Danube Cycle Path 6-Day Challenging

Danube Cycle Path
6-Day Challenging

(9 Reviews)

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Overview

  • Tour DifficultyChallenging
  • Tour Duration6 Days / 5 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time4-6 Hours
  • Daily Elevation416 m (1400 feet)
  • Daily Distance83 km (51 miles)
  • Total Distance331 kms (205 miles)
  • StartPassau, Germany
  • FinishVienna, Austria
  • Local AirportsMunich or Vienna
  • Tour SeasonApr 1 - Oct 31
  • Food & DrinkYes
  • History & CultureYes
  • Solo TravellersYes
  • Electric BikeYes

Overview

  • Tour DifficultyChallenging
  • Tour Duration6 Days / 5 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time4-6 Hours
  • Daily Elevation416 m (1400 feet)
  • Daily Distance83 km (51 miles)
  • Total Distance331 kms (205 miles)
  • StartPassau, Germany
  • FinishVienna, Austria

Highlights

  • Passau: Starting in Germany's "City of Three Rivers," explore Passau's historic architecture and scenic river confluence.
  • Schlögener Schlinge: Marvel at the dramatic, meandering bend of the Danube River, a natural wonder.
  • Linz: Enjoy the vibrant arts and culture scene in Upper Austria's capital.
  • Melk Abbey: Visit the stunning baroque abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage site, overlooking the Danube.
  • Wachau Valley: Cycle through picturesque vineyards, quaint villages, and sample world-class local wines.
  • Vienna: Your tour ends in Austria’s capital, the 'City of Music'. Explore its rich history, grand architecture, and vibrant cultural life.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Passau

After arriving from Munich or Vienna, you’ll find yourself in Passau, Bavaria, near the Austrian border, where the Inn, Ilz, and Danube rivers meet. The city showcases various influences and was rebuilt in Baroque style after a devastating fire in 1662. The standout example is St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a religious site since 730 AD, completed in 1693. It houses Europe’s largest organ, which was the world’s largest until 1993. Overlooking Passau is the historic Veste Oberhaus fortress on St. Georgsberg hill, now home to a museum and restaurant.

Day 2: Passau - Linz

Distance: 94 kms (58 miles) / Elevation Gain: 612 m (2060 feet) / Saddle Time: 4.5-6.5 hours

Start your journey by crossing the Schanzlbrücke bridge, the first of many crossings over the Danube River. Leaving Passau’s outskirts, peaceful cycle paths guide you alongside the tranquil Danube. Pass through Engelhartszell, home to a monastery famed for its tonic liqueurs, before reaching the iconic Schlögen Bend, where the river curves dramatically around resistant granite. Here, take your first ferry to the south bank for a stunning view of this natural wonder.

Continue along the Danube’s south bank, where steep hills and the Eferdinger Becken nature reserve provide a serene backdrop. Pass picturesque Austrian villages with colorful facades and blooming gardens before arriving in Linz, Upper Austria’s cultural capital. Explore the Main Square, the historic Thun Mansion, and Donaulände park. End your day marveling at modern illuminated architecture at the Lentos Museum and Ars Electronica Center, reflecting Linz’s creative spirit.

Day 3: Linz - Ybbs

Distance: 85 kms (53 miles) / Elevation Gain: 428 m (1440 feet) / Saddle Time: 2-4 hours

Leaving Linz, cycle through Machland’s fertile plains, stopping in Mauthausen to visit its poignant WWII concentration camp memorial. Continue to Grein, home to the 500-year-old Greinburg Castle and the historic Stadttheater, Austria’s oldest theatre.

The route winds through the Strudengau Valley, a once-dangerous stretch of the Danube now known for its lush forests, waterfalls, and idyllic villages. Pass through Persenbeug, marked by its impressive castle, and reach Ybbs, where the Baroque Maria Taferl Basilica offers breathtaking valley views and intricate frescoes.

End your journey in Ybbs, exploring its historic old town and the Ybbs Bike Museum, which celebrates cycling history and innovation.

Day 4: Ybbs - Krems

Distance: 63 kms (39 miles) / Elevation Gain: 393 m (1325 feet) / Saddle Time: 3-5 hours

Leaving Ybbs, cycle along the river through the picturesque Nibelungengau region, where rolling hills and dense forests frame the path ahead. Pass the historic town of Melk, home to the stunning Melk Abbey, a Baroque masterpiece perched high above the river.

Entering the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the route meanders through charming villages, terraced vineyards, and apricot orchards. Stop in Spitz or Dürnstein, famed for its castle ruins and the legend of Richard the Lionheart. Enjoy a relaxing winery visit, savoring local Wachau wines like Grüner Veltliner and Riesling while taking in the valley’s breathtaking views.

The journey concludes in Krems, a vibrant town with a medieval old quarter and bustling wine culture. This section offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and gastronomic delights.

Day 5: Krems - Vienna

Distance: 84 kms (52 miles) / Elevation Gain: 236 m (795 feet) / Saddle Time: 4-6 hours

The journey from Krems to Vienna offers a blend of challenge and charm. Starting in Krems, follow quiet paths along the Danube through sunflower fields and the scenic Donauauen region. Reaching Tulln, the “City of Flowers,” enjoy the serene Donaulände Park, the Nibelungendenkmal sculpture, and the unique Die Garten Tulln botanical displays.

From Tulln, the route winds past Greifenstein Castle and Klosterneuburg’s grand monastery, through the Vienna Woods. Enter Vienna along the Donau canal, where vibrant street art sets the tone for the city’s cultural richness. After dropping off your bike, explore Vienna’s stunning architecture, culinary delights, and cycling-friendly atmosphere.

End your day with a ride on the iconic Wiener Riesenrad ferris wheel, soaring 65 meters above the city for breathtaking views—a fitting finale to this scenic and culturally immersive adventure.

Day 6: Depart from Vienna

Vienna, known as the City of Music due to Mozart and Beethoven, could also be called the European City of Palaces. Around every corner lies a grand palace waiting to be explored. Start your day with a coffee and pastry at the iconic Café Central, where the opulent interior transports you to the mid-1800s. Then, stroll along Kärntner Strasse, a historic shopping street dating back to the Roman Empire.

Our recommended itinerary covers Vienna’s top landmarks, including St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Vienna Opera House, and Schönbrunn Palace. End your day at Belvedere Palace, an art museum specializing in Austrian art. The palace’s stunning gardens offer a serene view of the city, providing the perfect spot to reflect on your day as the sun sets.

Map

Accommodation

All our accommodation selections are in-house reviewed. We partner with family-owned, charming guesthouses and hotels where you can relax and recharge. Below are some sample accommodations on our Danube Cycle Path tours. Depending on availability, the accommodation you stay at may vary but will always be of a similar standard.

Passau: Hotel Blauer Bock

The Hotel & Restaurant Blauer Bock is located directly on the Danube bank in Passau. Bavarian-modern, elegant and with an exclusive design, the traditional hotel shines in a completely new splendor.

Vienna: Henriette Stadhotel

Just steps away from the Nestroyplatz Underground Station, Henriette Stadthotel Vienna is 2 stops from Saint Stephen’s Cathedral in the centre of Vienna. The Prater Amusement Park is a 10-minute walk away. 

Henriette Stadthotel Vienna serves a rich breakfast buffet and the spacious rooms feature air conditioning.

FAQ

What is the cycle like?

This tour is in our Challenging difficulty grading. The route is 95% dedicated, smooth cycle path following the course of the river. Although there may be points of elevation gain, they are of a minor gradient and brief. The real challenge on this tour comes from the significant daily distance, so a high level of fitness is required.

If you are unsure of your ability, choose an e-bike during booking to glide along the route.

Is this tour for me?

If you like smooth, flat terrain where you can eat up the mileage and enjoy a stunning backdrop, this tour is for you. There are endless amounts of stopping points to refresh and recharge, dotted all along the route.

History & Culture stops are plentiful to break up the cycle day.

Tour includes

  • 5 nights accommodation in charming guesthouses and hotels.
  • A hearty breakfast each morning
  • A visit to a world class winery and vineyard
  • Luggage transfers between accommodations
  • Detailed itinerary, GPX files and printable maps of your route
  • Tips on local attractions, history & evening meals
  • On call support before and during your tour

Tour excludes

  • Flights and transfers to and from the trail heads
  • Lunches & Dinners
  • Insurance
  • Bike rental (Selected on checkout)

The Bikes

You have a choice of bringing your own bike or renting your tour bike through us during booking. For the Danube Cycle Path Challenging, the bikes available are hybrid, gravel and electric touring bikes. If an electric bike is chosen, it will bring the daily saddle time down by approximately 1 hour.

We only partner with the best bike suppliers for all our destinations so you’ll be guaranteed well maintained, premium brand bikes such as Cube, Trek or KTM.

All bike rentals come with helmet, lock and repair kit. A network of mechanics are on call in case of any mechanical issues faced while on tour.

What Is The Climate Like?

We offer tours on the Danube from April – October. At the start and end of the tour season, the average temperatures are approximately 11 °C (52 °F). These are also the driest times of the season. Temperatures peak average at 21 °C (71 °F) in July but the mid summer months are typically the wettest. Temperatures as high as 35 °C (95 °F) have been recorded, but these are quite rare. Please see image below for reference.

As the Danube Cycle Path is in a valley, it is susceptible to micro climates, so unexpected weather can occur. Although your tour will be mostly dry, we highly recommend being prepared with rain gear in case of emergency.

Is The Tour Easy To Navigate?

We include detailed navigation instructions and GPX files for your ride. Our navigation app is easy to use and we give a detailed instructional video on how to use it. If you are having any difficulty, we are on call at all times to assist you.

The Danube Cycle Path is very well sign posted, in case all other navigation means let you down.

What If There Is An Issue On Tour?

Included in your tour, is 24/7 message and video support. If you have an issue with navigation, bike breakdown, accommodation, medical, etc, we are at the touch of a button away at all times.

We have an extensive network of suppliers along the route, who will resolve the problem as swiftly as possible.

 

More FAQ

If you haven’t found the answer you’re looking for above, visit our general FAQ page for more information or simply reach out to us with the “Ask A Question” button on the side.

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Price

Danube Cycle Path 6-Day Challenging

From$1,103
(9 Reviews)
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Tour Includes


3* or 4* Accommodation Throughout

Breakfast Each Morning

Winery Tour & Tasting

Train Transfers While On Tour

Luggage Transfer

Itinerary & Navigation Documentation

Tips & Local Insights

24-Hour Support

From$1,103
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