Danube Cycle Trail – Passau to Vienna | Cycling Holiday in Austria | Self Guided Cycling Holiday

This classic ride has now become the Holy Grail of cycling for many leisure cyclists. It follows the Danube Cycle Path from the beautiful old town of Passau on the German border, alongside the Danube, to romantic Vienna and is Austrian cycling at its best. The cycling is undemanding as you cruise gently downwards by this famous river. This section of the Danube is probably the most attractive for cycling as the river cuts through the surrounding Austrian hills. Along the valley are many fascinating old towns and villages, including those where you will be spending the night.

If you would like to stay extra nights in Vienna at the end of the ride this can be arranged for you.

Grade: Easy

Getting there:
Fly to Linz, Salzburg or Vienna and then travel by train to Passau.

Departure:
Fly back from Vienna or return by train to Linz or Salzburg for your return flight.

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Day 1 Arrive in Passau.

Day 2 Passau to Aschbach.
Soon after departure you are into Austria and passing through Engelhartzell and on to one of the highlights of the ride at Schlogner Schlinge. The valley here is particularly beautiful. Later in the day the valley broadens on the plains of Eferdinger Becken. ~ 36 miles

Day 3 Aschbach to Enns.
The valley narrows again today to lead you to Linz, the The capital of Upper Austria. Beyond Linz the route passes several lakes to lead to the Enns, Austria's oldest town, where the river of the same name joins the Danube. ~ 34 miles

Day 4 Enns to Persenbeug.
Today's ride passes through the fertile plains of the Marchland to Grein, where the castle is well worth a visit. Beyond Grein you enter the Strudengau and Nibelungengau, a landscape of granite hills with small sleepy villages dotted amongst them. ~ 36 miles

Day 5 Persenbeug to Krems.
This is the most beautiful part of the whole tour. Passing the opulent baroque Benedictine Abbey at Melk, you continue on to the Wachau, an area famous for its wines and one littered with castles. Cycling through the vineyards presents an ideal opportunity to sample the local produce. ~ 37 miles

Day 6 Krems to Tulln.
Krems is the wine capital of the region and a town of much historical and architectural interest. Leaving the Wachau, the wide plain of the Tullner Becken is now encountered with its fertile farmland. ~ 28 miles

Day 7 Tulln to Vienna.
Tulln is the former capital of Austria and you can afford to linger there a while today as the ride along the river and passing through Klosterneuburg to Vienna is an easy one. Vienna, of course, has too many attractions to mention awaiting you. ~ 23 miles

Day 8 Departure.

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