Blue Danube Cycle to Vienna in Comfort

Make your way to your hotel, where you will receive your travel documents. The remainder of the day is free to explore the town. Nestled at the meeting point of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, Passau is known as the “City of Three Rivers”. Its charming old town is filled with baroque architecture, narrow cobblestone streets and colourful houses that reflect the town’s Bavarian character. Highlights include St Stephen’s Cathedral, home to the world’s largest cathedral organ, and the hilltop Veste Oberhaus fortress, offering sweeping views over the rivers. Passau’s riverside promenades, cafés and markets make it a delightful place to explore before beginning your Danube cycling journey. Collect your bike this afternoon (4.00pm-7.00pm) or tomorrow morning.

If you pick up your bike this morning, the cycle begins directly at the bike garage. Today’s ride takes you along the Upper Danube Valley towards Schlögen, following the river’s gentle course. Along the way you’ll pass through Engelhartszell, an Austrian border town known for its historic abbey, which dates back to 1293 and has been home to Austria’s only Trappist monastery since 1925. Continue on to Schlögen, where the renowned Schlögener Blick lookout offers sweeping views of the Danube and the surrounding countryside. Tonight’s accommodation will be in Schlögen or the nearby village of Sankt Agatha.

As you follow the Danube, small passenger ferries connect the riverbanks, offering a charming way to cross. On the southern bank you’ll pass Aschach before cycling through the fertile Eferding Basin. The route continues past Wilhering Abbey before reaching Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. Linz is known for its vibrant arts and music scene – Mozart composed his Symphony No. 36 here, now called the “Linz Symphony”. Highlights include the striking Lentos Museum of Modern Art, beautifully lit at night along the river, and the historic main square, perfect for an evening stroll. If you’d like more time to explore, you can add an extra night in Linz on request.

Follow the Danube Cycle Path with the option to stop in Enns, Austria’s oldest town, or cross the river to visit the former Mauthausen concentration camp and museum. Please note the detour involves a steep uphill section. The route then leads through peaceful meadows and countryside, passing the reconstructed Celtic village of Mitterkirchen, the impressive church at Baumgartenberg, and the romantic Clam Castle before arriving in the riverside town of Grein. Here you can visit Austria’s oldest theatre, open to the public. Continue on to the Strudengau region. Travellers booked in Category A hotels will overnight in Ardagger, approximately 10km before Grein.

Cycle through the striking scenery of the Strudengau, where the river winds between steep, forested rock formations. You’ll soon reach Ybbs, once an important Danube trading hub, before continuing past the pilgrimage church of Maria Taferl, perched high above the river. Long before you arrive in Melk, the impressive Benedictine Abbey comes into view, dominating the skyline. In the afternoon you’ll have time to explore the abbey and museum, and enjoy the sweeping panorama from its balcony. Tonight’s stay is in the Nibelungengau, the region surrounding Melk.

Today you pedal through the celebrated Wachau Valley, a landscape of terraced vineyards, apricot orchards and charming riverside villages. Along the way to Krems you’ll pass the wine villages of Spitz, Weissenkirchen and Dürnstein, as well as historic abbeys, castles and ruins. You might choose to pause your ride for a short boat trip on the Danube, or stop at a traditional Heurigen wine tavern to sample local wines and regional specialities. Tonight you’ll stay in Krems or the surrounding area.

This morning begins with a train ride to Tulln*, followed by a scenic cycle through the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald) towards Austria’s capital. On the way, we recommend a stop at Klosterneuburg to visit its impressive monastery before continuing into Vienna, the world-famous “City of Music”. The approach into the city is almost entirely on a dedicated cycle path with no traffic, offering safe and straightforward access to the city centre and your hotel. *If you’d prefer to ride from Krems to Tulln instead of taking the train, this will add approximately 40km /25mi to your day’s journey.

Your trip concludes after breakfast. Before you leave, take time to enjoy Vienna’s highlights – wander through the lively Naschmarkt, admire the State Opera House, or stroll along the Ringstrasse lined with grand architecture. Don’t miss the Schönbrunn Palace with its elegant gardens, and the renowned Kunsthistorisches Museum. If you’d like to extend your stay and explore further, we can assist with additional night bookings in Vienna.