The Danube Cycleway - From Donaueschingen to Budapest

Guidebook to the popular holiday cycling route, the Danube Cycle Way, which takes cyclists from Bavaria to Budapest along the route of the Danube river. Covers 1350km, in 20 stages, mainly on dedicated, clearly signed cycle tracks, and is suitable for all abilities and ages. With all necessary route-finding and accommodation information.

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Stage 2: Stetten to Ennetach (58km) – Total 101km

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Leave Stetten by the cycleway with the river on your right, passing through Altstadt (Old Town) which paradoxically is a modern development of bungalows! Looking ahead it is obvious that the valley is beginning to narrow, and by the time the cycleway reaches Fridingen the trail has obviously entered a dramatic limestone gorge.

Fridingen 619m (50/1317)
Information, hotels, guesthouses, rooms, pool, cycle shop
There is a local museum, an interesting castle close to the historic town centre, and St Anne’s Chapel. The town is also well known for its local crafts.

On leaving the town, follow the river on the left bank until the trail crosses a bridge. From this point onwards for the rest of this stage the way is surprisingly hilly with short steep inclines, often hidden until the last minute. The surface is often not paved; instead, gravel or shale and sand are used for the top surface. This can prove tricky to negotiate with laden cycles in wet weather and care should be taken. The scenery however is very fine with steep wooded hillsides and great spurs of limestone penetrating towards the sky.

After 8km of beautiful winding tracks the Fridingen-Jägerhaus is reached. This is an old hunting lodge that is open both as a wildlife and hunting museum and a tea room at times but do not rely on it. Three kilometres further along the cycleway the trail enters the fascinating old town of

Beuron 610m (61/1306)
Information, hotel, guesthouse
This small town is dominated by its huge Benedictine monastery whose church can be visited when services are not taking place. Here can be heard the Gregorian Chant sung regularly by members of the community. The interior of the church is covered with Baroque decoration and the gardens are both restful and attractive. Also see the Chapel of St Maurus, the ancient bridge and the exhibition of wildlife along the Donau.

To enter the town and reach the monastery turn left and leave the cycleway at the bridge. Descend a steep hill which swings to the left before climbing again to reach the monastery entrance. On leaving the monastery you climb back up the hill and return to the bridge to regain the cycleway. The gorge continues to fascinate as it winds its way among bizarre rock formations. The cycleway crosses the river a couple more times before the valley widens a little as it reaches the campsite at

Hausen im Tal 594m (69/1298)
Information, hotel, guesthouse, campsite
This is a good spot for a break, with picnic tables and refreshments on hand, although coach parties can make it busy.

The trail continues to hug the right bank of the river, with steep hills particularly to the right, although the river itself widens a little. Being in a nature park the area is teeming with wildlife both on the water and in the woods and it is not unusual to see animals such as deer and otters on the trail. Now you reach

Thiergarten 591m (71/1296)
Hotel, guesthouses, cycle shop, cafes, restaurants

On a tight bend of the river just beyond Thiergarten lies St George’s Chapel, the smallest basilica in Europe. After crossing the river just beyond the basilica, the cycleway passes under the railway before recrossing the river as it enters

Gutenstein 590m (79/1288)
Hotel, guesthouse

For the next 5–6km the river valley narrows again, and the cycleway crosses it several times, punctuated by a number of short, steep hills, before it reaches the peaceful retreat of

Inzigkofen 587m (87/1280)
Information, hotel, guesthouse, rooms
There are cloisters and an interesting Bavarian Museum to be seen here as well as the Devil’s Bridge and Pulpit Rock viewpoint.

From here on the scenery begins to change substantially. The valley widens and the woodlands recede, being replaced by a series of towns interspersed with arable farmland. Industry also appears, mainly in the form of cement works alongside the railway line, utilising the vast quantities of limestone quarried locally. Soon the cycleway begins to climb steeply on the approach to the large Bavarian town of

Sigmaringen 570m (89/1278)
All facilities, campsite
The bustling old centre of the town is very attractive with its towering castle, narrow streets and squares where cafes and bars spill out onto the pavements. The castle houses the largest collection of weapons in Europe as well as a fine art gallery and a museum of horse-drawn coaches and carriages. The Church of St Johann should be visited. If supplies are needed this is the place to purchase them.

Following the signs, ride down to the banks of the Donau, keeping it to your left. Soon it will begin to meander away from the trail before returning. This will happen several times before it reaches the outskirts of

Sigmaringendorf 568m (96/1271)
All facilities
This bustling town at the confluence of the Donau and the Lauchert is famous for its broadleaved deciduous trees that provide brilliant autumn colours. The chapel at the bridge is also interesting, if it is open.

A mere 3km further along the trail, just beyond the paper mill, is the much more attractive little town of

Scheer 561m (99/1268)
Information, hotel, guesthouses
The castle, St Nicholas’s Church and Loretto chapel should be visited. An exploration of its narrow streets and winding lanes will prove productive, for here can be found traditional Bavarian architecture on a more human scale.

The exit from Scheer is difficult to find as no signs to the cycleway are apparent. The town is built in a tight bend of the Donau and it is very easy to become disorientated. Remember that the Donau should always be to the left of the trail until it is no longer visible. If in doubt leave along the right side of the main road to Mengen, passing large car showrooms to the right, and at the first opportunity cross the railway line then turn left, staying alongside it, with the line to your left.

From this point the cycleway will be a good distance from the river, which cannot be seen. Follow the railway line until the ribbon development is reached that marks the outskirts of

Ennetach 556m (101/1266)
Rooms, restaurant, bar
This small development is a suburb and dormitory town of Mengen. The parish church has a fine square tower, typical of the region, with a brightly coloured tiled roof.