This tour, which starts in the three-river city of Passau and leads to beautiful Vienna, is quite something - in many respects. You cycle the 325 km route at a sporty pace in five days. The stage destinations are a string of highlights that combine nature and cities, culture and action as well as culinary delights and enjoyment. So what are you waiting for?
Highlights
The Danube Cycle Route offers a wealth of magnificent views, for example from Passau Veste to the convergence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube rivers, in Schlögen to the Schlögener Schlinge (river bend) or from Pöstlingberg to Linz. In Vienna, the Ringstrasse offers pure culture.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Schärding/Passau
- Day 2: From Schärding/Passau to Linz (95-115km by bike)
- Day 3: From Linz to Melk (100km by bike)
- Day 4: From Melk to Vienna (115km by bike)
- Day 5: Departure or Extension
All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork. In this case, please follow the directions posted on site.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrrival in Schärding/Passau
Stroll through the pretty little baroque town of Schärding and marvel at the famous “Silberzeile” lane or take a walk through the “New Centre” of Passau, the three rivers town, which has been completely redesigned as a pedestrian, car-free area.
First, you will follow the river Inn to Passau where it joins the Danube and then you will cycle along the Danube towards Engelhartszell. Here you should not miss visiting the abbey Engelhartszell with its own liquor production. On your further journey to Linz you will come across the unique nature phenomenon “Schlögener Schlinge” (river bend), where the Danube is forced to make a 180 degrees turn. Once you have reached the European culture capital of 2009, you can enjoy the lively historic old town, the scenic views of Linz from the Pöstlingberg, or simply a walk along the Danube.
Day 3: From Linz to Melk | 100 km
You will leave Linz and cycle towards Strudengau and Nibelungengau. You will cycle past the Celtic village Mitterkirchen and just before the border between Upper and Lower Austria you will see the baroque town of Grein with Austria’s oldest city theatre and the castle Greinburg. Then you will continue your journey to Maria Taferl and Melk. Here you should stop briefly and look up – otherwise you may miss the beauty of the abbey Melk, which towers above the Danube.
Day 4: From Melk to Vienna | 115 km
Today, you will leave Melk and cycle into the landscape of the Wachau region, where you will be enchanted by the atmosphere of the typical fruit orchards and vineyards. Today, we will organise wine tasting for you – which is a must during a visit to the Wachau region. Refreshed, you will cycle past the wine towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen as well as the ruins of Dürnstein castle. During the last kilometres of your bike tour you will cycle via the 1,000-year-old town of Krems and the Roman town of Tulln to the Danube metropolis of Vienna.
Day 5: Departure or Extension
- Total Distance: 330km (205miles)
- Daily Distance: 95-115km (59-71 miles)
- Route information: Flat or slightly downhill route along the Danube; well-built cycling path almost off-road all the time. Minor roads make up only very short sections of this route – the Danube cycle path is a perfectly laid out cycle route.
- This tour is available between 05.04. - 12.10.2025
- Starts everyday