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Our Passau to Vienna Cycling Break covers the most popular stretch of the Danube in just 4 cycling days on level, riverside cycle paths. Along the way you’ll see the Danube Loop at Schlögen, the city of Linz, the baroque town of Grein, the sublime wine villages of the Wachau Valley, the medieval town of Krems and of course the Imperial City of Vienna.
Created for capable cyclists, this 5 day itinerary follows the same route as our seven day Passau to Vienna Cycling Holiday but covers around 80kms per day, as opposed to 48kms per day, on the classic version.
Danube Loop at Schlögen
You’ll follow a lovely, level, riverside cycle path, pass some incredible natural wonders as well as some charming medieval towns and villages, as you make your way downstream.
Starting from Passau – the City of Three Rivers – you’ll take in the wide, sweeping Danube Loop at Schlögen, the serene peace and quiet of the Strudengau and the magnificent abbey at Melk.
The charming wine villages of the magical Wachau Valley will tempt you to stop and enjoy the hospitality of their many quaint wine taverns, before pedaling on to the lovely old town of Krems.
Finally, you arrive in the Imperial City of Vienna, a fascinating, diverse city with a unique history and culture.
Check in to your hotel and then take a stroll through the “City of Three Rivers”, so named because this is the point at which the the Inn and Ilz rivers flow into the Danube. The narrow cobbled streets and pretty squares of the old town are a delight to explore and we also recommend a climb to Veste Oberhaus, a medieval fortress and museum that offers a fantastic, panoramic view of the town and rivers.
Your first day’s ride follows the Upper Danube Valley to Enghartszell, a small riverside village. Nearby there is a monastery inhabited by silent but enterprising Trappist monks who make and sell some rather good liquors. Then it’s on to Schlögen where you can admire the famous Danube Loop, a scenic 180 degree turn in the river. You then follow the river through a peaceful narrow gorge where nature still holds sway, before emerging into a wide valley punctuated by castles and pretty villages. Your destination today is the small village of Brandstatt where you will stop for the night.
The riverside cycle path leads you to the bustling city of Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. From here you enjoy fast progress on the idyllic riverside cycle path through pristine countryside. In Mauthausen you may wish to make a short detour up the hill to the site of the concentration camp memorial - a thought provoking place. After more, idyllic riverside cycling you arrive in the the pretty village of Grein, with it's impressive castle. You'll stop for the night here or in a nearby village.
The day starts with an idyllic ride through the Strudengau, a very quiet and peaceful stretch of the river. Not long afterwards, you'll pass the beautiful church of Maria Taferl perched on the hillside above the river. Shortly after that, the imposing abbey at Melk comes into view. The town stands at the entrance to the Wachau Valley which many consider to be the most beautiful stretch of the whole river. Vineyards cascade down the hillsides and ancient castle ruins perch on the hilltops. You’ll pass through a succession of charming wine villages such as Spitz, Weißenkirchen and Dürnstein – their winding streets and welcoming taverns tempting you to stop for a break. You’ll stop for the night in the pleasant town of Krems at the end of the Wachau Valley.
The final day in the saddle leads you first to the pleasant town of Tulln and then on, through the Wiener Wald (Vienna Woods). The tall spires of the monastery at Klosterneuburg are a tell-tale that Vienna is not far away and before long you are riding along the riverbank into the city itself
Once in Vienna, use the rest of the day to explore the beautiful city. The Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Imperial Palace are popular highlights. You may also want to take in the ‘Riesenrad’, the giant ferris wheel made famous in the 1949 British film, ‘The Third Man’. And no trip to Vienna would be complete without enjoying a coffee and cake in one of its convivial and elegant coffee houses.
After breakfast it’s time to head for home or your next adventure.
Regular bikes provided are modern alloy framed models with 21 speeds. The bikes come equipped with pannier and lock. There is also one handlebar provided per room.
Electric bikes are also available.
Helmets are not provided and we therefore recommend bringing your own.
Below you will find examples of the types of accommodation typically used on this tour. Please note that the hotels we book for you may differ slightly from those described but they will certainly be of a similar standard.
Superior: Good quality 3 and 4 star properties
Local taxes: Some hotels have started to charge a local/tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or checkout at the hotels. The fee varies and is frequently changing but as a guide, you may be asked to pay between €1-€4 per person per night.
Fly to Munich or Vienna (Salzburg or Linz are also possibilities). From Munich airport the train journey to Passau, with one change, will take about 2 hrs 40 minutes. From Vienna airport the train journey will be approximately 3 hours.
Fly home from Vienna or take the train from Vienna to Bratislava airport in Slovakia and fly home from there - journey time is approximately 1hr 15 mins.
Research flights from the UK here.
Research train timetables here.
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