The Danube Cycle Path from Passau to Vienna

Day 1: Schärding/Passau
We recommended to arrive early because both Passau and Schärding have much to offer. Stroll through the pretty little baroque town of Schärding and marvel at the famous Silberzeile lane, or take a walk through the “New Centre” of Passau, the town of three rivers, which has been completely redesigned as a pedestrian, car-free area. In the evening: personal welcome briefing and handover of the bikes (if booked).

Day 2: Schärding│Passau – Danube bend│surrounding (40 or 55 km/25 or 34 mi)
Along the river Inn you will come to Passau, the town of three rivers. We recommend that you take a guided tour of the town, and visit the cathedral where you can enjoy the sounds of the largest church organ in the world (except on Sundays and public holidays). Then you will continue along the Danube, first passing Obernzell and finally arriving in Engelhartszell, with the only Trappist monastery in Austria. You will then cycle through the nature reserve Donauleiten, from where you will reach the Danube Bend to the north. This is where granite proved to be too much of an opponent and forced the Danube to change directions by 180 degrees. While a ferry takes you to the other side of the river to your hotel you have time to look at this natural phenomenon.

Day 3: Danube bend│surrounding – Linz, (50 km/31 mi)
Today you cycle through the green Eferdinger Basin via the market towns of Aschach, Ottensheim and Wilhering to the Upper Austrian capital of Linz. The historic old town has many pubs and eateries for you to discover. Other highlights of the European Capital of Culture 2009 include the magnificent views from Pöstlingberg Mountain and a walk through the Donaulände Park.

Day 4: Linz – Grein (60 km/37 mi)
For a change, the route guides you away from the course of the Danube via the Augustinian Monastery of St. Florian. You will reach Enns, where you can visit the town square with its 60 meter high town tower, the landmark of the oldest town in Austria, or the archaeological collection in the Municipal Museum Lauriacum. Back on the Danube cycle path, you will continue up to the beautiful little baroque town of Grein. Here you have the opportunity to visit the oldest municipal theater in Austria, still in use. Additionally you can visit the Maritime Museum or the Greinburg castle.

Day 5: Grein – Melk – Wachau (50 km/31 mi)
This section of the Danube, the Strudengau, was once feared by sailors, now you can cycle along it. Where they used to fight against the Danube currents you can now take a leisurely cycle ride. In Maria Taferl, high above the Danube, you will find the magnificent pilgrimage church, which attracts many pilgrims every year. In Melk you should definitely make sure you look upwards, otherwise you’ll miss the beauty of the Melk Abbey that overlooks the Danube. As soon as you leave the town you will get into the picturesque Wachau region, where you can enjoy the charming atmosphere of the region’s typical orchards and vineyards.

Day 6: Wachau – Traismauer/Tulln (75 km/46 mi)
You will pass through the little wine towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen, cycle past the Dürnstein Castle ruin, and the 1000-year old town of Krems, and finish your tour in Traismauer. A stay in the Wachau region means that you simply have to take part in a wine tasting, which we would be pleased to organize for you.

Day 7: Traismauer/Tulln – Vienna (40 km/25 mi)
The final miles of your tour will be a relaxed bike ride to the Danube metropolis of Vienna. As soon as you arrive you can occupy your room and then enjoy all the amenities of the city for the rest of the day. Treat yourself to a Viennese-style coffee and a piece of the famous Sachertorte cake in one of Vienna’s typical coffee houses. Take a stroll along Vienna’s Parade shopping street, along Mariahilfer Strasse, visit the St Stephen’s Cathedral or see the main sights and take a trip in one of the famous Fiaker cabs.

8° giorno: Vienna
Dopo colazione, termine dei servizi.
Possibilità di prenotare il transfer in bus per Passau (partenza ore 14.00 circa).