Danube Cycle Path - the easy going tour

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.

Hotel (example) Schärding / Passau:

Cat. A: Stadthotel Schärding / Hotel Passauer Wolf
Cat. B: Stiegenwirt / Hotel Innsento

Today, you will cycle from Schärding along the river Inn to Passau, where the Inn joins the Danube. On the Danube cycle path, you will cross the upper Danube valley and pass the town Engelhartszell with its impressive abbey church of the monastery Engelszell. Then, you will cycle via Niederranna and approach today’s destination, the “Schlögener Schlinge“ (river bend). Here, the second largest river in Europe is forced by the granite of the Bohemian Massif into a unique 180 degrees turn. You will have time to watch this natural phenomenon during a ferry ride to the other side of the river, where you will find your hotel.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A and Cat.B: Hotel Donauschlinge

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. Linz's historical old town 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.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Leonardo Boutique Linz
Cat. B: Courtyard by Marriott Linz

Today you will take a little detour away from the course of the Danube to St. Florian (Augustinian monastery) and 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 you visit the archaeological collection in the municipal museum Lauriacum.Then continue on to today's destination.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Landgasthof Winter
Cat. B: Pension Martha

Today, you will again cycle along the Danube and get to the beautiful baroque town, Grein. Here, you will have the opportunity to get an impression of the oldest still performing city theatre in Austria. Additionally, you can visit the maritime museum or the castle Greinburg. From today’s destination Maria Taferl, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the beautiful blue Danube!

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Hotel Rose
Cat. B: Wachauerhof Marbach

In Melk, you should stop briefly and look up – otherwise you may miss the beauty of the abbey Melk, which towers above the Danube. As soon as you have left the city behind you, you will 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 a wine tasting event for you – which is a must during a visit to the Wachau region.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Arte Hotel
Cat. B: Gasthof Klinglhuber

On the seventh day, you can relax whilst walking through the wine villages of Spitz, Weißenkirchen and/or Dürnstein. Get to know the beauty and hospitality of the Wachau, which are two of the characteristics that have made this region so famous. You can truly enjoy every moment of every day here.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Arte Hotel
Cat. B: Gasthof Klinglhuber

Today you can relax whilst walking through the wine villages of Spitz, Weißenkirchen and/or Dürnstein. Get to know the beauty and hospitality of the Wachau, which are two of the characteristics that have made this region so famous. You can truly enjoy every moment of every day here.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Best Western Hotel Tulln
Cat. B: Nibelungenhof Tulln
 

The final kilometres of your bike tour will be a relaxed trip to the Danube metropolis of Vienna. As soon as you arrive, you can occupy your room 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 Mariahilferstraße, visit St Stephen’s Cathedral or see the main sights and take a trip in one of the famous Fiaker cabs.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: MAXX by Steigenberger
Cat. B: Roomz Prater