Hiking is an ever more popular leisure activity, and the Danube region offers numerous options for both escorted and for individual hiking.

Starting this year, the Schwäbische Alb Tourism Association offers “hiking without bags” from Donaueschingen to Donauwörth. The route largely parallels the Danube with occasional diversions into the surrounding country. The 350-kilometer (217-mile) hike is completed in sixteen stages that can be booked individually or as a whole with departures possible every day. The price of EUR 27.50-49.00 per day includes accommodations and breakfast, baggage transport, and material describing the route.
Information: Touristik-Service-Agentur Heinrich Dietmann GmbH, info@touristik-service-agentur.de, Schwäbische Alb Tourismusverband, info@schwaebischealb.de, www.schwaebischealb.de

Guided hiking packages that include accommodations are available for the Bavarian-Upper Austrian Danube Trails. Hikers can also put together their own routes themselves with the help of a new Danube valley guide. Particularly attractive are the all-inclusive brief holiday get-aways that include a hiking arrangement.

The “Donausteig” (Danube Path) project got underway just recently. The initiative envisages laying out a hiking trail on both banks of the Danube in Upper Austria, like that which runs along the Rhine. The 400-kilometer, or almost 250-mile, route is scheduled for completion by 2009 when Linz will be European City of Culture”.
Information: www.donaunatur.com, www.donauradweg.at

Lower Austria has marvelous possibilities for hiking in the Wachau and escorted tours in the wetlands of the Donauauen National Park.
Information: Donau Tourismus GmbH, www.donau.com, www.wachau.at

Blue Danube Tours Bratislava offers three escorted hikes in the Slovak Danube region departing from Bratislava.
Information: Blue Danube Tours, bdt@netax.sk, www.bluedanubetours.sk

Seven new touch-screen information terminals were recently installed at municipal cultural and information centers at different locations all over the Slovak capital including the central railway station, Petrzalka railway station, bus station, airport, cruise ship docks and at the fair grounds. A portable information terminals can set up at different sites as needed.
Information: www.slovakiatourism.sk

A network of particularly attractive hiking routes is to be found around Ilok on the Croatian Danube, leading through the region's lovely riverside landscape and vineyards. One of these routes runs from Ilok to Liska, the highest point in the Fruska Gora range (297 meters/974 feet). Two routes lead through hill country, vineyards and forests. The routes are between five and seven kilometers (three to four miles) in length and are also suitable for the less athletic.
Information: Tourist Association of Ilok, Trg Nikole Ilovkog 2, Ilok, Tel./Fax: +385/32/590-020, 592-966, e-mail: tzilok@post.t-com.hr, www.turizamilok.hr