The Danube Cycleway Volume 1

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.

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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.

Table of Contents

Contents
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 (Slovakia)
Hungary
Stage 24 Bratislava to Mosonmagyaróvár
Stage 25 Mosonmagyaróvár to Győr
Stage 26 Győr to Komárom
Stage 27 Komárom to Esztergom
Stage 28 Esztergom to Szentendre
Stage 29 Szentendre to Budapest

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

Updates

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December 2020

Author updates

Mike Wells has provided the following updates

Danube Cycleway volume 1 update Dec20 (155.352 KB)

June 2016

Route updates and corrections

p116 end of line 12;Follow road winding through village then turn L at T-junction (Am Krautgarten) should be ......turn R at T-junction......

p233 last line;to run between main road R and river L should be .....main road L and river R......

The phone number provided for The Map Shop in Upton upon Severn is printed incorrectly and should read 01684 593146

March 2106

The length of the Danube is given in the Introduction as 2888km. This was based on an earlier measurement of the river before 20th-century shortenings were taken into account and that the author now believes that 2772km (as stated in Vol 2) to be a better estimate of the Danube's length.

Reviews

February 2015

"mike wells, in keeping with his companion cicerone guides, provides not only exemplary pedal by pedal instructions on how you too might enjoy the danube cycleway, but impeccable advice on how to prepare prior to commencing your journey...

the detailing and directions accompanying each stage of riding, along with remarkably informative maps do not make for a book that you'd read in the bath, but this may be an intrinsic part of its strategy. these guides are for those who actively participate, rather than the armchair cyclo-tourist, and is all the better for it.

cicerone appear to have modernised the appearance of their excellent guidebooks, the covers now looking less like forgotten items from the late 19th century and now sporting a more impressive contemporary look."

Read more on thewashingmachinepost.

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"These guides are fantastic and I have yet to find anything in English which does a better job. eBook versions are also available (which may be a more practical solution when you are riding the route, have a bike mount for your phone and don’t have three hands…)."

Read the full review on the Cycling Europe website.

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"The usual Cicerone format is followed beginning with an introduction to the route and advice on how and when to ride it... Food, accommodation, equipment and other maps and – very generously – guides are all covered. The development of on-line mapping is reflected in the link to an Open Street Maps version of Eurovelo Route 6. Detailed route description with snippets of information and more detailed panels on the main towns, cities and places of interest, form the main part of the book. Summary charts of possible stages, accommodation, refreshments opportunities and useful sources of information follow.

Of course, when describing a route of this length, it will never be possible to cover much, other than directions, in significant detail. Cyclists will all find some excursions of their own, in any case. So, it is the task of the guide to introduce the reader to the Danube and sow the seeds of exploration and anticipation. This guide does this admirably."

See the full review here: http://sevendaycyclist.co.uk/the-danube-cycleway-volume-one/

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