© Schwäbische Alb
Cycle the Swabian Alb Cycle Path to Lake Constance
Bike Touring Collection by Schwäbische Alb
8
days
3-4 h
/ day
260 mi
17,575 ft
17,625 ft
The Schwäbische Alb Cycle Path takes you on a 417-kilometre (259 mi) journey from Donauwörth to Ludwigshafen on Lake Constance. Along the way, you traverse the Swabian Alb, immersing yourself in its beautiful and diverse landscapes.
While crossing the Swabian Alb, you pass through two meteorite craters – Nördlinger Ries and Steinheimer Becken – conquer numerous peaks of the low mountain range, ride through the spectacular Trailfinger Gorge, and cycle through the unique juniper heath on Raichberg. Additionally, you'll encounter picturesque lakes, secluded valleys, romantic forests, and the typical orchards of the Schwäbische Alb. In addition to these natural highlights, there are numerous cultural gems to explore, such as Lichtenstein Castle, Neresheim Monastery, and historic towns like Nördlingen and Bad Urach.
In this Collection, we'll guide you through the Swabian Alb Cycle Path in eight stages, each ranging from 40 to 60 kilometres (25-37 mi) in length. Although some stages may be relatively short, they often involve significant elevation gain, so good stamina is necessary, unless you have an e-bike.
The stage destinations offer accommodation and food options. As the selection can sometimes be limited, it's worth reserving your accommodations in advance. Some places are also connected to the regional train services. Donauwörth, the starting point, can be easily reached by local and long-distance trains. From Ludwigshafen on Lake Constance, you can depart using regional trains or continue your cycling adventure on the Lake Constance Cycle Path.
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Last updated: May 23, 2023
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Tours
- 03:2332.9 mi9.7 mph1,100 ft850 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The Swabian Alb Cycle Path begins in Donauwörth at the train station. You can get there by local and long-distance trains. So you can travel comfortably by train. Then your bike tour to Lake Constance begins.
At the start you cycle through the city and then leave it along the Wörnitz. On the beautiful…
- 03:0827.3 mi8.7 mph1,925 ft1,875 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
At the beginning of the second stage, a crisp climb awaits you: you climb up from the Nördlinger Ries to the Swabian Alb. Arriving at the top of the plateau, the path continues steadily up and down. You only come through a few sleepy places and immerse yourself alternately in romantic forests and open…
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- 03:3733.6 mi9.3 mph2,200 ft2,400 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
On the third stage of the Swabian Alb Cycle Path, the route from Heidenheim an der Brenz is quite uphill at the beginning. Surrounded by beautiful forest, you cycle over the Rehberg and then roll down into the Steinheim basin. In Sontheim in the Meteor Crater Museum you can take a break and learn how…
- 04:0235.5 mi8.8 mph2,925 ft2,800 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Stunningly beautiful landscapes await you today on your way from Bad Boll to Bad Urach. It starts off moderately, without any major climbs, via Weilheim an der Teck and past the highest vineyard in Württemberg, Limburg, to Neidlingen. A challenging ascent to the high plateau of the Swabian Alb begins…
- 04:1935.2 mi8.2 mph3,400 ft2,400 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Even today you collect a lot of altitude meters again. Most of it on the first half of the stage. From the beginning it goes continuously uphill. A few small descents in between let you breathe again and again.
From Bad Urach you cycle the first kilometers through the Ermstal, then through the enchanting…
- 03:4032.4 mi8.8 mph2,625 ft3,450 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
Your sixth stage begins in Undingen, a district of the Sonnenbühl district. From there you ride continuously up and down through the beautiful landscape of the Swabian Alb. Forests and wide meadows alternate. In between you will discover farms and small towns. You can usually let your gaze wander far…
- 03:2732.1 mi9.3 mph2,175 ft1,775 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
From Balingen you start the seventh stage. Via Endingen and Dotternhausen you cycle up to the Schömberger reservoir. On warm days you can even swim in the water. From here it goes steadily uphill.
Shortly before Delkhofen, a crisp climb awaits you. After you have mastered this, it goes slightly downhill…
- 03:1031.1 mi9.8 mph1,250 ft2,075 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Today is the last stage of the Swabian Alb Cycle Path and it takes you mostly downhill. It starts from Tuttlingen on a flat route and smooth asphalt on the Danube Cycle Path in the direction of Immendingen. Here the Danube seeps away (depending on the season) in the porous rock and later emerges again…
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Collection Stats
- Tours8
- Distance260 mi
- Duration28:46 h
- Elevation17,575 ft17,625 ft
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