Danube Cycle Path 6-Day Gentle

Danube Cycle Path
6-Day Gentle

(7 Reviews)

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Overview

  • Tour DifficultyGentle
  • Tour Duration6 Days / 5 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time2-4 Hours
  • Daily Elevation249 m (818 feet)
  • Daily Distance43 km (26 miles)
  • Total Distance171 kms (106 miles)
  • StartPassau, Germany
  • FinishVienna, Austria
  • Local AirportsMunich or Vienna
  • Tour SeasonApr 1 - Oct 31
  • Food & DrinkYes
  • History & CultureYes
  • Family FriendlyYes
  • Solo TravellersYes
  • Electric BikeYes
  • Leisure BikingYes

Overview

  • Tour DifficultyGentle
  • Tour Duration6 Days / 5 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time2-4 Hours
  • Daily Elevation249 m (818 feet)
  • Daily Distance43 km (26 miles)
  • Total Distance171 kms (106 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 - Schlögen

Distance: 41 kms (25 miles) / Elevation Gain: 259 m (850 feet) / Saddle Time: 1.5-3.5 hours

After picking up your bike, you’ll cross the Schanzlbrücke bridge, making your first of many crossings over the Danube River from the south to the north bank. Leaving Passau’s outskirts, you’ll soon find yourself on the peaceful cycle paths that make this tour famous, with the calm Danube flowing beside you. You’ll pass the charming town of Engelhartszell, known for its monastery that produces tonic liqueurs.

Continuing on, the day’s ride concludes at Schlögen Bend, where the river loops 180 degrees due to the resistant granite. Here, embark your first ferry crossing of the tour, returning to the Danube’s South bank. Upon disembarking, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of the bend, framed by a steep hill.

Day 3: Schlögen - Linz

Distance: 53 kms (33 miles) / Elevation Gain: 353 m (1160 feet) / Saddle Time: 2-4 hours

Starting from the stunning Schlögen bend, follow the Danube south bank, passing steep hills and the Eferdinger Becken nature reserve, where birdsong fills the air. Along the way, passing charming Austrian villages with steep roofs, painted facades, and flower-filled gardens.

The peaceful journey leads you to Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, known for its arts and culture. Begin at the Trinity Column in the Main Square and visit the Thun Mansion, where Mozart composed for 12 years. Enjoy a stroll through Donaulände park, and admire the illuminated modern architecture at the Lentos Museum and Ars Electronica Center.

Day 4: Linz - Krems

Distance: 38 kms (24 miles) / Elevation Gain: 263 m (862 feet) / Saddle Time: 1.5-3.5 hours

Beginning with a train transfer to Melk, today you journey into the heart of the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its terraced vineyards and orchards. Pedal through charming Austrian villages like Spitz, Weißenkirchen, and Dürnstein, with cobbled alleys and flower-covered balconies. Pass medieval relics, including the 12th-century Dürnstein Castle ruin, and enjoy the local scenery of grapevines, apricot, and apple trees. Sample the region’s famous apricot brandy at the many wine and spirit shops.

A visit to the prestigious Weingut Lagler winery awaits you, a true Wachau experience. The day concludes in the 1,000-year-old city of Krems, twin city to Passau, where the journey began. In the evening, walk through the Steiner Tor gate to the old town, a step back into a medieval village.

Day 6: Krems - Vienna

Distance: 38 kms (24 miles) / Elevation Gain: 120 m (395 feet) / Saddle Time: 1.5-3.5 hours

You start the day with a short train ride to Tulln, known as “The City of Flowers.” Upon arrival, enjoy a stroll in the Donaulände park along the Danube and visit the Nibelungendenkmal, a sculpture depicting a historic meeting from 1200 AD. The town’s highlight is Die Garten Tulln, a unique botanical garden.

As you leave Tulln, follow the Danube, passing Greifenstein castle and Klosterneuburg’s impressive monastery. Riding through the Vienna Woods, we soon reach Vienna, following a bike lane along the Donau canal with street art along the way. After dropping off your bike, explore Vienna, renowned for its architecture, food, cycling, and culture.

End the day with a ride on the Wiener Riesenrad, a 65m ferris wheel offering stunning city views.

Day 7: 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.

Schlögen: Pension Schütz

Pension Schutz is a small family run guesthouse situated 100 metres from the Danube River Bank, Gasthof-Pension Schütz features a wellness area and an outdoor swimming pool. The Donausteig hiking and cycling trails run next to the house.

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 Gentle 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. It is very approachable for those of amateur biking experience. It is also very well suited to family touring.

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

Is this tour for me?

The Danube Cycle Path is for those who like to take things slow and savour their surroundings. There are endless amounts of stopping points to refresh and recharge, dotted all along the route.

If you are into your history and culture, you’ll cycle passed an abundance of landmarks on your journey.

Tour includes

  • 5 nights accommodation in charming guesthouses and hotels.
  • A hearty breakfast each morning
  • A visit to a world class winery and vineyard
  • Train transfers from Linz to Melk & Krems to Tulln
  • 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, the bikes available are comfortable touring bikes 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 Gentle

From$976
(7 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$976
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