When we took over the hotel in 2023, one thing was clear: dogs belong here. Not as “tolerated” but as a real part of our guests. Since then we’ve heard the same question again and again: “Where can we cycle nicely with our dog?” The answer lies five minutes from our driveway: on the Danube cycle path.
Here are the five stages we recommend most often – including honest assessment, length, dog-suitability and where to stop for food.
1. Sinzing → Regensburg old town (10 km)
The shortest and most popular loop. Almost completely along the water, no climb, car-free. Ideal for warming up.
- Length: 10 km one-way, 20 km round trip
- Dog-suitability: very good – wide paths, many water access points to the Danube
- Stop: Spitalgarten (brewery, dog baskets at the table), Café Orphée in the old town
- Tip: Cycle before 10 am, then Spitalgarten is empty and shady
2. Sinzing → Walhalla (15 km)
A bit more demanding – 80 metres of climb to Walhalla. Fine for fit dogs, otherwise trailer.
- Length: 15 km one-way, 30 km round trip
- Dog-suitability: in summer, medium dogs not at the top – the marble heats up
- Stop: Gasthof Rohrer in Donaustauf (dog-friendly, shade)
- Tip: If you don’t want to climb up: stay below at the Danube, take photos
3. Sinzing → Kelheim / Danube Gorge (30 km)
Our personal favourite. The route goes through the Labertal valley and then along the Danube to Kelheim. Long but almost completely flat.
- Length: 30 km one-way – as a day trip with return by train (Regensburg ab Saal/Donau)
- Dog-suitability: good with breaks – three swimming spots for the dog along the way
- Stop: Weltenburg Monastery (courtyard, dogs allowed, world’s oldest monastery beer)
- Tip: Cross the Danube Gorge by Zillenfähre (small ferry) – dog can come, costs €4
4. Sinzing → Bad Abbach (12 km)
The underdog. Hardly anyone cycles south – we love it all the more. Empty paths, old trees, thermal bath at the destination (for owners, not the dog 😉).
- Length: 12 km one-way
- Dog-suitability: excellent – shade, few people, lots of grass
- Stop: Café Schloss Bad Abbach with beer garden
- Tip: On the way back, short stop at the ferry landing in Oberndorf
5. The family day: Sinzing → Prüfening → Regensburg-Süd (20 km)
Perfect with kids and dog. We often start our own days off this way.
- Length: 20 km loop
- Dog-suitability: very good
- Stop: Inselspitze beer garden Unterer Wöhrd (dog water bowl at every entrance)
- Tip: Ice cream parlour Eismanufaktur Dolce Vita by the Danube – they also have dog ice cream
Practical dog tips for the Danube cycle path
Equipment
- Trailer instead of basket if the dog > 8 kg
- Water at least 1 L extra for the dog – even in rain
- Folding bowl (weighs nothing, saves the day)
- Poo bags – not all beer gardens have bins right at the table
- Dog towel for wet paws before entering a restaurant
Quiet hours
In high summer don’t cycle between 11 am and 3 pm – asphalt becomes 50 °C, paws are sensitive. In the shade of riverside trees it stays 8–10 degrees cooler.
Dog station at the hotel
We have a small dog corner at our reception: bowl, blanket, towel, tick remover, vet’s emergency number. Use it gladly.
Anyone travelling with a dog plans differently. With us at the forest edge in Sinzing, the loveliest cycle loops start right outside the door – and after the day there’s the smell of forest in your room. See rooms · book direct.
