The Austrian Danube from Passau to Vienna by Bike and Ship 2008This tour is not described in our brochure | ||
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This way of exploring the Danube Valley is for those who also enjoy river cruises as well as cycling. You also have an opt-out if you decide one day not to cycle at all! | |
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On this tour you travel by bike and cruise ship
from the German border city of Passau
at the confluence of the Danube with the Inn and the Ilz
via Linz and the monastery at Melk to the capital of Vienna.
After visiting Vienna you cruise back to Passau.
Passau is on the southern edge of the Bavarian Forest,
some of the finest country in central Europe. |
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Most of the route is traffic free.
The towpath has been mostly tarred over,
though some stretches have a packed sand surface. |
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Saturday. Board ship in Passau. Sunday. Ship travels from Passau via Schlögern to Linz. The suggested cycle tour is from Passau, along the north side of what is at first a broad valley and past the Jochenstein Dam to Obernzell and Engelhardtzell to Schlögern. Here you reboard the ship and cruise through the dramatic Danube Bend to Linz (about 28 miles). |
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Monday. Ship travels from Linz to Grein. Either cycle first to
St. Florian, where you can visit the baroque monastery. Then continue
to Wallsee and then via Perg and Ardagger to Grein, which is approached through a
beautiful narrow valley with rocky wooded slopes. There is a fine castle here high
above the river (about 46 miles). Or remain on the ship until you reach Au and just cycle for the last 20 miles. Tuesday. Ship travels from Grein to Emmersdorf, across the Danube from Melk. The suggested cycle trip takes you past the island of Wörth and the "Black Wall", on into the Niebelungengau to the Habsburg castle at Persenbeug. Finally via Pöchlarn to the monastery at Melk (about 32 miles). |
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Wednesday. Today's cycle tour is probably the most attractive stretch
of the whole Austrian Danube. The route follows the old Wine Road
along the north bank through the Wachau, a renowned fruit and wine growing area.
There are many 'Heurige' (local wine taverns) as well as numerous castles and
other historic buildings to enjoy along the way. The cycle tour ends in Krems
(about 25 miles). From here you cruise to Nussdorf and then to Vienna. The ship will make an evening cruise through the city. |
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Thursday. Today is free to explore Vienna. You can tour the city by bike
if you want. Friday. The ship leaves Vienna after midnight and heads back up river. About breakfast time you get to Düürnstein. You have until lunch time to explore this small town, where the English King Richard I (Richard the Lionheart) was imprisoned on his return from the crusades. The afternoon and evening are spent on board the ship. Saturday. The ship to continues to cruise upriver to Passau. Enjoy breakfast on board before docking just before 1100. |
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