2025
Sportliche Altmühl- und Donau-Radtour

The Altmühl Bike Tour

Active cycling from Rothenburg to Passau

Rothenburg - Regensburg - Passau

  • Radweg-Reisen Tour
  • Nature Park Altmühl Valley, Schulerloch dripstone cave, Europe´s longest wooden bridge near Essing
  • Daily routes ●●●●●, Altitude profile ●●○○○

Days
8

Ø km per day
70

This active cycle tour takes you along the Altmühl and Danube Rivers on one of the most popular cycle paths in Germany. The towns of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Regensburg will certainly impress you. The route through the romantic Altmühl Valley is impressive and the rural landscape of the Gäuboden region is home to many rare plants and animals. Your destination is the three-river-city of Passau, with its well-preserved old town and attractions including the Stephansdom Cathedral. This athletic Altmühl bike tour is perfect for well trained cyclists who enjoy cycling longer daily routes of about 70 km.

Itinerary

  • Booking code
    BY-RP7-sp
  • Accommodation level
    national 3* level
  • Duration
    8 days / 7 nights
  • Arrival Day
    Daily
  • Travel documents languages
    German, English, Dutch, French
  • Parking information
    Parking lot behind the train station, free of charge. Is often used by commuters and is frequently full during the week
    Hotel parking spaces (available in individual hotels, subject to a charge, details in the travel documents)
Active cycling from Rothenburg to Passau

Day 1: Individual arrival in Rothenburg

Your trip begins in Rothenburg, situated in the Tauber valley. You will find lean towers, flower-clad timber-frame houses and imposing ancient defence facilities. Rothenburg’s well-preserved historic centre, with its intricate alleys, is regarded as the archetypal medieval German town and is particularly popular tourists. Pre-booked rental bikes are ready for you at the hotel.

Rothenburg city wall

View of the Rothenburg city wall

Day 2: Rothenburg - Gunzenhausen, approx. 80 / 90 km

Today you leave the Tauber Valley for the not too distant source of the Altmuehl River. Those who wish can take the detour past the Ansbach Residence or can cycle directly to the small medieval town of Herrieden. You then continue on to Gunzenhausen in the Franconian Lake District. Numerous excavations have proven that the beautiful town was also the site of a pre-historic settlement.

Ansbach Residence

The Ansbach Residence

Day 3: Gunzenhausen - Eichstätt, approx. 70 km

Today you cycle towards Graben, a small town which once grabbed attention due to the construction of a canal. After a few kilometres you find yourself in the Franconian Jura. The Valley becomes increasingly narrower and steeper. Forested mountainsides with overhanging limestone cliffs accompany you along the route. Pappenheimer Castle and rock formations such as the 12 Apostles are all located along the route.

Cyclist Willibaldsburg

Cyclists in front of Willibaldsburg Castle near Eichstätt

Day 4: Eichstätt - Riedenburg, approx. 75 km

You pass through a charming nature park, the heart of the Altmuehl Valley. The imposing Kipfenberg Castle is a great place for a short break. You then continue on through Beilngries, a beautifully-preserved medieval town, towards Riedenburg, which is also known as the pearl of the Altmuehl Valley. The sounds museum is worth a visit with original sound reproduction equipment and devices.

Prunn Castle Riedenburg

View of Prunn Castle near Riedenburg

Day 5: Riedenburg - Regensburg, approx. 55 km

You speedily cycle along the canal towards Essing, which is home to Europe’s longest wooden bridge und the secretive Schulerloch, a dripstone cave which functions as a winter hideaway for bats. In Kelheim, you have reached the river Danube. On the Danube cycle path, your journey take you to Regensburg, quite possibly Germany’s most beautiful city, whose medieval core is shaped by the Cathedral, the Salzstadel and the Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge).

Regensburg Cathedral

View of the Danube and Regensburg Cathedral

Day 6: Regensburg - Deggendorf, approx. 90 km

Don’t shy away from the steep approach to the Walhalla, opened by Louis I in 1842. Today’s stage takes you further along the Danube, which lavishly meanders through the vast plains. Via Straubing, you are cycling through the Gäuboden region towards Bogen, where a figurine of a pregnant Madonna was discovered in 1104. Soon after you reach Deggendorf, the Gate to the Bavarian Forest.

 

Church tower Deggendorf

Church tower in Deggendorf

Day 7: Deggendorf - Passau, approx. 55 km

Before you leave Deggendorf and cycle on along the Danube, you shouldn`t miss a visit to the old town. On your way you are passing through Vilshofen and arrive at the Three River City and former bishop`s residence of Passau. Take time to discover the Danube, Inn and Ilz by boat and round off your night with a stroll through the old town or a visit to the Veste Oberhaus.

Passau

View across the Danube to Passau

Day 8: Individual departure

After breakfast your sportive Altmühl bike tour comes to an end and you return home or back to Rothenburg. We would also be more than happy to extend your holiday along one of the two rivers.

Passau

Evening atmosphere on the banks of the Danube in Passau

Dates / Prices / Services

Season times and Prices 2025

Arrival daily from 05.04.2025 to 12.10.2025Early booking discount: -20 €

Bookable dates are displayed in the booking form. The day of arrival determines the season time.

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Season A
05.04.
12.10.
from799 €
Season B
06.04. - 11.04.
21.04. - 25.04.
04.05. - 09.05.
21.09. - 11.10.
from949 €
Season C
12.04. - 20.04.
26.04. - 03.05.
10.05. - 23.05.
22.06. - 04.07.
24.08. - 20.09.
from1049 €
Season D
24.05. - 21.06.
05.07. - 23.08.
from1149 €

All prices per person in a double room

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Services

  • 7 nights with breakfast, national 3*-level
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel to Passau, no limit on the number of pieces, max. 20 kg / pieces
  • Travel documents with maps (1 x per room)
  • Service hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
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Not included is the city or visitor's tax (if payable).

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Additional services

Additional bookable services

Additional fee single room

299 €

All prices are per person

Additional nights

Room
Breakfast
Price
Passau
 DBL

69 €

 SGL

109 €

Rothenburg
 DBL

79 €

 SGL

109 €

All prices are per person

The prices for additional nights in other places can be found in the booking form.

 

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Rental bikes

Rental Bikes

Rental Bike
Rental Bike
99 €
30-gear rental bike
30-Gear Rental Bike
169 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
269 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 10-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men's bike from 1.80 m)
  • 30-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men's bike from 1.80 m)
  • Electric bike / pedelec with freewheel (minimum age for e-bike rental: 16 years)
Fittings

Luggage bag, handlebar bag, odometer, bike lock, air pump, puncture repair kit

Here you will find more information and photos of our rental bikes

Radweg-Reisen 10-gear unisex bike
10-gear unisex bike derailleur gears with freewheel
Radweg-Reisen 10-gear men´s bike
10-gear men's bike derailleur gears with freewheel
Radweg-Reisen 30-gear unisex bike
30-gear unisex bike derailleur gears with freewheel, trapezoidal frame
Radweg-Reisen 30-gear men's bike
30-gear men's bike derailleur gears with freewheel, diamond frame
Radweg-Reisen E-bike
Unisex E-bike, 8-gear hub gears, freewheel

Route profile

  • Start / Destination
    Rothenburg ob der Tauber / Passau
  • Length
    approx. 440 km
    Daily routes ●●●●●
    between 55 and 90 km, Ø 70 km
    Altitude profile ●●○○○
    between 160 and 430 m, Ø 350 m elevation gain
  • Tour operated by
    Radweg-Reisen
  • Mobility note
    This tour is only partially suitable for people with limited mobility.
    Just contact us regarding your individual needs.

Days
8

Ø km per day
70