Danube Passau-Vienna 8-day Self-guided Cycling Tour (Level 1)

Overview

Easy pace Passau to Vienna Self-guided Cycling Tour. Explore the paths along the blue Danube River just like the Romans, the legendary Nibelungs, and even Europe's powerful kings and emperors did before you. You will get to know the beauty and historical significance of this ancient military and trading route. Never far away from the cool, clear water of the Danube, you will enjoy one of Europe's most beautiful and popular cycle routes. You can either start your trip in the baroque town of Scharding or Passau, the town of three rivers. You will cycle through various districts of Upper and Lower Austria and finally to the Danube metropolis of Vienna. You will love the breathtaking natural beauty of the Danube valley and the Schlogen bend or perhaps you will fall in love with the landscapes along the Danube river such as the Machland, the Strudengau, or the famous Wachau. In the rural areas, to accompany these wonderful impressions, you can enjoy many traditional Austrian delicacies. Your physical wellbeing will be well catered for, from savoury dumpling specialities and moreish must all the way to the wines of the Buschenschenken taverns in the Wachau region. This cycle tour is a true classic and is ideally suited as a first cycling holiday with the whole family. The tour is Level 1: Flat or slightly downhill along the Danube; well-built cycling path almost all the way without motor vehicles. Minor roads make up only very short sections of this route - the Danube cycle path is a perfect example of a cycle route. Included in the Danube Cycling Tour: 7 x overnight stays in 3* and 4* hotels and inns (hotel upgrades are available on request), Breakfast, Welcome briefing, Luggage transfer between hotels, Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book, 1x ferry ride (Au-Schlogen) incl. bike, 1x wine tasting in the Wachau region, GPS tracks available and app navigation, Service hotline for the duration of the tour. Not included: Bike rental and bike insurance, Printed route book, per person EUR 20, Tourist taxes, if due, are not included in the price, Sporty bike - 189 EUR, Arrival and departure. Travel Insurance: Wander the World Without Worry! For your global travel insurance and evacuation services click on this link to get a quote (all quotes are in USD) in just a few moments: Global Travel Insurance. Arrival / parking / departure: Arrival by train to Passau or Scharding. Linz, Vienna or Munich airport. Parking in Passau: Public Garage, costs approx. € 5 per day. Parking in Scharding: Free private parking lots on the Eurobike premises. Departure by train from Vienna to Passau or Schardung, duration approx. 3 hours with 1 change in Linz/Passau. Return transfer by minibus to Passau or Scharding, daily in the afternoon. Costs EUR 95 per person, EUR 45 extra for your own bike, reservation is necessary, to be paid for in advance. Notes: This tour is also available in 4* and 'charming' accommodation on request: [email protected] Daily departure. Extra nights: Passau - from 75 EUR p.p (+39 EUR single person), Vienna - from 75 EUR p.p (+49 EUR single person). If you would like to rent a bike (109 EUR) or E-bike (299 EUR), please contact our office when booking:[email protected] Slow Tours offers a number of other Cycling Tours in Europe. Day 1 Arrival in Passau "Baroque Town or Three Rivers Town". 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. Day 2 Passau – Bend of the Danube/surroundings approx. 40-55 km "Upper Danube Valley". 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 Sundays and public holidays). Then you will continue along the Danube, first passing Obernzell and finally arriving in Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria). You will then cycle through the nature reserve Donauleiten, from where you will reach the Schlögen 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 Bend of the Danube/surroundings – Linz approx. 50 km. Today you will cycle through the green Eferdinger basin via the market towns of Aschach, Ottensheim and Wilhering and all the way to the Upper Austrian capital of Linz. The historical Old Town of Linz 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 stroll through the Donaulände park. Day 4 Linz – Grein/surroundings approx. 55 km "Through the Marchland". On the fourth day you will take a little detour away from the course of the Danube to St. Florian (Augustinian monastery) and to Enns. In Enns you can go to the town square with its 60 metre town tower, the landmark of the oldest town in Austria, or you visit the archaeological collection in the municipal museum Lauriacum. Afterwards, you will return to the river, first reaching the beautiful little baroque town of Grein. Here you have the opportunity to visit the oldest municipal theatre in Austria that is still being used. Or you can visit the maritime museum or Greinburg castle. Day 5 Grein/surroundings – Wachau approx. 50 – 60 km. 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 thousands of pilgrims every year. Day 6 Wachau – Krems/Traismauer/Tulln approx. 40 - 60 km "Wachau". You should make a little stop in Melk and look up or you will miss the beautiful Stift Melk monastery 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. You will pass through the little wine towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen, cycle past the Dürnstein Castle ruin, and finish your journey in the 1000-year old town of Krems or in Tulln. A stay in the Wachau region means that you simply have to take part in a wine tasting, which we have organised for you. Day 7 Krems/Traismauer/Tulln – Vienna approx. 45 - 65 km "Vienna Woods". The final kilometres of your bike tour will be a relaxed trip to the Danube metropolis of Vienna. According to the variant part of the stage is covered by train. 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 Americano 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. Day 8 Departure or extension of trip.

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included