Danube Scharding-Vienna 7-day Self-guided Cycling Tour (Level 1)

Overview

Explore the paths along the blue Danube River just like the Romans, the legendary Nibelungs, and even some of 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 start your trip in the baroque town of Scharding. 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 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 light and sweet cider all the way to the wines of the Buschenschenken taverns in the Wachau region. This cycle tour is a true classic and an ideal option for your organised sporty cycling holidays. Flat or slightly downhill along the Danube. Well-built bike path that is almost always off-road. Minor roads make up only very short sections of this route. The Danube cycle path is a perfectly designed bike route. 6 nights in 3* and 4* hotels and inns (hotel upgrades available on request) Breakfast Welcome briefing Luggage transfer Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book 1x ferry ride (Au-Schlogen) incl. bike 1x wine tasting in the Wachau region Service hotline 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 premises Departure by train from Vienna to Passau or Scharding, duration approx. 3 hours with 1 change in Linz/Passau Return transfer by minibus to Passau or Scharding, every day in the afternoon, costs EUR 99 per person, EUR 49 extra for your own bike, reservation necessary, to be paid for in advance Departure any day Due to the late arrival of the return transfer in Scharding or Passau, we recommend booking an extra night. Hotel upgrades available Extra Nights Passau/ Scharding - 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]] Arrival in Scharding Stroll through the pretty little baroque town of Schärding and marvel at the famous Silberzeile lane Scharding – Schlögen/surroundings approx. 55 km Today, you will start your tour where the Inn joins the Danube. On the Danube cycle path you will cross the upper Danube valley and pass the town Engelhartszell with its impressive abbey church of the monastery Engelszell. Then, you will cycle via Niederranna and approach today’s highlight, the “Schlögen bend“. Here, the second largest river in Europe is forced by the granite of the Bohemian Massif into a unique 180° turn. You will have time to watch this natural phenomenon during a ferry ride to the other side of the river. Schlögen/surroundings – Enns/surroundings approx. 70 km Today, you will ride your bike through the green area of the Eferdinger Becken (basin) via Aschach, Ottensheim, and Wilhering to the Upper Austrian capital Linz. Following the motto, “In Linz beginnt’s” (“It starts in Linz”) you can begin your city tour in one of the many restaurants in the historic old town. Further highlights of the European culture capital of 2009 are the magnificent views from the Pöstlingberg or a stroll along the Danube. Enns/surroundings – Marbach/surroundings approx. 65 km For a change, you will not cycle along the Danube today, but to St. Florian (Augustinian Canons) and Enns. In Enns you will visit the town square with its 60 meter high city tower, the landmark of Austria’s oldest city or you can visit the archaeological collection at the city museum Lauriacum. Later, you will again cycle along the Danube and get to the beautiful baroque town Grein. Here, you will have the opportunity to get an impression of the oldest still performing city theatre in Austria. Additionally, you can visit the maritime museum or the Greinburg castle. Afterwards, you will leave Upper Austria and cycle in the Weinviertel region to Marbach. Marbach/surroundings – Traismauer/surroundings approx. 70 km In Melk, you should stop briefly and look up – otherwise you may miss the beauty of Melk abbey, which towers above the Danube. As soon as you have left the city behind you, you will cycle into the landscape of the Wachau region, where you will be enchanted by the atmosphere of the typical fruit orchards and vineyards. Then, you will cycle via the wine towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen and past the ruins of the castle Dürnstein and the 1,000-year-old town of Krems until you finish your stage. Today, we will organise wine tasting for you – which is a must during a visit to the Wachau region. Traismauer/surroundings – Vienna approx. 65 km The last few kilometres of your bike journey will take you to the Danube metropolis of Vienna. After your arrival, you can check into your room and use the rest of your day to immerse yourself in the city of Vienna. Enjoy a cup of “Verlängerter” coffee and a piece of the famous cake Sachertorte in one of the typical Viennese coffee houses. Stroll through Vienna’s shopping street Mariahilferstraße, visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or get to know the main attractions of the city during a ride with one of the famous “Fiaker” (horse-drawn carriages). Departure or Extension of your stay in Vienna

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included