Danube Cycle Path For Families

Make your own travel plans to reach Passau. One option could be to fly into Vienna and then go from Vienna to Passau by train. There are many options so please take a look at the Travel section. Once you arrive into Passau; the city of the 3 rivers you can then collect your rental bikes. Once in your hotel visit the old town of Passau where you shall find many historical delights. Enjoy your surroundings as tomorrow is the first cycling day of your Danube bike tour.

Today you will cycle passing Obernzell and Engelhartszell through deep gorges which have been cut out of the Bavarian woodland, passing many castles and pretty villages towards Kramesau on the German/Austria border. Most of this area is the Donouleiten Nature Preserve which runs mostly on the left bank. Its south-facing direction has created an environment that is loved by wildlife and fauna. Then onto Au where you cross the Danube by ferry and to your hotel for the night.

Starting today at the famous part of the Danube the “ Schogener Schlinge” here the Danube does the unusual, with a massive granite rock in its path it loops around it. You then cycle through an area of outstanding natural beauty to Aschach and further onto Ottensheim where you cna take the short train ride to Linz. Linz has many museums, a castle and a great medieval main square. A recommendation is to take the cable car ride to Postlingberg a baroque pilgrimage church, a fairyland and grotto which is great for young and old alike.

Now east of Linz, the Danube cycle trail returns to the green and fertile Austrian countryside. A short detour today to St Florian Monastery and pilgrimage site where Anton Bruckner is buried beneath the famous Bruckner Organ. Afterwards, continue along the route via Enns the oldest town in Austria. Enns boasts not only Roman but also Baroque and Renaissance heritage within the town’s architecture.  Thaling is a further 4km from Enns.

Today you cycle further along the Danube today, passing Dornach castle and then onto Grein which has a wonderful castle, also the oldest theatre in Austria. Then passing the imposing Greinburg Castle. Here the Danube churns and races through the narrows before then easing off to a wider path. Then you cycle passed the Habsburg Castle, Persenbeug and Ybbs.

Today you pass Strudengau to Melk where there is a famous Abbey. You are now cycling through the vineyards of the “ Wachau “ wine region of Austria. The white wines of this region are exported worldwide, best known being Rheinsiesling, Green Veltliner and Neuburger. Why not try some local wine with your dinner tonight.

Today you set out by bike and soon you will cycle past a 12th-century castle and a very romantic town and onto Krems. In Krems why not visit the Grafenegg Palace which many think is the most significant Romanesque palace in Austria. You will continue the cycle via Mautern through a very green valley which is famous for its vegetable growing for Austria and onto Tulln known as the flower city.

Your last cycling day takes you through the beautiful Tullner fields. Soon you see the beginning of the “Vienna Woods“ and its soft hills. Don’t forget to look for the castle of Greifenstein and the pointed towers of the monastery of Klosterneuburg. Soon you reach the capital city Vienna, a metropolis with charm and heart!

Extra nights are possible in Vienna to allow you to explore this wonderful city. If you are feeling fit why not continue your cycle tour with our Vienna to Budapest cycle tour?

Departure after breakfast

Note: occasionally we stay in neighbouring towns which means actual days distances could vary slightly.