2026
Radurlaub am Neckar

Neckar Cycling Holiday

From Donaueschingen to Heidelberg

Donaueschingen – Tübingen – Esslingen Heidelberg

  • Radweg-Reisen Tour
  • Vineyards, Forts, Castles and historical cities
  • By bike through the Black Forest and across Baden-Württemberg!
  • Daily routes ●●○○○, altitude profile ●●●○○

days
10

Ø km per day
45

This Neckar cycling holiday takes you from Donaueschingen to Heidelberg, straight through the whole county of Baden-Württemberg. On this trip, discover the variety of the countryside – the Black Forest and the Swabian Alb for example. On your route, you will also visit the well-known towns of Rottweil, Tübingen or Stuttgart. The Neckar river is your trusty companion all the way! First a small stream, it soon develops into a major river, which is navigable from Plochingen. Expansive riverside meadowland and narrow curving valleys, vineyards, castles and forts – the wonderful mixture of countryside and culture is the particular charm of this tour.

Itinerary

Sie möchten den Radurlaub am Neckar in der Saison 2025 buchen?

Kein Problem, denn wir haben noch freie Termine in diesem Jahr.

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  • Booking code
    NE-DH9
  • Accommodation level
    national 3*-level
  • Duration
    10 days, 9 nights
  • Arrival day
    daily
  • Travel documents Language
    German, English, Dutch, French
  • Print version PDF
    incl. Hotel examples
  • Parking information
    Free parking at the Stadtmühle, at the Realschule and at the Fürstenberg-Gymnasium
    No reservation possible through Radweg-Reisen
    Hotel parking (available in individual hotels, subject to a charge, details in the travel documents)
  • Return to Donaueschingen
    Optional minibus always on Saturdays between 9 – 10 a.m., must be specified when booking.
    If you do not wish to continue directly after the transfer, you can book additional nights in Donaueschingen.
    You can also book the transfer from Heidelberg to Donaueschingen before the cycle tour. This means you can continue your journey from Heidelberg immediately after the tour. Please write us your booking request in the online booking form in the free text field.
    Alternatively on your own by train, connections every hour, duration: approx. 3.5 hours, 1 – 2 changes
Cycling vacation on the Neckar

Day 1: Individual arrival in Donaueschingen

It is said that "Brigach and Breg bring the Danube to us". However, the Romans considered the spring in the park of the Fürstenberg castle to be the source of the Danube. The castle in the Belle Epoque style is an impressive testimony to the former importance of the von Fürstenberg family. It houses an interesting natural history collection and important modern works of painting. Booked rental bikes are available at the hotel on your arrival.

Donauquelle Donaueschingen

The source of the Danube in Donaueschingen

Day 2: Donaueschingen – Rottweil, approx. 35 / 45 km

On the high plateau of the Baar, you cycle through beautiful landscapes between the Black Forest and the Swabian Alb to Bad Dürrheim with its brine springs. The route then continues to Schwenningen, where you reach the Neckar, which is still very narrow. You follow the river to Rottweil, the oldest town in Baden-Württemberg. The Roman foundation developed into a charming town with a medieval core.

 

Rottweil

Rottweil

Day 3: Rottweil – Sulz / Glatt, approx. 30 / 40 km

Northwards you follow the Neckar, which now cuts deep into its valley and becomes ever wider. The few villages along the way are idyllic. Only the ruins of the once majestic Neckarburg castle are visible today. In Oberndorf, you have already completed half of today's stage. From the stronghold of the Swabian-Alemannic carnival, the route continues to Sulz.

 

Sulz am Neckar

Sulz am Neckar | ©Thomas Bichler

Day 4: Sulz – Tübingen, approx. 55 / 45 km

You can make your first stop today in Horb, the gateway to the Black Forest, and visit the Schurkenturm tower. Then cycle on to Rottenburg. Due to numerous town fires, the town is not medieval but baroque in style. Now it is not far to your destination for the day, Tübingen. It is one of the most beautiful towns on the Neckar Cycle Path and enchants with its medieval old town.

Tuebingen

Tuebingen

Day 5: Tübingen – Esslingen, approx. 55 km

Leaving the lively university town behind you, you cycle down the Neckar. First you pass beautiful bathing lakes where you can refresh yourself, then you pass Nürtingen. The poet Hölderlin went to school here. Art lovers should visit the Hundertwasser Tower in Plochingen. Esslingen was not destroyed during the war, so you can still enjoy the historical flair here.

 

Old Town Esslingen

The old town of Esslingen

Day 6: Esslingen – Ludwigburg, approx. 35 km

This stage is very varied. First you come to Stuttgart, the home of Porsche, Spätzle and Maultaschen. You can visit the Mercedes-Benz Museum or the Old Palace and then cycle down the Neckar past vineyards to the royal summer residence of Ludwigsburg, which is also known as the "Swabian Versailles". A visit is like a walk through a living fairy tale of splendor, history and garden art.

Stuttgart State Theater

The State Theater in Stuttgart

Day 7: Ludwigsburg – Heilbronn / Neckarsulm, approx. 55 / 60 km

Through picturesque vineyards, the route winds along the river to Lauffen. Here you can treat yourself to a sip of the delicious Katzenbeißer. Heilbronn is also a center of viticulture and wine trade and is characterized by a harmonious juxtaposition of historic and modern buildings. Continue along the romantic Castle Road to Heilbronn and Neckarsulm

.

Lauffen Castle Museum

The castle museum in Lauffen am Neckar

Day 8: Heilbronn – Mosbach / Eberbach, approx. 40 – 60 km

Before you set off, there is plenty of time to visit the NSU Museum with its historic two-wheelers and cars. The stage takes you past numerous castles, including the seat of Götz von Berlichingen, the famous knight with the iron hand. Bad Wimpfen offers a legendary sight with its many oriels and towers. You cycle past numerous other castles and picturesque views to the half-timbered town of Mosbach and possibly on to the Staufer town of Eberbach.

Bad Wimpfen

Cyclists in Bad Wimpfen

Day 9: Eberbach – Heidelberg, approx. 60 / 35 km

The Neckar now meanders through the Odenwald. Depending on which side of the river you are cycling on Baden or Hessian territory. You pass the four-castle town of Neckarsteinach. In Neckargemünd, you will be impressed by the medieval architecture. Heidelberg welcomes you with a baroque old town and the castle ruins. You can easily reach the residence by cable car and enjoy the view in a relaxed manner.

 

Heidelberg

View of the castle in Heidelberg

Day 10: Individual departure

After breakfast, your cycle tour on the Neckar Cycle Path ends and you travel home. We are also happy to extend your vacation in Heidelberg.

Heidelberg

View of the Old Bridge and the castle in Heidelberg

Dates / Prices / Services

Season times and prices 2026

Arrival daily from 01.04.2026 to 11.10.2026Early booking discount: -20 €

Bookable dates are shown in the booking form. The season is dictated by the arrival date.

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Season A
01.04. - 03.04.
12.04. - 18.04.
04.10. - 11.10.
from1079 €
Season B
04.04. - 11.04.
19.04. - 25.04.
27.09. - 03.10.
from1279 €
Season C
26.04. - 22.05.
07.06. - 03.07.
23.08. - 26.09.
from1479 €
Season D
23.05. - 06.06.
04.07. - 22.08.
from1579 €

All prices per person in a double room

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Services

  • 9 nights with breakfast, national 3*-level
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel to Heidelberg, no limit on the number of pieces, max. 20 kg / piece
  • 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 tourist tax, if due

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Children discounts

discount-icon discount-icon-baby

From 0 to 5 years

-100%

discount-icon discount-icon-lego

From 6 to 11 years

-50%

discount-icon discount-icon-football

From 12 to 14 years

-25%

discount-icon discount-icon-joystick

From 15 to 17 years

-10%

Applies to accommodation in a room with two full-paying adults.

Due to the challenging stages, we only recommend this trip for young people with good stamina.

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Additional services

Additional bookable services

Additional fee single room

369 €

Return transfer Heidelberg - Donaueschingen excl. own bike (Sat)

89 €

Return transfer Heidelberg - Donaueschingen incl. own bike (Sat)

135 €

All prices are per person

Additional nights

Room
Breakfast
Price
Donaueschingen
 DBL

65 €

 SGL

95 €

Heidelberg
 DBL

89 €

 SGL

125 €

All prices are per person

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

 

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Rental bikes

Rental Bikes

Rental Bike
27-Gear Rental Bike
99 €
30-gear rental bike
30-Gear Rental Bike
179 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
289 €
Teenager's bike
Teenager's bike
49 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 27-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men’s bike from 1.75 m)
  • 30-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men’s bike from 1.80 m)
  • E-bike / pedelec with freewheel (minimum age for e-bike rental: 16 years)
  • Teenager's bike 
Fittings

Pannier, handlebar bag, milometer, bike lock, pump, repair kit

Here you find further information and pictures of our rental bikes.

Radweg-Reisen 27-gear unisex bike
27-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel
Radweg-Reisen 27-gear men's bike
27-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 with freewheel
Teenager's bike
26 inch teenager's bike

Route profile

  • Start / Destination
    Donaueschingen / Heidelberg
  • Length
    approx. 350 km
    Daily routes ●●○○○
    between 30 and 60 km, Ø 45 km
    Altitide profile ●●●○○
    between 130 and 340 hm, Ø 290 hm
  • 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.

days
10

Ø km per day
45