Cycling Holiday along Altmühl and Danube
Unhurried cycling from Rothenburg to Passau
- Radweg-Reisen Tour
- Bishop's and baroque town Eichstätt, dripstone cave Schulerloch, blue lakes, imposing rock formations
- Daily routes ●●●○○, altitude profile ●●○○○
Days
11
Ø km per day
50
This extended cycling holiday leads you through Franconia and Lower Bavaria. You will start off cycling along the Tauber River and then along the Altmühl and Danube Rivers. Rothenburg, Eichstätt, Regensburg and Passau are well preserved historical cities along the tour, which otherwise runs through scenic countryside. The Walhalla Temple high above the Danube is worth a visit. At the end of your trip, in Passau, you can enjoy a boat trip along the three rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz. This Altmuehl and Danube cycling tour is also suitable for those who do not cycle often.
Itinerary
- Booking code
BY-RP10 - Start / Destination
Rothenburg ob der Tauber / Passau - Duration
11 days / 10 nights - Length
approx. 450 km
Daily routes ●●●○○
between 35 and 60 km, Ø 50 km
Altitude profile ●●○○○
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.
Day 2: Rothenburg – Ansbach, approx. 50 km
Today you can opt for a diversion to the source of the Altmühl before taking a first break in Colmberg. The mighty, well-preserved castle towers over the town – the climb is steep, but worth it! Then continue on to the margravial seat of Ansbach. Visit the princely crypt here or take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque orangery in Ansbach's courtyard garden.
Day 3: Ansbach – Wettelsheim / Treuchtlingen, approx. 60 km
Cycle through fields and meadows to Lake Altmühlsee, which is ideal for sailing and surfing, but also for swimming. Countless sunbathing spots and beaches invite you to take a break. In Gunzenhausen, you will have reached the centre of the Franconian Lake District. The historic marketplace is adorned with impressive Baroque buildings. Cycle further through rural areas to reach today’s destination.
Day 4: Wettelsheim – Eichstätt, approx. 50 km
Behind Treuchtlingen the Altmühl Valley gets narrower, as the river has carved its path deep into the Jurassic rock. The Twelve Apostles are one of the most impressive rock formations. In Pappenheim, you will be greeted by the eponymous castle, which is one of Bavaria’s most important medieval castle ruins. Follow the river bends of the Altmühl to reach your next destination, the episcopal see and baroque town Eichstätt.
Day 5: Eichstätt – Kinding-Enkering, approx. 35 km
After breakfast you have enough time for a stroll through Eichstätt. The main town of the Altmühl valley owes its baroque townscape mainly to Graubünden master builders who rebuilt the town after the Thirty Years' War. Then you cycle through the charming nature park characterised by juniper heath and past the imposing Kipfenberg Castle. Your destination is the small, dreamy village of Kinding-Enkering, at the confluence of the Anlauter, Schwarzach and Altmühl rivers.
Day 6: Kinding-Enkering – Riedenburg, approx. 40 km
Before you get back in the saddle, visit a very special building in Kinding: the Kirchenburg. A church was established in the fortified castle as early as the 14th century. From Beilngries you cycle the last few kilometres along the Altmühl before the river first flows into the Main-Danube Canal at Dietfurt. Dietfurt is also called the Chinese town. A fountain in front of the market square picks up on the legend. Today's destination is the tranquil town of Riedenburg, guarded by three castles.
Day 7: Riedenburg – Regensburg, approx. 60 km
An eventful stage lies ahead of you. Let the charming landscape pass you by. Shortly before Kelheim lies Schulerloch. The 420 m long stalactite cave offers magical insights into the world of stalactites and stalagmites. Kelheim is home to Bavaria's oldest still existing wheat beer brewery. Via Saal and Bad Abbach, the large town at the northernmost point of the Danube with a charming old town, you cycle to Regensburg.
Day 8: Regensburg – Straubing, approx. 50 km
We can recommend taking your first break in Walhalla, close to Donaustauf. The route then takes you on along the Danube to Castle Wörth. From here you can look over the Gäuboden, or Bavaria's granary and one of the largest loess regions in South Germany. Today’s section ends in the old city of Straubing, which looks back on Celtic and Roman roots. The town’s striking tower is this small town’s land mark.
Day 9: Straubing – Deggendorf, approx. 40 km
Today you first cycle through Bogen, which became known when a statue of the pregnant Madonna was found here in 1104. The Church of the Assumption on Bogenberg is the oldest pilgrimage church of the Madonna in Bavaria. The tour takes you on through Pfelling and Mariaposching to the Benedictine Abbey in Metten. Deggendorf is your destination today. Gothic and baroque styles characterise the unusual pear-shaped site of the old town.
Day 10: Deggendorf – Passau, approx. 55 km
This section takes you to the small historic town of Vilshofen. It is famous largely due to the Ash Wednesday speeches given here by the former chairman of the CSU political party, Franz Josef Strauß. You will soon reach your destination of the three-rivers town and former diocese, Passau. Discover the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz by boat and let your day come to a pleasant end with a walk through the historic city centre or a visit to the fortress Veste Oberaus.
Dates / Prices / Services
For our younger cyclists
discount-icon discount-icon-football |
From 12 to 17 years |
-25% |
Additional services
Additional bookable services
Additional fee single room |
379 € |
Additional nights
Room
|
Breakfast
|
Price
|
|
---|---|---|---|
Ansbach
|
DBL |
|
69 € |
SGL |
|
105 € |
|
Eichstätt
|
DBL |
|
59 € |
SGL |
|
89 € |
|
Kinding-Enkering
|
DBL |
|
55 € |
SGL |
|
95 € |
|
Passau
|
DBL |
|
69 € |
SGL |
|
99 € |
|
Riedenburg
|
DBL |
|
55 € |
SGL |
|
85 € |
|
Rothenburg
|
DBL |
|
69 € |
SGL |
|
105 € |
|
Treuchtlingen
|
DBL |
|
55 € |
SGL |
|
95 € |
|
Wettelsheim
|
DBL |
|
55 € |
SGL |
|
95 € |
|
other places
|
DBL |
|
65 € |
SGL |
|
95 € |
Rental bikes
Rental Bikes
Types of rental bikes
- 27-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men’s bikes from 1.75 m)
- Electric bike / Pedelec with freewheel (minimum age 16 years)
- Teenager's bike (26 inch)
Fittings
Pannier, handlebar bag, milometer, bike lock, pump, repair kit
Here you find further information and pictures of our rental bikes.
27-gear rental bike |
99 € |
E-bike / pedelec |
259 € |
Teenager's bike |
49 € |
Brief info
- Booking code
BY-RP10 - Start / Destination
Rothenburg ob der Tauber / Passau - Duration
11 days / 10 nights - Length
approx. 450 km
Daily routes ●●●○○
between 35 and 60 km, Ø 50 km
Altitude profile ●●○○○ - Parking information
Parking behind the train station, free of charge; this option is often used by commuters and therefore frequently occupied during the week.
No reservation possible through Radweg-Reisen - Return to Rothenburg
On your own by train, connections every 2 hours, 3 changes, duration approx. 3.5 hours - Tour operated by
Radweg-Reisen - Mobility note
The trip is only conditionally suitable for people with limited mobility.
Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding your individual needs. - Print version PDF