg castle. After a worthwhile break, you cycle leisurely through the Danube meadows to Donauwörth. Picturesquely situated at the mouth of the Wörnitz, where the most important trade route between Nuremberg and Augsburg once crossed the Danube, splendid town houses and the Käthe Kruse Doll Museum await your visit!

You have now seen the first part of the German Danube. Many more beautiful kilometres along the Danube still lie ahead of you.... We wish you a safe journey home and hope to see you again next year for the second stage.