The first section runs through magnificent landscapes. The Danube, initially a small river, forms gentle loops. Near Geisingen, the valley narrows, and the Danube's meanders become increasingly impressive. High limestone cliffs with wild, romantic pinnacles line the valley. The Danube Sinkhole between Immendingen and Möhringen is a special natural spectacle of the Upper Danube Nature Park. The Danube then flows along the southern edge of the Swabian Alb, passing numerous castles, monasteries, and palaces along its way. Particularly impressive are Wildenstein Castle, Beuron Abbey, the mighty Princely Castle of Sigmaringen, and the Baroque Obermarchtal Monastery.
The route is mostly flat, with mostly paved paths. Only in the narrow Danube Valley will you encounter some inclines and gravel sections. Beyond Sigmaringen, the Danube widens and flows through a wide valley. In Ehingen, you can turn your back on the Danube and follow a variant through the Blautal valley, discovering the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Caves and Ice Age Art of the Swabian Alb." Ulm, with its magnificent old town, offers a worthy conclusion to the stage.