Danube bike path, sporty

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.

You will cycle along the river Inn to the city of three rivers, Passau. Here, we recommend a short city tour or a visit to the cathedral, where you can listen to the largest church organ in the world (except Sundays and holidays). Then, you will continue your journey along the Danube via Obernzell to Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria). You will cycle through the nature reserve Donauleiten and reach the Schlögen bend on its northern side. Here, the granite stone was too hard an opponent and the Danube had to make a 180° 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.

Today, you will ride your bike through the green 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 from the Pöstlingberg or a stroll along the Danube. Later, you will continue your trip towards Strudengau and Nibelungengau to Grein and its surroundings.

From the Baroque town of Grein, with the oldest city theatre in Austria, you will ride your bike down the river. In Melk, you should stop briefly and look up – otherwise you may miss the beauty of the abbey Melk, which towers above the Danube. Then, you will cycle via the wine towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen and past the ruins of the castle Dürnstein to your hotel in Krems. Today, we will organise wine tasting for you – which is a must during a visit to the Wachau region.

From the 1,000-year-old city Krems, you will cycle via Traismauer and visit the Roman town of Tulln. Here, you can once again enjoy the tranquility and culture (e.g. with a visit to the Egon Schiele museum) of the rural area before you will get to the Danube metropolis of Vienna. Enjoy a cup of “Verlängerter” coffee and a piece of the famous cake Sachertorte in one of the typical Viennese coffee houses or visit the main attractions of the city during a ride with one of the famous “Fiaker” (horse-drawn carriages).