A guidebook to cycling the first 1261km of the Danube Cycleway from the Black Forest in Germany, through Austria and dipping into Slovakia, to Budapest, Hungary. The route, which is mainly level cycling, is well within the capabilities of most cycle tourists. It can be comfortably completed in two to three weeks.

The route is described in 29 stages (ranging from 24-66km, averaging less than 44km/stage), and passes through Germany, Austria and Hungary. It utilises EuroVelo route 6 (EV6) and (mostly) follows well-surfaced cycle tracks, often along the riverbank or flood dykes.

• 1:150,000 mapping included for each stage
• GPX files available to download
• Refreshment and accommodation information given for each stage
• Advice on planning and preparation
• Volume 1 of a two-volume series of the full Danube Cycleway route  

Map key
Overview map
Route summary table

Introduction

Background
Natural environment
The route
Preparation
Getting there and back
Navigation
Accommodation
Food and drink
Amenities and services
What to take
Safety and emergencies
About this guide
The route

Germany

Stage 1 Martinskapelle to Donaueschingen
Stage 2 Donaueschingen to Tuttlingen
Stage 3 Tuttlingen to Sigmaringen
Stage 4 Sigmaringen to Riedlingen
Stage 5 Riedlingen to Ehingen
Stage 6 Ehingen to Ulm
Stage 7 Ulm to Lauingen
Stage 8 Lauingen to Donauwörth
Stage 9 Donauwörth to Ingolstadt
Stage 10 Ingolstadt to Kelheim
Stage 11 Kelheim to Regensburg
Stage 12 Regensburg to Straubing
Stage 13 Straubing to Deggendorf
Stage 14 Deggendorf to Passau

Austria

Stage 15 Passau to Aschach
Stage 16 Aschach to Linz
Stage 17 Linz to Mauthausen
Stage 18 Mauthausen to Grein
Stage 19 Grein to Melk
Stage 20 Melk to Krems
Stage 21 Krems to Tulln
Stage 22 Tulln to Vienna
Stage 23 Vienna to Bratislava

Hungary

Stage 24 Bratislava to Mosonmagyaróvár
Stage 25 Mosonmagyaróvár to Gy?r
Stage 26 Gy?r to Komárom
Stage 27 Komárom to Esztergom
Stage 28 Esztergom to Szentendre
Stage 29 Szentendre to Budapest

Appendix A Facilities summary
Appendix B Language glossary
Appendix C Useful contacts
Appendix D Tourist information offices
Appendix E Youth hostels
Appendix F Ferries

Seasons

Apart from the upper part of Stage 1 in the Black Forest, where snow may lie until April, the route can be cycled at any time of year, but is best between April and October.

Centres

A point-to-point route with no particular bases.

Difficulty

A straightforward cycle ride, mostly off-road on well-surfaced (mainly asphalt) cycle tracks with virtually no gradients, except for a steady 500m ascent to reach the start. Suitable for all levels of cyclist, on all types of cycle, though racing cyclists may wish to use alternative routes to avoid a few short sections of gravel surface.

Must See

Route highlights include: the Black Forest, Danube sinkholes, Blue lagoon, Ulm cathedral spire (the world's highest), Donaudurchbruch gorge, Regensburg medieval altstadt, King Ludwig's Walhalla, Passau, Melk and Klosterneuburg abbeys, Wachau vineyards, Wien (Vienna) (Hofburg, Schönbrunn and Belvedere palaces, the cathedral and Spanish Riding School), Prater Ferris wheel, Bratislava, Esztergom basilica, Danube bend, Budapest (Fishermen's bastion, St Mathias church, Europe's largest synagogue).

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