Laid-back tour Passau-Vienna.

Enjoy this laid-back tour from Passau to Vienna, because in almost no other section of the Danube bike trail you will experience such a variety of landscapes and cultures. Be amazed by the high density of historical evidence. Nature silence valleys, fertile plains and steep terraced vineyards alternate with each other, picturesque villages with dignified farmhouses asserted themselves against beautiful churches and abbeys. The Schlögen Danube River Bend, “Stift Melk” and the Wachau are all wonderful figureheads of some 330 km long cycling trip, where you will enjoy daily 30-46 km in the saddle.

1. day Passau Arrival

We recommend to plan your journey to Passau so that you still have some time to spend in the beautiful city. With the largest Baroque church organ in the world at St. Stephen's Cathedral and a charming Old Town the city of Passau is really worthwhile to explore. A parking lot (unguarded), we have already reserved for you near the rental bike station.

2. day Passau - Schlögen 43 km

You leave the beautiful town of Passau and cycle on the wonderful bike path through the densely wooded slopes of the narrow Danube valley between the Bavarian Forest and Sauwald to the Schlögen Danube River Bend. Take a break in Oberzell and marvel at the magnificent castle with the hall in the style of the Passau Renaissance. A few kilometers later after you left behind Jochenstein you reach the German-Austrian border and the pretty market town of Engelhartszell. Here you should visit the Trappist monastery. The Collegiate Church with its 76 m high tower is one of the purest Rococo style churches in Austria! Now it's not far and you'll reach the the Schlögen Danube River Bend. By bike ferry you'll make it to Au and there cycle the last few meters to your hotel.

3. day Schlögen - Linz 38 km

The Danube cycle path leads you through the romantic scenery of the Danube loop, one of the most beautiful and pristine sections of the Danube, with small villages and cozy wine bars. Take a worthwhile visit to the Baroque town of Aschach, you'll wonder about stately houses from the Middle Ages, through facades and courtyards from Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance period and the magnificent parish church from the heyday of the 16th century. Then you cycle a few kilometers through the countryside to the Nibelungen city of Eferding featuring magnificent buildings like the late Gothic parish church and the castle Starhemberg. By “Rübenexpress” you travel with a speed of 21 km to the city center of Linz (European Capital of Culture 2009) captivate by the cathedral and the wonderful Old Town. In the evening you'll be fascinated by the light filled streets with many restaurants and wonderful locations for a pause.

4. day Linz - Enns 30 km

Today you follow the Danube bike path past the Pleschinger Lakes till you reach the run-of-river power plant Abwinden which generates electricity since 1979. Here, you cross the Danube and cycle to the nearby town of St. Florian. Next to the magnificent Baroque monastery (tour included) a great farm museum with original furniture from four centuries, “Mostmuseum”, horse stable and bakery awaits for you. Look forward to the last trip by bike and especially to Enns, the oldest town in Austria with an impressive 60-meter tower. From up here you have a fantastic view. More than 95 stone steps to reach the first belfry with six bells and about another 62 wooden steps, past the movement, you climb up into the old watchman's room.

5. day Enns - Ardagger/Grein 37 km

Today your beautiful cycle route crosses the river Enns and a few kilometers later the Oberwasser channel. Over the channel leads an interesting timber bridge, the longest in Europe, imposing by 88 meters and four piers. Look forward to Wallsee and the Baroque Marian column and visit the Roman Museum. In Ardagger you should visit the abbey church with the famous Margaret-window featuring the oldest figural stained glass and also we recommend to visit the Most-Gallery and the Mostbirnhaus. Located in the “Most-street”, the museum “Mostbirnenhaus” presents everything around the cider pear and the Mostviertel. In a playful way, the growth of the cider pear, the stunning scenery and especially the production of pear wine is represented. This is rounded off by delicious tasting opportunities and a sales shop. Over night in Ardagger or Grein (+ 8 km).

6. day Grein - Melk 46 km

Today a beautiful cycling day awaits you! You cycle through the stunning landscapes of the Strudengau, that narrow point of the Danube which was once feared for its swirls and vortices of almost all great sailors. It is replaced by the gentle Nibelungengau which accompanies you to Melk. Look forward to this town which is also known as the "gateway to the Wachau" and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the main attraction that is at the same time the landmark of the Wachau is high above the Danube: The Baroque Benedictine Abbey.

7. day Melk - Krems 37 km

Look forward to the "pinnacle stage" of the tour through the Wachau! Due to the mildness and serenity of the Wachau, almost no other landscape on the Danube can compete with. You spend all day in the saddle in the enchanting atmosphere of the Wachau region (UNESCO World Heritage site) featuring the so typical of orchards and vineyards. A centuries-old wine culture made the steep southern slope with their vineyards to stairways to the sky and therefore gave this section its distinctive shape. In Willendorf marvel at the "Venus of Willendorf" a clay figure from the time of 25,000 years before Christ and take a well-deserved break in the wine village of Spitz in the heart of the Wachau. With its 2000 inhabitants, the city draws around the so-called 'Tausendeimerberg' who is called like this because its wines have in a good vintage up to 1000 wine buckets. Here in Spitz the wines even grows in the middle of the town. Take a break and enjoy one of the colorful Renaissance and Baroque houses and the beautiful square in front of the late Gothic church from the 15th century before you continue cycling to Krems.

8. day Krems - Vienna 44 km

You finally left behind Krems and the Wachau, the lovely landscape picture changes completely. Today you'll breeze through the wide flat plains of the Tullnerfeld up to the flower city of Tulln. On the way you should take a break in the historic town of Traismauer. During a city tour you'll marvel at stone products from the 2000 year old history. Römertor, Humgerturm and remains of city walls and excavations in the lower church testify the role of the small Roman fort Augustianis in defending the Danube limes. Your destination Vienna can be reached today easily by local train from Tulln. Enjoy the cosmopolitan city of Vienna with its own special flair. Take time to admire the St. Stephen's Cathedral and treat yourself to a piece of cake in one of the so-typical coffee houses.

9. day Vienna Departure

With pleasure we will book you additional nights in Vienna. At the end of your journey, we have organized a return bus to Passau and included, so you can come back quickly and easily back to the starting point of your cycling holiday.

booking