The Danube Explorer

Our route, from the source at Donauschingen (Donau is the German word for the Danube) to Budapest, one of Europe’s truly great cities, follows the river for over 800 miles on a superb combination of dedicated cycle paths and quiet country roads.

The ‘Danube Way’ is one of Europe’s most cycled routes and easily the most popular river route, taking in much of Bavarian Germany and Austria, passing briefly through Slovakia and ending in Hungary. In theory the river can be followed for a further 1000+ miles, all the way to the Black Sea, but our route ends in magnificent Budapest.

Do not be deterred by the occasional longer day, this trip is perfect for riders of all abilities with virtually flat riding for the entire distance, a traffic-free route, and near-perfect signposting for those who are daunted by navigation!

We will collect clients from Zurich airport, with it’s good range of international connections, for the 50 mile transfer to Donauschingen, where the output from a small spring feeds into the confluence of the Briach and Breg rivers to become the Danube. From here we head east, following the meanderings of the river through the Black Forest and Bavaria, all the way to Passau, gateway to Austria. The trip includes a rest day, either in Passau or the following day in Austrian Linz.

Although we spend only 3 nights in Austria, one of them is in the heart of Vienna and we have adjusted the itinerary so that the following day is short, allowing time for some sight-seeing before hitting the ‘road’ (actually a superb cycle path).

We spend just one night in Slovakia but it is in the fascinating capital – Bratislava – after which we follow the southern, Hungarian, edge of the river all the way to Budapest where we spend our last night. The following morning we offer transfers to Budapest’s airport, a short 12 mile drive.