Schärding - Vienna, 8 days
Danube bike path - classic
Welcome reception and bike fitting. Stroll through the quaint baroque town of Schärding and try to find out about what the name of the inn “Zur Bums’n” means. If you can tell the host the story of the origin of the name, he will buy you a beer...
You will cycle along the river Inn to the three river city, 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, liquor tasting) and further through the nature reserve Donauleiten.
Today, you will reach the Schlögen bend on its northern side. Here, Europe’s second largest river is forced by the granite of the Bohemian Massif into a unique 180° turn. You will have time to watch this natural phenomenon during a ferry ride to the other side of the river. 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.
On the fourth day, you will take a little detour away from the course of the Danube 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 can visit the archaeological collection in the municipal museum Lauriacum. In the beautiful baroque town of Grein 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 Greinburg castle.
The Strudengau – once feared by the sailors – is now awaiting the cyclists. Where once the currents of the Danube had to be fought against, one can now cycle comfortably. In Maria Taferl and Melk you can see magnificent churches located high above the Danube, which attract thousands of visitors each year.
You will continue your tour to the 1,000-year-old town of Krems. On the way, the monastery Göttweig, located high above the Danube, leads the way to the flower city of Tulln.
Your tour ends in the Danube metropolis of Vienna. Don’t forget to visit the “Wurstelprater”, the vibrant entertainment area of Vienna’s Prater and experience its positive mood. In the famous “Schweizerhaus” restaurant you can enjoy a piece of “Stelze” (knuckle of pork), gaining energy for further explorations of the city.
Departure or extension
Tour character
Flat or slightly downhill along the Danube; well-built cycle path almost all the way without motor vehicles. Minor roads make up only very short sections of this route – the Danube cycle path is a perfect tly made cycle route.
Category A: Carefully chosen guest houses and hotels ***/****
Category B: Accommodation in guest houses, inns, and hotels with ***-level
- Accommodation in chosen category
- Breakfast buffet or an extensive breakfast
- If half board is booked: 7 x 3-course dinner (in Vienna B&B)
- Welcome briefing
- Luggage transfer between hotels
- Detailed travel information (route maps or overview maps, route description, tourist attractions, important telephone numbers)
- Danube Card in upper Austria
- GPS-data is available
- Rental bike insurance
- Service hotline
Arrival / Parking / Departure
- Schärding train station
- Munich and Vienna airport
- free public car park on the Eurobike premesis directly on the cycle path.
- Return transfer by minibus to Schärding every day in the afternoon, this costs € 55 per person incl. your bike, to be paid at the time, reservation is necessary
- Good train connections from Vienna to Schärding
Please note!
Where visitor´s tax is due, it is not included in the tour price.