Passau - Vienna

Stroll through the “New Centre” of Passau, the town of three rivers, which has been completely redesigned as a pedestrian, car-free area. In the evening welcome briefing and bike fitting.

Before you cycle, visit the cathedral where you can enjoy the sounds of the largest church organ in the world (except Sundays and public holidays). Then you start along the Danube, first passing Obernzell and finally arriving in Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria). You will cycle through the nature reserve Donauleiten, from where you will reach the Schlögen 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 time to look at this natural phenomenon.

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. The historical Old Town of Linz 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.

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.

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. In your today´s destination Melk you should look up or you will miss the beautiful monastery that overlooks the Danube.

As soon as you leave the town you will get 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 and cycle further to Dürnstein with its Castle ruin.

Soon you will reach the 1000 year old town Krems. Take time for a stroll through the old part of this beautiful city. Further you cycle to the Roman town of Tulln. There you can enjoy the silence and culture of the rural region over again. Sight to visit: Egon-Schiele-museum. The final kilometers of your bike tour are 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. Enjoy a cup of coffee and the typical Vienna cake „Sachertorte“ in one of the numerous coffee houses or treat yourself to a roundtrip with the horse-drawn cab „Fiaker“. Walk along Vienna’s famous shopping street (along Mariahilfer Straße), or visit the St Stephen’s Cathedral.

Note: This stage can be easily shortened by 40 km with a train ride from Krems to Tulln. Trains go almost hourly. There is no reservation needed in advance.

If you want to extend your stay in Vienna, we are happy to organize some extra nights.