Biking the Danube -- Bike Day 2

My Donauradweg Bicycle Ride 2025

NAVIGATION

Rest Day

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

An Extra Day in Tuttlingen

When I woke up in Tuttlingen, my left knee was swollen up like a grapefruit. I sincerely hoped this would not mean the quick end to my bike ride. I went down to the hotel front desk and arranged to keep my room for one more day. The hotel had an ice machine so I filled a bag with ice. I spent most of the day in bed with the ice bag on my knee. When it was time for dinner, I did not want to walk too far. Fortunately, there was a Döner cafe just around the corner. I ordered some lamacun (Döner meat over bread pieces with tomato sauce) for take-out and had dinner in my hotel room.

Bike Day 2

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Tuttlingen to Sigmaringen

When I woke up on Thursday, my left knee was back to normal and any soreness was gone. I decided to try for the town of Sigmaringen, about 55 km away. This would be a day of many hills. The first big hill was the town of Mühlheim an der Donau. This was also the start of the Donautal, a narrow valley with many limestone cliffs. Although the bike trail followed the river below Mühlheim, I chose to ride up to the town to see its old town center and half-timbered town hall.

The Danube below the town of Mühlheim

Mühlheim Town Square and Half-Timbered Town Hall

Riding down from Mühlheim and following the river, my next hill challenge was the town of Beuron. Beuron was on the bike trail and could not be bypassed. Approaching Beuron, the trail passed the large St. Martin Abbey. Leaving Beuron, the trail gradually made its way down to the river. A little past Beuron, the hilltop castle of Werenwag could be seen across the river. Parts of the trail then became gravel and passed through densely wooded areas along the river.

The Bike Trail Approaching Beuron

Beuron - St. Martin Abbey

Beuron - Schloss Werenwag

After Beuron, the trail continues several kilometers along the river, passing the towns of Hausen im Tal, Gutenstein, and Inzigkofen. There were several small hills along the route and several gravel trail sections. My biggest hill challenge came as the trail approached Sigmaringen from Inzigkofen. A long hill brings one up to the Ehemaliges Kloster abbey. Here, the trail passes through the abbey complex, going through gates in one of the abbey buildings. From the abbey, the trail runs downhill to the river and the approach to Sigmaringen.

Entering Sigmaringen, the first thing one sees is the huge Hohenzollern Castle that dominates the town. The trail follows along the south bank of the river through the town. Just before reaching the castle, there is a bridge crossing to the north bank of the river. I took this bridge over to Karl's Hotel, a large modern hotel set along the river. This would be my accommodation for the night. At this hotel, I could have used their hot tub but the hills really wiped me out so I chose to go to sleep early. I had a beer and a complementary jar of peanuts for dinner at the hotel bar.