The approximately 200 kilometres between Donaueschingen and Ulm have been so perfectly marked since 2007 that you can leave your map in your luggage. For the most part, the route leads along car-free or car-poor routes, roads with significant car traffic are the exception, but an estimated quarter of the route runs on levelled, but not asphalted, ground. Sometimes the winding route suggests that the signposting is not just about places of interest, but also about the economic interests of local residents.
Unlike the classic Passau - Vienna route, there are always short, steep ramps to overcome on the upper reaches of the Danube, which can add up to a few hundred metres in altitude per day when visiting sights along the route. The route is usually cycled in three stages, four days is more comfortable. The Danube gorge between Mühlheim and Beuron is a scenic highlight. Away from all tarmac roads, the romantic landscape is shared only with hikers. Tip: From Ehingen to Ulm, be sure to choose the variant via Blaubeuren and the Blautal valley.
GPS data
You can find the GPX track for this tour in the MYBIKE Collection on komoot
Arrival
The clear recommendation is to travel to Donaueschingen by train. From Ulm, there are through trains with bike transport, and the cycle signposts will take you directly back to the railway station.
Information
Tourismus-Marketing GmbH Baden-Württemberg, Esslinger Str. 8, 70182 Stuttgart, Tel. 01805 / 55 66 90, http://www.tourismus-bw.de
Food
We particularly enjoyed these restaurants:
Beuron: Hotel Pelikan, Abteistr. 12; Rather simple rooms, but cosy restaurant and good food - partly from our own hunting. Beautiful location right next to the abbey.
Blaubeuren: Gasthof Blautopf/La Locanda, Blautopfstr. 4; Italian-inspired traditional inn right by the spring, with a varied menu and friendly service.
Munderkingen: Cafe Melber, Marktstr. 15; cosy, fine bistro with good food and cosmopolitan flair, in the centre of the old town.
Overnight stay
Cycling and hiking tourism are well established, so beds for just one night are easy to book (information and recommendations, for example, at http://www.bettundbike.de). Advance booking is recommended, especially at weekends.
Hotel Linde in Donaueschingen, www.hotel-linde-ds.de
Gasthof Neumühle in Beuron-Thiergarten, www.neumuehle.de
Country inn Zur Rose in Ehingen-Berg, www.rose-berg.de
Hotel Gasthof Traube in Sigmaringen, www.hotel-traube-sigmaringen.de
Hotel Rössle in Tuttlingen, www.hotelroessle.eu
Tour combinations
Iller Cycle Route, Danube-Lake Constance Cycle Route, Alb-Neckar Cycle Route, Swabian Potato Tour
Literature/Maps
Danube Cycle Route 1: Donaueschingen to Passau, with map sections 1:50,000, published by Esterbauer, 12.90 euros
Organiser
Organised tours with rental bikes and luggage transport in the section described are offered by, among others: Radweg-Service GmbH, Fritz-Arnold-Straße 16a, 78467 Konstanz, Tel. 07531/819930; http://www.radweg-service.com
The full-length article from issue 1/2010 is available as a free PDF download.
