Day 1 Individual arrival in Donaueschingen
“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.
Overnight stay in Donaueschingen
Day 2 Donaueschingen – Rottweil, approx. 30 km
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.
Overnight stay in Rottweil
Day 3 Rottweil – Sulz/Glatt, approx. 35/45 km
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.
Overnight stay in Sulz/Glatt
Day 4 Sulz/Glatt – Tübingen, approx. 55/50 km
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.
Overnight stay in Tübingen
Day 5 Tübingen – Esslingen, approx. 55 km
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.
Overnight stay in Esslingen
Day 6 Esslingen – Marbach/Freiberg, approx. 40/45 km
Today you can try the healing waters in the mineral spa resort in Stuttgart-Canstatt and take a break. Further down the river you cycle past lovely terraced vineyards and the royal summer residence at Ludwigsburg. The Neckar valley as home to poets and philosophers is felt most in Marbach, where Friedrich Schiller was born. In the newly renovated Schiller museum you can find out all about the poet.
Overnight stay in Marbach/Freiberg
Day 7 Marbach – Heilbronn/Neckarsulm, approx. 45/55 km
Cycling past picturesque vineyards, you follow the bends of the river to Lauffen, where you can allow yourself a little sip of the delicious Katzenbeißer wine (cat biter!). Another important wine-growing and wine-trading centre is Heilbronn. The large town is shaped by a mixture of historic and modern buildings. You continue along romantic roads past castles to Neckarsulm.
Overnight stay in Heilbronn/Neckarsulm
Day 8 Heilbronn/Neckarsulm – Eberbach, approx. 60/55 km
Worthy of a visit is the NSU museum featuring exhibits of historic bicycles and cars. As you approach Bad Wimpfen you will be amazed by the breath-taking views of the town with its many towers and alcoves. Pedaling past terraced vineyards and wooded slopes, you can catch a glimpse of Hornberg Fort. The Staufer town of Eberbach used to be known for its handicraft professions.
Overnight stay in Eberbach
Day 9 Eberbach – Heidelberg, approx. 40 km
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 will be 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.
Overnight stay in Heidelberg
Day 10 Individual departure or extended stay
The big Neckar cycle tour ends after breakfast with your own individual return journey to Donaueschingen or back home. We are very happy to extend your holiday in Heidelberg.
