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The Danube Cycleway Volume 1

From the source in the Black Forest to Budapest

The first in a two-volume set, this guidebook describes cycling the first 1269km of the Danube river from its source in the Black Forest to Budapest, passing through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Suitable for all levels of cyclist, the route visits the great cities of Vienna and Bratislava before arriving in the Hungarian capital.

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

Black Forest, Danube sinkholes, Blue lagoon, Ulm cathedral spire (world's highest), Donaudurchbruch gorge, Regensburg medieval altstadt, King Ludwig's Walhalla, Passau, Melk and Klosterneuburg abbeys, Wachau vineyards, Wien (Hofburg, Schönbrunn and Belvedere Palaces, cathedral, Spanish Riding School), Prater Ferris wheel, Bratislava, Esztergom basilica, Danube bend, Budapest (Fishermen's bastion, St Mathias church, Europe's largest synagogue)
ISBN
9781852847227
Availability
Published
Published
28 Jan 2015
Reprinted
22 Feb 2019
Edition
First
Pages
272
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.50cm
Weight
300g
Overview
This guide describes the first 1269km of the cycle route that follows the Danube river from its source in the Black Forest to Budapest. Leading through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, the route visits spectacular gorges, hilltop castles, vineyard-clad hillsides and medieval towns.

The route mostly follows part of the EuroVelo route 6 (EV6). This guide breaks the route into 29 stages, averaging under 44km per stage. A fit cyclist, cycling an average of 90km per day should be able to complete the route in a fortnight.

Suitable for all levels of cyclist, on all types of bike, the route is on a gentle downhill gradient, is mostly off-road and uses well-surfaced and dedicated cycle tracks or quiet country roads. You can break the journey at almost any point as there are many places to stay along the way, varying from youth hostels through to B&B's, guest houses and hotels.

The route's highlights include the great imperial cities of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, with their palaces, cathedrals, museums and galleries.
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Mike Wells Cicerone author WELLS

By Mike Wells

Mike Wells has been a keen long-distance walker and cyclist for over 25 years. He has walked all the major British trails, the GR5 through the Alps from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean and has explored the Italian Dolomites’ Alta Via routes. He has also walked in Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Norway and Chilean Patagonia.

Mike has cycled the C2C route across northern England and Lon Las Cymru in Wales, as well as the Camino and Ruta de la Plata to Santiago de la Compostela. He has completed an end to end traverse of Cuba, a circumnavigation of Iceland and a trip across Lapland to the North Cape.

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