Danube Cycle Path - Cycling Through Europe

The Danube has always been a place of longing for travelers, an important trade route, and the site of historical moments. Here, where kings once went to war and trading ships forged their paths, you can find some of the most beautiful landscapes, nature parks, and cities of Europe today. Many cycling and hiking paths lead travelers along the impressive riverbanks. The most beautiful way to follow the wild course of the river is to ride the Danube Cycle Path. On a route of almost 1,800 miles, you will pass through the Danube metropolises of Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade, as well as charming towns and landscapes, and ancient Roman settlements. We present to you the Danube Cycle Path and its most beautiful stops.

From its source in the Black Forest to its mouth in the Black Sea, the Danube meanders 1,775 miles through eight countries. After Germany and Austria, the second longest river in Europe flows through Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, and Bulgaria, before transitioning into the Black Sea in Romania. The classic cycling route takes travelers from Germany to Budapest. Whether you choose to ride the entire distance or explore only selected sections of the Danube Cycle Path, each stage offers scenic and cultural surprises.

The starting point of the German section of the Danube route is Donaueschingen in southwestern Baden-Württemberg. This quaint spa town is entirely centered around the river, as the source of the Danube is located in the Prince's Castle Park. From here, the route continues to Ulm, where you can visit the highest church tower in the world and the Gothic Cathedral. Between Ingolstadt and Regensburg, you will find not only some of the most picturesque Danube meadows but also Roman cultural landscapes and the famous Weltenburg Abbey. Regensburg itself is also worth a trip. Since 2006, the old town of this university city has been a UNESCO World Heritage site. Afterward, plan a detour to the Walhalla Memorial, which was built in 1842 to honor significant German personalities. The final section of the first stage of the Danube Cycle Path leads you to the charming town of Passau.

From Passau, you follow the wild river on paved roads to the Slovakian border. Via Stifts Engelszell, the most traveled section of the route first leads to the state capital, Vienna. There are numerous highlights along the way: The Schlögener Loop in the upper Danube valley, which makes a 180-degree bend, has been declared a natural wonder of Upper Austria. And in Linz, not only a baroque old town awaits but also the most modern music theater in Europe. Between Melk and Krems, the UNESCO World Heritage region Wachau stretches out. Along the renowned Wachau orchards and numerous castles, the Danube Cycle Path then brings you to the capital, Vienna. Take your time to discover the cultural city, Schönbrunn Palace, or the old town of Vienna. Plan about eight days for the route from Passau to Vienna.

Few cities are as closely tied to the Danube as the Austrian capital. The heart of the former Danube monarchy also houses the modern Danube City and the old district of Donaustadt. It's no coincidence that Johann Strauss created the Blue Danube Waltz here in 1866, and the Danube wave is served in nearly every café within the city as a Viennese Melange.

From Vienna, the Danube Cycle Path takes you via Bratislava to Budapest. Here, you will find some of the most impressive buildings in Europe. The river and its many bridges shape the image of the Hungarian capital, making it the largest metropolis on the Danube today. However, there is also much to discover along the route before you explore Budapest. The Danube Cycle Path first leads you for about 43 miles to Bratislava. The Slovak capital is known for its magnificent buildings and idyllic old town. Afterward, the smaller towns of Györ and Komárom are also worth a visit. Small rural villages and light traffic side roads line the Danube route towards Budapest. It's worth a detour to the royal city of Esztergom, which has the largest church in Hungary, as well as the town of Szentendre. For this approximately 275-mile stretch, you should plan at least a week.

Only in recent years has the extension of the Danube Cycle Path through Croatia, Serbia, and Romania to the Black Sea been established. This cycling connection mainly demands one thing from travelers - endurance. However, cyclists are rewarded with some of the most beautiful natural landscapes. The cycling route runs through Croatia, the Serbian capital of Belgrade, and for 500 miles through Bulgaria. The longest section of the route, at 1,000 kilometers, is located in Romania. Through both small and large Wallachia, it leads to the Danube Delta at the Black Sea. Not only this biosphere reserve, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, but also other cities and places in Romania are worth seeing. Depending on whether you ride the entire route or opt for public transport, you should plan one to two weeks for the Romania route.