You can either start your trip in the baroque town of Schärding or Passau, the town of three rivers. You will cycle through various districts of Upper and Lower Austria and finally to the Danube metropolis of Vienna. You will love the breathtaking natural beauty of the Danube valley and the Schlögener Schlinge (river bend) or perhaps you will fall in love with the landscapes along the Danube River such as the Machland, the Strudengau, or the famous Wachau. In the rural areas, to accompany these wonderful impressions, you can enjoy many traditional Austrian delicacies. Your physical wellbeing will be well catered for, from savoury dumpling specialities and sweet grape must all the way to the wines of the Buschenschenken taverns in the Wachau region.
The well-known Danube cycle path winds past Baroque cities, orchards and modern cultural hotspots. And an idyllic water landscape is always by your side. A particularly beautiful section awaits you in the Wachau wine region. The majestic Melk Abbey typifies the uniqueness of this section of the route. Travelling through the wine towns of Spitz, Weißenkirchen and past the castle ruins of Dürnstein you will experience the Wachau in all its splendour.
Highlights
The baroque flair of Schärding, the fascinating nature of the Schlögener Schlinge (river bend) and the picturesque Wachau will carry you to Vienna. Our charm trip offers accommodations with that certain something for the perfect balance between active days and relaxing evenings.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Schärding/Passau
- Day 2: From Schärding to Schlögener Schlinge (river bend) | approx. 29 mi (46 km)
- Day 3: From Schlögener Schlinge (river bend) – Linz | approx. 34 mi (55 km)
- Day 4: From Linz to Grein/surroundings | approx. 43 mi (70 km)
- Day 5: From Grein/surroundings to Wachau | approx. 31 mi (50 km)
- Day 6: From Wachau to Krems | approx. 25 mi (40 km)
- Day 7: From Krems to Vienna | approx. 55 mi (89 km)
- Day 8: 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: Arrival 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 town of three rivers, which has been completely redesigned as a pedestrian, car-free area.
Day 2: Schärding/Passau –Schlögener Schlinge (river bend) | approx. 29 mi, easy
Along the river Inn you will come to Passau, the town of three rivers. We recommend that you take a guided tour of the town, and visit the cathedral where you can enjoy the sounds of the largest church organ in the world (except Sundays and public holidays). Then you will continue along the Danube, first passing Obernzell and finally arriving in Engelhartszell, home to Austria’s only Trappist monastery. You will then cycle through the nature reserve Donauleiten, from where you will reach the Schlögener Schlinge (river bend) to the north. This is where granite proved to be too much of an opponent and forced the Danube to change direction by 180 degrees. While a ferry takes you across the river to your hotel, you have time to admire this natural phenomenon.
Day 3: Schlögener Schlinge (river bend) – Linz | approx. 34 mi, easy
Today you will cycle through the green Eferdinger basin via the market towns of Aschach, Ottensheim and Wilhering and all the way to the Upper Austrian capital of Linz. The historical Old Town of Linz has many pubs and eateries for you to discover. Other highlights of the European Capital of Culture 2009 include the magnificent views from Pöstlingberg mountain and a stroll through the Donaulände park.
Day 4: Linz – Grein/surroundings | approx. 43 mi, moderate
On the fourth day you will take a little detour away from the course of the Danube to St. Florian and its Augustinian monastery and further to Enns. In Enns you can go to the town square with its 60 metre town tower, the landmark of the oldest town in Austria, or visit the archaeological collection in the municipal museum Lauriacum. Afterwards, you will return to the river, first reaching the beautiful little baroque town of Grein. Here you have the opportunity to visit the oldest municipal theatre in Austria that is still being used. Or you can visit the maritime museum or Greinburg Castle.
Day 5: Grein/surroundings – Wachau | approx. 31 mi, easy
This section of the Danube, the Strudengau, was once feared by sailors. Today, you can cycle leisurely along its banks. Where they used to fight against the Danube currents you can now take a leisurely cycle ride. In Maria Taferl, high above the Danube, you will find the magnificent pilgrimage church, which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.
Day 6: Wachau – Krems | approx. 25 mi, very easy
You should make a little stop in Melk and look up or you will miss the beautiful Melk Abbey that overlooks the Danube. As soon as you leave the town you will get into the picturesque Wachau region, where you can enjoy the charming atmosphere of the region’s typical orchards and vineyards. You will pass through the little wine towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen, cycle past the Dürnstein Castle ruin and finish your journey in the 1000-year-old town of Krems.
Day 7: Krems – Vienna | approx. 55 mi, moderate
The final kilometres of your bike tour will be a relaxed trip to the Danube metropolis of Vienna. Parts of the route can be covered by train. As soon as you arrive you can check-in and then enjoy all the amenities of the city for the rest of the day. Treat yourself to a Viennese-style Americano coffee and a piece of the famous Sachertorte cake in one of Vienna’s typical coffee houses. Take a stroll along Vienna’s Parade shopping street, along Mariahilfer Strasse, visit St Stephen’s Cathedral or see the main sights and take a trip in one of the famous Fiaker cabs.
Day 8: Departure or Extension
- Total Distance: approx. 350 km (217 mi)
- Daily Distance: approx. 25–55 mi (40–89 km)
- Route information: Easy
Flat or slightly downhill along the Danube; well-built cycling path almost all the way without motor vehicles. Minor roads make up only very short sections of this route– the Danube cycle path is a perfect example of a cycle route.
- Arrival dates
Arrival daily: This tour is available between 27.03. - 10.10.2027
- ARRIVAL / PARKING / DEPARTURE
• Arrival by train to Passau or Schärding
• Linz, Vienna or Munich airport
• Parking: Public Garage, costs approx. EUR 5 per day
• Departure by train from Vienna to Passau/ Schärding, duration approx. 3 hours, possibly with 1 change in Linz or Passau
- DETAILS
• When booking, please inform us about where you wish to arrive.
• Weather warranty/Spring and autumn special: Tour bookings with arrival within season 1 can be rebooked free of charge up to 5 working days prior to arrival in
case of bad weather.
• Due to the late arrival of the return transfer in Schärding or Passau, we recommend booking an extra night.
