Danube Cycle Path, Schärding/Passau – Vienna

Stroll through the pretty little baroque town of Schärding and marvel at the famous Silberzeile lane. Alternatively 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
Cat. C: Landhotel St. Florian / Hotel Atrium

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 (the only Trappist monastery in Austria). 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 directions by 180 degrees. While a ferry takes you to the other side of the river to your hotel, you have plenty of time to look at this natural phenomenon.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A and Cat.B: Donauschlinge
Cat. C: Gasthof Draxler
 

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 Hotel
Cat. B: Courtyard by Marriott
Cat. C: Donauwelle

On the fourth day, 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. 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.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Landgasthof Winter
Cat. B: Pension Martha
Cat. C: Gasthof zur Donaubrücke

This section of the Danube, the Strudengau, was once feared by sailors, now you can cycle along it. 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.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Post Melk
Cat. B: Donauhof Emmersdorf
Cat. C: Wachauerhof

You should make a little stop in Melk and look up or you will miss the beautiful Stift Melk monastery that overlooks the Danube. As soon as you leave the town you will arrive 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 or in Tulln. A stay in the Wachau region means that you simply have to take part in a wine tasting, which we have organised for you.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Best Western Hotel Tulln
Cat. B and Cat. C: Gasthof zum Schwan

The final kilometres of your bike tour will be a relaxed trip to the Danube metropolis of Vienna. According to the variant, part of the stage is covered by train. As soon as you arrive you can check-in to 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 Mariahilfer Strasse, visit the 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
Cat. C: Simm's Hotel