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Day 1: Arrival in Donaueschingen
The Brigach and Breg Black Forest rivers join to form the Danube near the town, but even the Romans though the source of the river's source was located in the park of the Fürstenberg castle. The castle built in the Belle Epoch style is a testament to the importance of the Fürstenberg family and has an excellent natural history collection and important paintings and sculptures from the modern period.
Day 2: Donaueschingen to Mühlheim, 29 miles (47 km).
The first stage leads you through the so-called "Baar" landscape. In Pfohren a visit to the old Entenburg castle is worthwhile. In Immendingen you will be able to visit an important natural phenomenon: the sinking of the Danube. Here the river disappears beneath the porous chalk rock for the majority of the year. After Tuttlingen the valley begins to narrow, which the Danube has carved through the Swabian Alb and you will reach the small town of Mühlheim, situated above the river.
Day 3: Mühlheim to Sigmaringen, 28 miles (45 km).
Today you will travel through the Danube opening which will probably be one of the most beautiful sections of your trip. Between Fridingen and Beuron there will be no cars or trains to disrupt your cycling enjoyment and the abbey in Beuron is the perfect place to take a break. The river and cycle path snake between towering chalk cliffs, many of which even to this day are still crowned with castles or ruins on the way to Sigmaringen. The castle is still inhabited and houses a large collection of weapons where you can have a guided tour.
Day 4: Sigmaringen to Riedlingen, 21 miles (34 km).
You will now leave the former "Prussian-Swabian" capital of the Hohenzoller country and will reach Württemberger ground at Scheer. In Hundersingen you will find the Heuneburg Museum with an overview of Celtic times and interesting original finds. You will continue on along the archaeological path past impressive burial hills to Heuneburg, one of the most significant Celtic seats of power north of the Alps. There are good reconstructions which give an inside look at town dwelling over 2,500 years ago.
Day 5: Riedlingen to Ehingen, 21 miles (34 km).
You will cycle along the Danube until you reach Zwiefaltendorf with its beautiful castle. You will be able to visit the Benedictine monastery in Zwiefalten with its beautiful Baroque and Rococo architecture. In Obermarchtal you will find the next Baroque monastery and passing by the pretty village of Munderkingen with its traditional wooden framed houses you will reach the town of Ehingen, which is most well known as being the home of Liebherr cranes.
 Day 6: Ehingen to Ulm, 24 miles (39 km).
You will leave the modern Danube behind you today and cycle past Allmendingen and Schelklingen through the valley of the ancient Danube to Blaubeuren. Behind the monastery you will find the famous Blautopf, an amazing limestone spring which is the start of a large system of caves, where according to legend a beautiful nymph lived. Medieval castles and ruins accompany you along the Blau until you reach the Swabian-Bavarian double city of Ulm with the highest church tower in the world. Enjoy this city at the end of your journey with its great shopping and metropolitan flair.
Day 7: Departure from Ulm.
Departure from Ulm, or extra days. Or continue your journey along the Danube with the next leg the Bavarian Danube. |
Freedom Holiday 
The Danube River, 1770 miles long, is the second largest river in Europe next to the Volga. It is the only major river in Europe that flows west to east. The source of the Danube is in the Black Forest Mountains of Germany and it empties into the Black Sea on the Romanian coast. The Danube River starts at the confluence of the two rivers - Brigach and Breg - near Donaueschingen in the Black Forest in Germany. However, by agreement the source of the Danube is considered a spring in the castle of Donaueschingen.