Blue Danube Cycle to Vienna

After arriving in Passau, make your way to your hotel where your travel documents will be waiting. The rest of the day is yours to discover this charming town at your own pace. Passau sits at the meeting point of three rivers - the Danube, Inn and Ilz - and is filled with fascinating landmarks. You might like to wander up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress, built in 1219, where the observation tower rewards you with sweeping views of the town and rivers. St Stephen’s Cathedral is another highlight, home to the world’s largest church organ. Collect your bike this afternoon (4.00pm-7.00pm) or tomorrow morning before you set out. If you’d like more time to explore, it’s possible to book an extra night in Passau before your trip begins.

If you choose to collect your bike this morning, your journey begins right from the bike garage. From here, follow the Danube as it winds through the Upper Danube Valley towards Schlögen. Along the way you’ll pass the Austrian border town of Engelhartszell, home to a Cistercian abbey dating back to 1293 and, since 1925, Austria’s only Trappist monastery. The day finishes in Schlögen, where the famed Schlögener Blick offers a stunning panorama of the river’s dramatic loop and the surrounding countryside.

As you follow the Danube, you’ll come across small passenger ferries that cross between its banks. On the southern side, your route takes you through Aschach before entering the fertile basin of Eferding. From here, continue past the Wilhering monastery and on to Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. Linz is a vibrant city with a rich arts and music scene. Mozart composed his famous Symphony No. 36 here, and today you can explore the modern “Lentos” art gallery on the banks of the Danube, beautifully lit at night. Or simply wander the charming main square and soak up the atmosphere. If you’d like more time to discover the city, you can request an extra night here.

Today’s ride follows the Danube cycle path with the option to stop in Enns, Austria’s oldest town, or take a detour across the river to the Mauthausen concentration camp and museum. Be aware this visit involves a steep uphill section, but it can be a moving and worthwhile experience. Your journey continues through peaceful meadows and quiet countryside, passing the reconstructed Celtic village of Mitterkirchen, the impressive church at Baumgartenberg, and the romantic Clam Castle. Further along, you’ll reach the riverside town of Grein, home to Austria’s oldest theatre, which still welcomes visitors.

Today’s ride leads you through striking scenery, where the Danube cuts between steep, forested rock formations. Leaving Strudengau, you soon reach Ybbs, once an important trading hub along the river. High above the valley you’ll spot the pilgrimage church of Maria Taferl, before the grand silhouette of Melk Abbey comes into view. In the afternoon you’ll have time to explore the abbey and its museum, and to take in the sweeping views from its terrace. Tonight you’ll stay in the Nibelungengau, the picturesque region surrounding Melk.

Today you pedal into the famous Wachau Valley, celebrated for its romantic landscapes of terraced vineyards, apricot orchards and storybook villages. As you follow the river towards Krems, you’ll pass through charming wine towns such as Spitz, Weißenkirchen and Dürnstein, with their castles, abbeys and atmospheric ruins. You might like to stop for a short boat trip along the Danube, or stop at one of the traditional Heurigen – Austrian wine taverns where local vintages and regional specialities are served. Overnight in Krems or the surrounding area.

This morning begins with a train ride to Tulln*, followed by a scenic cycle through the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald) towards Austria’s capital. On the way, we recommend a stop at Klosterneuburg to visit its impressive monastery before continuing into Vienna, the world-famous “City of Music”. The approach into the city is almost entirely on a dedicated cycle path with no traffic, offering safe and straightforward access to the city centre and your hotel. *If you’d prefer to ride from Krems to Tulln instead of taking the train, this will add approximately 40km /25mi to your day’s journey.