The Austrian Danube Cycle Tour from Passau to Vienna 2012Cathedrals, Abbeys, Castles and Wineries along one of Europe's major Rivers | ||
  The route is basically traffic free. Only when you leave the path to visit an inn or find you accommodation will you come across significant motor traffic. The former towpath is mostly tarred, though some stretches have a packed sand surface. |
This is the classic version of this tour, six days cycling and seven nights in hotels. The route claims to be the first long-distance cycle path in Europe. Because of the excellent facilities along the way, this tour is the prefect introduction to cycling in Europe. | |
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| On this tour you cycle 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. Passau is on the southern edge of the Bavarian Forest, some of the finest country in central Europe. | ||
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Day 1. Arrive in Passau. If you arrive by air in Vienna, you will transfer to the start of the tour at Passau. Day 2. Cycle from Passau, along the north side of what is at first a broad valley and past the Jochenstein Dam to Obernzell and Engelhardtzell. Then the valley narrows, and the day ends by the dramatic Danube Bend at Schlögern (about 27 miles). |
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Day 3. Cycle through what is at first empty countryside to the
Aschach Dam. Continue via Wilhering and the church of 1000 angels into
the fine city of Linz, the capital of Upper Austria (about 37 miles). Day 4. Follow the north bank of the river to Mauthausen. Continue to Wallsee and then via Perg to either Ardagger or 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 38 miles). |
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Day 5. Leave Grein and cycle past the island of Wörth,
and the "Black Wall", and on into the
Niebelungengau to the Habsburg castle at Persenbeug. Finally via
Pöchlarn and to the monastery at Melk. Take the ship to Spitz (about 35 miles). Day 6. Cycle along the north bank into the Wachau, a renowned fruit growing area (particularly known for its apricots) and one of the most attractive parts of Austria. You pass through the fortified town of Dürnstein, where the English King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Finally to Traismauer (about 24 miles). |
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Day 7. The final stage starts through more woodland before
reaching the Roman town of Tulln, which now boasts a fine church.
Continue to Greifenstein on the edge of the Vienna Woods (about 36 miles). After handing in your bikes here (the way into Vienna, though attractive, has heavy road traffic) continue by train into the centre of Vienna. (We include rail tickets for the journey). After your stay in Vienna, return to the UK by train, transfer to the start of the tour at Passau to collect your car, depart from Vienna Airport, or return to your starting airport. |
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