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Cycling group leaving the bicycle ferry, in the background the departing ferry and the village of Engelhartszell.

Danube Cycle Path highlights

As you choose

7 Days / 6 Nights
Easy
Cycling group leaving the bicycle ferry, in the background the departing ferry and the village of Engelhartszell.

Many charming towns await you on this tour along the Danube Cycle Path. But the real gems are probably the magnificent landscapes, which change rapidly and yet all have their own charm. The romantic Danube valley, the Machland and the extraordinary Wachau - varied yet constant is how this 7-day cycle tour comes across. Great views, delicious delicacies and the special features of the different regions make this trip special.

Schärding or Passau, baroque jewel or Bavarian Venice? You already have the choice on arrival. It's best to take time to visit both towns, because they are well worth it. After a stroll through the charming old town of Passau, take a detour at Engelszell Castle to the famous Schlögener Schlinge.

Even Napoleon resided in Austria's oldest town - visit Enns with its historic town wall, Lauriacum Museum and Ennsegg Castle. On day 4 you change districts: first Grein in the Mühlviertel invites you with the castle of the same name and the historic town theatre as well as many possibilities for a cosy stay and a stop for a bite to eat, the stage destination is already in the Weinviertel with Marbach. Via Krems and Tulln you finally cycle to Vienna.

  • The colourful town square of Schärding: Have you heard of the love-struck Frenchman? In 1809, he had so many love affairs in beautiful Schärding that he missed the withdrawal of his troops after occupying the town. Walk in his footsteps in the castle park before enjoying the atmosphere with coffee and cake on Silberzeile.
  • The Wachau World Heritage Site is simply a region of indulgence! Try apricot dumplings, Wachauer Laberl and accompanied by one of the excellent wines grown in an area of almost 1,400 m2. Look out for the characteristic terraced vineyards, which according to tradition have their origins in the Middle Ages.
  • The towering Melk Abbey: Imposing, spiritual, a place with character - you can certainly write a lot about the world-famous baroque abbey. Let yourself be swept away by the atmosphere, admire the priceless art, drop by the library and relax in the Abbey Park.
  • The Vienna Prater is just as much a must-see place in Vienna as Schönbrunn Palace (and/or Belvedere), St. Stephen's Cathedral, Kohlmarkt - we could go on forever, Vienna is just too beautiful!

The stages of 55 to 70 km are not exactly short, but one of the many plus points of the Danube Cycle Path is the flat routing. You'll see, you'll reach your destinations in no time - although breaks to soak up the beauty of the tour are strongly recommended.

Itinerary at a glance

From Schärding or Passau, your eyes will surely fall on Engelszell Abbey on the way to Vienna. After the cultural city of Linz and Enns as the oldest city in Austria, the route continues through the Wachau and past Melk Abbey.

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 three rivers town , which has been completely redesigned as a pedestrian, car-free area.

Hotel (example) Schärding / Passau:

Cat. A: Stadhotel / Passauer Wolf
Cat. B: Stiegenwirt / Hotel Spitzberg
Cat. C: Biedermeier Hof / Hotel Atrium

 

Today, you will start your bike tour from Schärding by cycling 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 belonging to the Engelszell monastery. Then, you will cycle via Niederranna and approach today’s highlight, the “Schlögen bend“. Here, the second largest river in Europe is forced by the granite of the Bohemian Massif into a unique 180° turn. You will have time to watch this natural phenomenon whilst taking a ferry ride to the other side of the river.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Hotel Donauschlinge
Cat. B: Hotel Wesenufer
Cat. C: Gasthof Draxler

 

 

Today you cycle through the green area of the Eferdinger Becken (basin) via Aschach, Ottensheim, and Wilhering to the Upper Austrian capital Linz. Following the motto, “In Linz beginnt’s” (“It starts in Linz”) you can begin your city tour in one of the many restaurants in the historic old town. Further highlights of the European culture capital of 2009 are the magnificent views that you get from the Pöstlingberg or a stroll along the Danube.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Zum goldenen Schiff
Cat. B: Zum goldenen Schiff
Cat. C: Lauriacum

 

 

 

Mixing things up a bit today, you will not cycle along the Danube. This is because you will be cycling to St. Florian (Augustinian Canons) and Enns. In Enns you will visit the town square with its 60 meter high city tower, the landmark of Austria’s oldest cit. Alternatively, you could visit the city's archaeological collection at the Lauriacum museum. Later on, you will cycle along the Danube once again 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 Greinburg castle. Afterwards, you will leave Upper Austria and cycle through the Weinviertel region to Marbach.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Schachner Krone
Cat. B: Wachauerhof Marbach
Cat. C: Zur schönen Wienerin

 

 

In Melk, you should stop briefly to take a look upwards. Otherwise you might miss out on seeing the beautiful Melk abbey, 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. Then, you will cycle via the wine towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen and past the ruins of Dürnstein castle and the 1,000-year-old town of Krems until you finish your stage. Today, we will organise wine tasting for you, which is a must-do activity when visiting the Wachau region.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Gasthof zum Schwan, Diamondcity Tulln
Cat. B: Gasthof zum Schwan
Cat. C: Hotel Nibelungehof Tulln

 

 

The last few kilometres of your bike journey will take you to the Danube's metropolis, Vienna. After your arrival, you can check into your room and use the rest of your day to immerse yourself in the city of Vienna. Enjoy a cup of “Verlängerter” coffee and a piece of the famous 'Sachertorte' cake in one of the typical Viennese coffee houses. Stroll through Vienna’s shopping street Mariahilferstraße, visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral or get to know the main attractions of the city during a ride with one of the famous “Fiaker” (horse-drawn carriages).

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Arcotel Kaiserwasser
Cat. B: Roomz Prater
Cat. C: Hotel Simm´s

 

 

 

 

Itinerary at a glance

From Schärding or Passau, your eyes will surely fall on Engelszell Abbey on the way to Vienna. After the cultural city of Linz and Enns as the oldest city in Austria, the route continues through the Wachau and past Melk Abbey.

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 three rivers town , which has been completely redesigned as a pedestrian, car-free area.

Hotel (example) Schärding / Passau:

Cat. A: Stadhotel / Passauer Wolf
Cat. B: Stiegenwirt / Hotel Innsento
Cat. C: Landhotel St.Florian / Hotel Atrium

 

Today, you will start your bike tour from Schärding by cycling 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 belonging to the Engelszell monastery. Then, you will cycle via Niederranna and approach today’s highlight, the “Schlögen bend“. Here, the second largest river in Europe is forced by the granite of the Bohemian Massif into a unique 180° turn. You will have time to watch this natural phenomenon whilst taking a ferry ride to the other side of the river.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A/B: Hotel Donauschlinge
Cat. C: Gasthof Draxler

 

 

Today you cycle through the green area of the Eferdinger Becken (basin) via Aschach, Ottensheim, and Wilhering to the Upper Austrian capital Linz. Following the motto, “In Linz beginnt’s” (“It starts in Linz”) you can begin your city tour in one of the many restaurants in the historic old town. Further highlights of the European culture capital of 2009 are the magnificent views that you get from the Pöstlingberg or a stroll along the Danube.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Zum goldenen Schiff
Cat. B: Zum goldenen Schiff
Cat. C: Lauriacum

 

 

 

Mixing things up a bit today, you will not cycle along the Danube. This is because you will be cycling to St. Florian (Augustinian Canons) and Enns. In Enns you will visit the town square with its 60 meter high city tower, the landmark of Austria’s oldest cit. Alternatively, you could visit the city's archaeological collection at the Lauriacum museum. Later on, you will cycle along the Danube once again 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 Greinburg castle. Afterwards, you will leave Upper Austria and cycle through the Weinviertel region to Marbach.

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Schachner Krone
Cat. B: Wachauerhof Marbach
Cat. C: Zur schönen Wienerin

 

 

In Melk, you should stop briefly to take a look upwards. Otherwise you might miss out on seeing the beautiful Melk abbey, 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. Then, you will cycle via the wine towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen and past the ruins of Dürnstein castle and the 1,000-year-old town of Krems until you finish your stage. Today, we will organise wine tasting for you, which is a must-do activity when visiting the Wachau region.

Hotel (example):

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

 

 

The last few kilometres of your bike journey will take you to the Danube's metropolis, Vienna. After your arrival, you can check into your room and use the rest of your day to immerse yourself in the city of Vienna. Enjoy a cup of “Verlängerter” coffee and a piece of the famous 'Sachertorte' cake in one of the typical Viennese coffee houses. Stroll through Vienna’s shopping street Mariahilferstraße, visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral or get to know the main attractions of the city during a ride with one of the famous “Fiaker” (horse-drawn carriages).

Hotel (example):

Cat. A: Arcotel Kaiserwasser
Cat. B/C: Roomz Prater

 

 

 

 

Route information

Easy

Flat or slightly downhill along the Danube. Well-built bike path that is almost always off-road. Minor roads make up only very short sections of this route. The Danube cycle path is a perfectly designed bike route.

Prices & Dates

Category A: 4****-hotels or the best local hotels

Category B: 4****- and 3***-hotels

Category C: 3***-hotels and inns, at Linz and Vienna 4****-hotels

Prices per person in EUR

Our rental bikes

Men's bike 21-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

High-quality men's touring bike with classic diamond frame

Body size approx. 165 cm - 205 cm

56-51 "sloping" cm |
60 cm |
64 cm
Unisex bike 21/24-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry

Body size approx. 148 cm - 190 cm

43 cm |
46 cm |
51 cm |
56 cm
Unisex bike 7-speed
Hub gears with coaster brake

High-quality unisex touring bike with coaster brake on the rear wheel

Body size approx. 155 cm - 190 cm

46 cm |
51 cm |
56 cm
Unisex Electro bike 8-speed
Hub gears with freewheel

High-quality unisex electric bike with comfortable low entry

Body size approx. 148 cm - 195 cm

46 cm "xs" |
46 cm |
51 cm |
56 cm
Rental Bike PLUS 20/27-speed
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

Sportier, lighter and more precise premium rental bike with diamond frame

Body size approx. 155 cm - 205 cm

46 cm |
51 cm |
60 cm |
63 cm

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in your selected category
  • Breakfast
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • Luggage transfer
  • EUROBIKE developed route
  • Detailed travel information 1x per room (German, English)
  • 1 ferry ride (Au-Schlögen) incl. bike
  • 1 wine tasting in the Wachau region
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data available
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance
  • Return transfer by minibus from Vienna, every day in the afternoon, costs EUR 75 per person, EUR 29 extra for your own bike, reservation necessary, to be paid for in advance

 

 

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Schärding and Passau train station
  • Munich and Vienna airport
  • Schärding: Free public car park on the Eurobike premises directly on the cycle path.
  • Passau: Public car park approx. € 35 per week, no reservation possible/necessary
  • Good train connections between Vienna and Schärding/Passau

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Detailed information

  • When booking, please inform us about where you wish to arrive
  • Weather warranty/Spring and autumn special: Tour bookings with arrival within season 1 can be rebooked free of charge up to 5 working days prior to arrival in case of bad weather

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in your selected category
  • Breakfast
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • Luggage transfer
  • EUROBIKE developed route
  • Detailed travel information 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • 1 ferry ride (Au-Schlögen) incl. bike
  • 1 wine tasting in the Wachau region
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance
  • Return transfer by minibus from Vienna, every day in the afternoon, costs EUR 79 per person, EUR 39 extra for your own bike, reservation necessary, to be paid for in advance

 

 

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Schärding and Passau train station
  • Munich and Vienna airport
  • Schärding: Free public car park on the Eurobike premises directly on the cycle path.
  • Passau: Public car park approx. € 45 per week, no reservation possible/necessary
  • Good train connections between Vienna and Schärding/Passau

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

Detailed information

  • When booking, please inform us about where you wish to arrive
  • Weather warranty/Spring and autumn special: Tour bookings with arrival within season 1 can be rebooked free of charge up to 5 working days prior to arrival in case of bad weather

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room.

Carina Glück

"I look forward to making your vacation dreams come true."

Carina Glück
Travel specialist
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Monday - Friday: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
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