Max Scharnböck has paddled the Danube in the tour since 1988, and while every part of the Danube has unique charms, "I think the section at the Iron Gate is my favourite," he says.

The tour is gruelling, participants paddle 40 to 60 kilometres each day. But the landscape, they say, is worth the effort.

To celebrate the Tour International Danubian's 50th anniversary, more than 300 boaters in canoes, kayaks and rowboats will paddle down the Danube on a 65-day journey. This man-powered tour embarks for Danube Day, June 25, and takes participants from Ingolstadt, Germany, to Silistra, Bulgaria.

Or rather, they take themselves on this 2,082-kilometre adventure. No motorboats are allowed on the tour, and participants face tough physical and mental challenges. Camping on the riverbanks along the way, they will paddle an average of 40 to 60 kilometres a day and spend five to seven hours each day in their boats.

But the experience is worth the effort. "The landscape is by far the biggest draw," says organiser Max Scharnböck. "By travelling slowly through the landscape, you can take your time to enjoy your surroundings and the beauty of nature." Visitors return each year to reconnect with their river and discover the unseen riches of this unique European landscape.

An official river guide will accompany the tour, providing a background and history to the significant sights along the way. Organisers have planned a number of exciting excursions, including city sightseeing tours, trips to the Bavarian Forest, and even a BMW factory tour. The tour is open to all water-touring enthusiasts. For more information or to register to participate, visit the Deutschen Kanu-Verband at www.kanu.de.

Kirstie Shepherd
is a freelance journalist and the Editor of Danube Watch.
She has called the Danube River Basin home since 2000.