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 where you can visit the ancient abbey. You shall cycle through deep gorges which have been cut out of the Bavarian woodland, passing many castles and pretty villages. On this stretch, the north bank is in Germany, and the south bank in Austria. Much of this region is the Donouleiten nature reserve which runs mostly on the left bank. Its south-facing direction has created an environment which is loved by wildlife and fauna.

Today you head off along the Danube towards the Schlogen loop. This is where a granite outcrop has forced the Danube into a large loop. Make a point to visit the viewpoint and be amazed at one of the most iconic views of the River Danube. You now continue by bike to either Ashbach or Eferding where you shall stay overnight.

You now set off today cycling via the Pesenback valley through Ottensheim and onto 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 a grotto which is great for young and old alike.

Now east of Linz, the Danube bike trail returns to the green and fertile Austrian countryside. You can take a detour to see the St Florian Monastery, this is an undulating detour though. Afterward, 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. After visiting Enns continues a short distance further to Mauthausen. If you wish you can visit the old German concentration camp from the second world war.

You shall cycle through woodland and orchards towards Grein today. The approach to this wonderful town takes you through the “eye of the needle” a narrow stretch of the valley once feared by sailors. Along the way you shall cycle through interesting villages such as Naarn, Perg and Mitterkirchen. Mitterkirchen has an interesting celtic village set up as an open air museum.

It’s a lovely day’s ride today as you enter the Wachau region, the garden of Austria with its orchard and wine regions. You will continue biking the Danube while cycling past the famous Habsburg Castle and onto Persenbeug. If you have time take a small detour (6 miles 10km) to Maria Taferl which is a famous place for pilgrimage.

Today you cycle through the vineyards of the Wachau wine region of Austria. The white wines of this region are exported worldwide, the best known being Rheinsiesling, Green Veltliner, and Neuburger. Visit the Benedictine abbey in Melk before continuing through Spitz and onto your accommodation for the night.

A short ride today. After setting out by bike you will soon arrive in Krems with its 12th-century castle. Krems is a very romantic-looking town and worthwhile to spend time exploring,  why not visit the Grafenegg Palace which many think is the most significant Romanesque palace in Austria? After you visit you take the train to Vienna.

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

For more cycling holidays along the Danube, why not take a look at our 7 or 8 night River Danube Cycling Holiday which is also available to book. Once you have completed the Passau to Vienna section, you could then try the Vienna to Budapest bike route.