You can either start your trip in the baroque town of Schärding or in Passau, the town of three rivers, and cycle through various regions of Upper and Lower Austria before finally reaching Vienna, the capital on the Danube. You will love the breathtaking natural beauty of the Danube Valley and the famous Schlögen Bend, as well as the landscapes along the Danube River, such as the Machland, the Strudengau, and the renowned Wachau region. In the rural areas, alongside these wonderful impressions, you can enjoy many traditional Austrian delicacies. From delicious dumpling specialities to the excellent wines served in the traditional Buschenschenken taverns of the Wachau, your culinary experience will be well catered for. In addition to Passau and Linz, the Wachau region awaits you as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its ancient vineyards and terraces, the impressive Melk Abbey, and the charming town of Krems. Enjoy a wine tasting and, once you arrive in Vienna, treat yourself to a pastry with a traditional Viennese Melange coffee. The route is flat or slightly downhill along the Danube, following a well-maintained cycle path that is almost entirely free of motor traffic. Only very short sections run along minor roads. The Danube Cycle Path is a perfect example of a cycling holiday route.
Included and Not Included Services
Accommodation in the selected hotel category, in a double room with private facilities
Breakfast
Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
Welcome briefing in English or German
1 ferry crossing from Au to Schlögen (including bicycle)
1 wine tasting in the Wachau region
Well-designed route
Navigation app and GPS tracks available upon request
Telephone support service throughout the trip in English or German
Travel to the starting point of the tour
Return journey from the end point of the tour
Printed travel documents (route maps and route description in English or German) at a cost of EUR 20.00
Drinks and all other extras in general
All lunches
All dinners
Entrance fees not specified
Bicycle rental
Tourist taxes and all other extras
Optional travel cancellation insurance
Anything not expressly stated under “Included Services”
Individual arrival in Schärding, a charming Baroque town where you can enjoy a pleasant stroll and admire the famous Silberzeile, a characteristic row of colorful Baroque houses, each painted in a different color. Alternatively, you can arrive in Passau, the “City of Three Rivers”, situated at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube rivers. The town centre has been completely redesigned with a large pedestrianized, traffic-free area, perfect for a pleasant walk. When booking, please let us know your preference, although this will not be binding.
Following the River Inn, you cycle to Passau, the “City of Three Rivers”. Here, we recommend a short city tour and a visit to the cathedral, where you can attend a concert featuring the world’s largest church organ (except on Sundays and public holidays).
Continuing along the Danube, you cycle via Obernzell to Engelhartszell, home to Austria’s only Trappist monastery. Through the Donauleiten nature reserve, you reach the northern side of the Schlögen Loop. Here, the granite proved to be an insurmountable obstacle, forcing the Danube to make a spectacular 180-degree turn.
While taking the ferry to the opposite bank, where your hotel is located, you will have time to admire this extraordinary natural phenomenon.
Today you cycle through the lush green landscape of the Eferding Basin, passing through the Danube town of Aschach, Ottensheim and Wilhering, before reaching Linz, the capital of Upper Austria.
Following the motto “In Linz beginnt’s” (“It all begins in Linz”), the numerous cafés and restaurants in the historic old town invite you to stop for a break. As further highlights of the European Capital of Culture 2009, you can enjoy the magnificent views from Pöstlingberg or take a pleasant stroll along the Danube promenade.
For a change of scenery, today you will leave the Danube for a while, heading to St. Florian, home to its famous Augustinian monastery, and then to Enns. In Enns, you can visit the main square with its 60-metre-high town tower, the landmark of Austria’s oldest town, or explore the archaeological collection at the Lauriacum City Museum.
You will then return to cycling along the Danube and reach the beautiful Baroque town of Grein. Here, you can visit Austria’s oldest town theatre still in operation. Alternatively, you can visit the Shipping Museum or Greinburg Castle.
The section of the Danube once feared by sailors now awaits cyclists – the Strudengau. Where people once had to battle against the strong currents of the Danube, you can now enjoy a leisurely bike ride.
In Maria Taferl, a magnificent pilgrimage church towers high above the Danube, attracting thousands of pilgrims every year.
Today, you should take a short break in Melk and look up – otherwise, you might miss the beauty of Melk Abbey, which towers majestically above the Danube.
Once you leave the town behind, you will enter the picturesque landscape of the Wachau, where the enchanting scenery of its characteristic orchards and vineyards awaits you. Cycling through the wine-growing towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen and passing the ruins of Dürnstein Castle, you will complete the stage in Krems, the 1,000-year-old town, or in Tulln.
Of course, no stay in the Wachau would be complete without a wine tasting, which we have arranged for you today.
With the final kilometres of your cycling tour, you will comfortably reach Vienna, the magnificent Austrian capital on the Danube. Depending on the chosen option, part of the route will be covered by train.
Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day exploring all that the city has to offer. Treat yourself to a “Verlängerter”, a typical Viennese coffee, and a slice of the famous Sacher cake in one of Vienna’s traditional coffee houses.
Take a stroll along Mariahilfer Straße, Vienna’s famous shopping street, visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or discover the city’s most important sights aboard one of the famous “Fiaker”, traditional horse-drawn carriages.
Day 8: Vienna
Individual departure or possibility to extend your stay.
| category C | ||
|---|---|---|
| Package | view calendar | |
| category B | ||
|---|---|---|
| Package | view calendar | |
| category A | ||
|---|---|---|
| Package | view calendar | |
It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.
| Kat. B: Price per night in double room with breakfast | 75 € | ||
| Kat. B: Single room supplement per night | 55 € | ||
It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.
| 21-speed unisex bike (insurance included) – Eurobike 2027 | 109 € | |
| 21-speed men’s bike (insurance included) – Eurobike 2027 | 109 € | |
| PLUS bike (insurance included) – Eurobike 2027 | 189 € | |
| E-Bike (insurance included) Eurobike 2027 | 299 € | |
It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.
| Return transfer per person | 99 € | |
It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.
Tour information
- Duration 8 days
- Difficulty Level Easy
- Distance 330 - 340 km