Danube cycling: Passau to Vienna

You will receive your documents and rental bikes (if booked) at the first hotel in the Bavarian city of Passau. The “City of three rivers” is renowned as one of the most beautiful cities in Germany and has much to offer. The charming laneways and archways of the Baroque old town have remained largely unchanged throughout the centuries.

Overnight stay in Passau.

Distance: approx. 40 km

Your first cycling day takes you from Passau via Obernzell to Schlögen. Along the way, we recommend visiting the monastery Stift Engelszell, with its beautiful Rococo church and picturesque garden. Highlight of the day is the ‘Schlögener Schlinge’ (Schloegen River Bend), where the Danube forms a picturesque 180 ° curve. When approaching Schlögen, you have a beautiful view of the ruins of medieval Haichenbach Fortress, high on a ridge on the other side of the Danube.

Overnight stay in Schlögen.

Distance: approx. 56 km

Following the Danube cycle path, today’s route takes you first along the river’s forested slopes to the town of Aschach. We recommend taking some time to explore Aschach, with its medieval town houses featuring gothic, baroque and renaissance era facades and courtyards. Getting back on your bike, you continue along the Danube to the cathedral city of Linz. This modern provincial city has a renowned arts scene and offers a variety of interesting sights, including the castle museum and botanical gardens.

Overnight stay in Linz.

Distance: approx. 47 km

Leaving Linz, you start out towards Sankt Florian, where you can visit the Augustinian monastery St. Florian – one of Austria’s most beautiful monasteries (guided tour included). From here, you cycle on to the charming town of Enns. This is the oldest city in Austria, at the meeting point of the Enns and Danube rivers. You can climb the Statturum – a sixty-meter-tall bell-tower which offers panoramic views over the valley and views of the Alps in the distance. You then cross the Danube by ferry to Mauthausen and finish the stage with a short ride to Perg.

Overnight stay in Perg.

Distance: approx. 55 km

The first part of today’s route takes you past the castles Dornach and Greinburg. Schloss Greinburg is the oldest occupied castle in Austria and dominates the picturesque riverside town of Grein. You then continue along the north bank of the Danube, past the “black wall” (a curious granite formation) to the town of Marbach. A short climb takes you up to the beautiful Baroque basilica of Maria Taferl, from which you can enjoy a breath-taking view over the Danube Valley.

Overnight stay in Maria Taferl / Marbach.

Distance: approx. 54 km

Your first destination today is the town of Melk, on the south bank of the Danube. Here, we recommend a visit to the 18th century Benedictine abbey Stift Melk. Crossing back over to the north bank, you follow the Danube cycle path through the Wachau, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of lush green hills covered by vineyards, orchards and castles. You will pass through the picturesque riverside towns of Spitz, Weissenkirchen and Dürnstein, before arriving at your destination: the culturally rich city of Krems an der Donau. Time to relax and sample some of the top-quality Grüner Veltliner and riesling wines from the local vineyards

Overnight stay in Krems.

Distance: approx. 59 km

For the most part, your final cycling day descends softly and you can enjoy the views and landscape in a relaxed manner. You are once more surrounded by vineyards, which produce many fine wines, including the famous Grüner Veltliner. Finally, you arrive in the town of Tulln an der Donau. This is a very pleasant town, with an abundance of parks and gardens. The town stands on the site of the former Roman cavalry fort Comagenis and is known today for its variety of enjoyable art and culture and its bubbling fountain.

From Tulln take the train to Vienna where you give back your bikes.

Overnight stay in Vienna.

Your cycling holiday comes to an end after breakfast this morning. You may wish to book an extra night in Vienna to fully appreciate the imperial grandeur of its dazzling palaces, museums and concert halls.

If you are travelling by car, we can arrange your train ticket back to Passau to pick up your car.