Danube Cycle Way – Passau to Vienna

Arrive in the three rivers city of Passau and collect your rental bikes. Once in your hotel visit the old town of Passau.

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 which 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 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. Extra nights in Linz are possible

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. As you pass through Mauthausen if you wish to visit the old German concentration camp from the Second World War. You continue to cycle to Enns the oldest town in Austria, further along, the Danube you pass Dornach castle.

Grein also has a wonderful castle, also the oldest theatre in Austria

Today you cycle off passing through Grein with its wonderful castle, also the oldest theatre in Austria. The 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 onto Marbach where a transfer will take you uphill to the hotel above the Danube or if you wish to can decide to test your legs and cycle the uphill stretch!

Today you pass Strudengau to Melk where there is a famous Abbey. Then a short boat ride takes you to Spitz and cycle 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. 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.

Shortcut: It is possible to take an optional boat trip from Spitz or Durnstein to Krems. (Current departures 11.40am and 12.30pm respectively).

Today you cycle via Mautern through a very green valley which is famous for its vegetable growing for Austria and onto Tulln. In Tulln, you can return your bikes and take the train to Vienna or you cycle further to Greifenstein on the outskirts of Vienna where you can return your rental bikes. You can continue to Vienna by train (not included).  For those with your own cycles (you can either take your cycles on the train or cycle into Vienna an extra 16 miles. Bike cost is not included on this train ride).

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?

Your tour is complete after breakfast.   You can book a coach transfer (Saturdays in entire season or Sundays June – August) or train (other days) back to Passau which will arrive around 13.30.