Colorful half-timbered houses line the Neckar River in Tübingen. A stone bridge with flower boxes crosses the water, with a church tower visible.

Colorful half-timbered buildings line Esslingen's market square with a Gothic church spire in the background under a blue cloudy sky.

Historic fountain with statue in Besigheim market square, surrounded by traditional half-timbered buildings and bicycles under blue sky.

Historic town square in Rottenburg with white church featuring green onion dome and bell tower, surrounded by colorful half-timbered buildings.

Itinerary

"Brigach und Breg bringen die Donau zuweg" is the phrase people say here meaning that the Brigach and Breg rivers jointly form the river Danube. The Romans considered the spring in the parkland of Castle Fürstenberg to be the start of the Danube. The castle, in the style of the Belle Epoque, is an impressive testimony to Fürstenberg Family’s former significance. Reserved rental bicycles are parked at the hotel ready for you.

Up on the high Baar plateau you cycle through beautiful rural scenes between the Black Forest and the Swabian Alb to Bad Next, you continue on to Schwenningen, where you reach the narrow stream waters of the Neckar. You follow the river to Rottweil, Baden-Württemberg's oldest town. It developed from a Roman settlement to a charming town with a medieval centre.

You follow the river north, the Neckar now carving its way deeply through the valley and widening considerably. The few villages along the way are idyllically situated. Of the former majestic Neckar Castle – now only ruins remain. In Oberndorf, you reach the midpoint of today's section. After this town, which is regarded as the capital of the Swabian-Alemanni carnival festivities, you pedal on to Sulz.

You can take your first break in Horb, the gate to the Black Forest, and visit the Schurkenturm tower. And then cycle on to Rottenburg. The town suffered many city fires, which is why its townscape is Baroque rather than Medieval. Now it's not much further to today's destination ‒ Tübingen. It is one of the prettiest towns on the Neckar cycle path and its medieval historic quarter is particularly enchanting.

Leaving the busy university town behind you, you now cycle downstream. You will come across of number of bathing pools you might like to stop at and have a swim. You go past Nürtingen, where the poet, Hölderlin, used to go to School. In Plochingen, we recommend visiting the tower by Hundertwasser. Esslingen is one of the towns that wasn't destroyed during the war, enabling you to enjoy its historic flair.

Today you will reach Stuttgart, the capital of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg and its largest city. Take a break there and visit the Mercedes-Benz Museum or the Old Palace. Continue cycling to Ludwigsburg with its famous baroque palace.

Cycle back to the Neckar and follow the river's twists and turns through picturesque vineyards to Lauffen, where you should treat yourself to a sip of the delicious Katzenbeißer wine. From Heilbronn, a centre of winegrowing and wine trading, cycle along the romantic Burgenstraße (Castle Road) to Heilbronn or Neckarsulm.

In Neckarsulm, it is worth visiting the NSU Museum, which houses many historic motorcycles and cars. The stage passes numerous castles, including the seat of Götz von Berlichingen, about whom Goethe wrote a play that is considered a major work of the Sturm und Drang movement. The Staufer town of Eberbach was long characterised by craftsmanship, with sand mining in the quarries being a particular speciality.

The Neckar winds its way through Odenwald forest and depending on which side of the river you're cycling on, either through the county of Baden-Württemberg or Hessen. In Neckargemünd, you are able to see glimpses of medieval architecture. The famous university town of Heidelberg awaits you with its famous castle ruin, Baroque buildings in the old part of town and a lively cultural scene.

After breakfast, individual return journey or start of your extension.

Tour character

Easy to moderate

The cycle route does not always run close to the river in the valley, so slight climbs are unavoidable. There are only a few steeper, albeit short, climbs. The well-signposted cycle route leads along quiet country roads and cycle paths. Some short sections have to be travelled on roads with heavier traffic, especially when passing through towns.

Map showing the Neckar Cycle Route with blue river line connecting German cities from Mannheim to Donaueschingen including Stuttgart, Heidelberg.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & extras

Services

Included

9 nights in hotel as described
Breakfast
Travel documents with maps, 1x per room (DE, EN, FR, NL)
GPS data for your navigation device available on request
Luggage transport from hotel to hotel (max. 20kg per piece of luggage)
7-day service hotline

Not included

Arrival and departure
parking fees
Spa and local taxes where applicable
transfers
Optional sightseeing
travel insurance
Expenses for personal use

Extras

Arrival / parking

Free car parks at the Stadtmühle, at the Realschule and at the Fürstenberg-Gymnasium.
Hotel car parks (available in some hotels, subject to a charge).
Railway station: Donaueschingen.
Airports: Zurich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt.
Return transfer on Saturdays between 09:00 and 10:00 in a minibus from Heidelberg to Donaueschingen € 89,- per person. We charge an additional € 46,- for the return transport of your own bike. Booking required.

Hotels

You will stay in selected hotels, mostly in the 3-star category, as well as selected guesthouses and inns. All rooms have a shower/WC or bath/WC.

Further information

Further important information in accordance with the "Pauschalreisegesetz" (Package Travel Act) can be found here!