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The classic Danube cycle route. Cycle along what many consider to be the most beautiful stretch of the Danube river as it wends it’s way through Upper and Lower Austria along beautiful, fertile valleys, past charming medieval villages to the elegant city of Vienna.
The original, and still one of the most popular long distance leisure rides in Europe, the Danube cycle path is an easy, mostly traffic-free route along level paths close to the mighty river. Starting from Passau on the German/Austrian border, you follow the river downstream past the majestic Danube Loop, the medieval City of Linz and through the stunning Wachau Valley.
Along the way you can stop to explore charming riverside villages such as Grein, Spitz, Weißenkirchen and Dürnstein. At times you will cycle through open plains and meadows while other stretches lead you through steep-sided valleys lined with cascading vineyard terraces. At the end of the journey, elegant Vienna awaits to enthrall and fascinate.
Easy cycling on traffic free cycle paths.
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 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.
After breakfast you start to follow the Danube Cycle Path downstream. You’ll pass through a deep gorge, carved by the river over centuries, before arriving in the charming little village of Engelhartszell. Here you may choose to visit the nearby Monastery where a silent but enterprising order of Trappist monks make and sell some rather good liquors. Cross the river using the quaint little ferry and enjoy some serene cycling on an idyllic cycle path beside the river as you continue eastwards. You’ll spend the night either in the little village of Wesenufer or slightly further on in the village of Schlögen.
First stop on today’s route is the stunning Danube Loop at Schlögen. Here the great river makes a dramatic 180 degree turn and we highly recommend investing in the 20 minute hike up to the lofty look-out point in the woods to fully appreciate this majestic scene.
Afterwards, follow the riverside cycle path through a peaceful valley where nature still reigns supreme. This is leisure cycling at its best, stunning scenery, charming villages and easy cycling, far from hustle and the bustle of the modern world.
After a few kilometers the valley begins to widen out and soon you are cycling through an open plain with meadows on either side. Stop in Aschach at one of the riverside cafes for some refreshment or lunch before continuing downstream. After a bend in the river, the city of Linz, your overnight stop, comes into view. Linz is the capital of Upper Austria with a lovely old town centre and bustling main square.
The day starts with a ride along the northern bank of the Danube to the village of Mauthausen. Nearby you will find the former Mauthausen Concentration Camp and Memorial – a thought-provoking place to stop for a break. You then follow an idyllic riverside cycle path through the meadows and woodland of the Machland region. Magnificent Castle Wallsee standing guard over the river indicates that you are almost at your overnight accommodation in the charming village of Wallsee.
Today’s ride leads you first to the beautiful town of Grein with it's impressive castle. You then cross the river using the small ferry boat (not included) and enjoy a peaceful ride through the Strudengau, a beautiful and serene stretch of the river where nature still holds sway. This is leisure cycling at its best with stunning scenery and only the sounds of the birds and your tyres on the cycle path. After a while the valley widens again and you ride through open meadows past the towns of Ybbs and Metzling. The day’s ride concludes in the riverside village of Marbach. You will be picked up here and transferred up to the nearby village of Maria Taferl. The views along the river valley from this elevated village are quite superb.
Make sure your camera is charged and ready today as you will be cycling through the magnificent Wachau Valley which many consider to be one of the most beautiful stretches of the whole river. The day starts with a ride along the riverbank, to the bustling town of Melk, famous for its magnificent baroque Abbey and as the gateway to the Wachau. Further on you reach Spitz, the first of series of beautiful wine villages so typical of this region . As you pedal through the Wachau you’ll see romantic castles and palaces perched on strategic bluffs overlooking terraced vineyards and orchards that cascade down to charming villages such as Weißenkirchen and Dürnstein. Beautiful old taverns and inns invite you to stop and enjoy hearty Wachau hospitality along the way. The locals are justly proud of their wine so if you abstain during the day be sure to visit one of the many wine cellars in Krems/Traismauer to sample some of the fine local product in the evening.
For your final ride you have a few choices on and how far you wish to cycle.
If you are up for it you can of course cycle all the way to your hotel in Vienna, you'll be riding around 88 kms with this option but it's all pretty level and there are good cycle paths throughout much of the city.
If you don't fancy riding into the city you can stop in Nussdorf, a suburb right on the bike path, drop your bike off there and use public transport to get to your hotel. You'll be riding about 75 km in total. Please note that this is a pop-up bike drop-off point and only open each Fri, Sat, Sun Mon and Tue between 0930 and 1800.
A slightly shorter option still is to drop off your bike in Klosterneuburg, a small town on the Danube upstream from Vienna. From here you can take public transport on into Vienna. You'll ride around 70 km with this option. Please note that this option is available daily between 0800 and 1200 and then again between 1400 and 1700.
The shortest option of all is to cycle the 48 km from Krems to Tulln, drop your bike off there and take the train on to Vienna. This option is available daily between 0800 and 1200 and again between 1400 and 1700
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 famous, convivial and elegant coffee houses.
After breakfast it’s time to check out and head for home or your next adventure.
On this tour you can choose between a regular bike or an electric bike.
Regular bike: Is an alloy framed model with 21 speeds and a comfortable, relaxed riding position, perfect for a leisure cycling holiday. The bike comes equipped with a pannier and lock.
E-BIKES: These unisex/step through electric bikes are a popular option on this route and ensure riders can enjoy the scenery along the way, whilst not working too hard at the climbs. Male specific e-bikes are available on request, Minimum height is 160cm. The bike comes equipped with a pannier and lock.
Helmets are not supplied, so you will need to bring 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 hotels and guesthouses.
Passau: Hotel Passauer Wolf
Wesenufer/Schloegen: Hotel Donauschlinge
Linz: Hotel Schillerpark
Wallsee: Hotel Wallseerhof
Marbach/Maria Taferl: Hotel Schachner
Krems: Hotel Arte
Vienna: NH Danube City
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.
Easy
Leisurely
Moderate
Challenging
