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.
Distance: 67 kms (42 miles) / Elevation Gain: 218 m (719 feet) / Saddle Time: 3-5 hours
Your journey begins by crossing the Schanzlbrücke bridge in Passau, following the Danube’s peaceful banks. Soon, you’ll pass through Engelhartszell, home to a Trappist monastery known for its herbal liqueurs. Continuing along quiet paths, you reach the famous Schlögen Bend, where the Danube twists dramatically through granite cliffs. After a short ferry ride across the river, enjoy the sweeping view of the loop before pedaling onward through rural villages and fertile farmland. The day concludes in Aschach an der Donau, a historic riverside town with pastel-colored townhouses and a welcoming atmosphere.
Distance: 59 kms (37 miles) / Elevation Gain: 115 m (380 feet) / Saddle Time: 3-5 hours
Leaving Aschach, cycle through the fertile Eferdinger Becken, a patchwork of fields and orchards. Soon, you’ll arrive in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, known for its vibrant arts and culture. Stroll through the Main Square, admire the Trinity Column, or visit the Ars Electronica Center with its futuristic exhibits. After a break, continue riding along the Danube to reach Au an der Donau, a peaceful riverside village with a traditional inn and warm Austrian hospitality.
Distance: 54 kms (33 miles) / Elevation Gain: 182 m (600 feet) / Saddle Time: 2.5-4.5 hours
Today’s route winds through the Machland, an agricultural plain rich with history and dotted with small farming villages. You’ll cycle past Grein, a romantic riverside town watched over by the medieval Greinburg Castle, then continue through varied scenery of rolling hills and wooded valleys. After crossing the Ybbs River, you’ll reach the small, historic town of Ybbs an der Donau, once an important Danube trading hub. Its old town streets and welcoming cafés invite you to relax after the day’s ride.
Distance: 58 kms (36 miles) / Elevation Gain: 177 m (584 feet) / Saddle Time: 3-5 hours
Leaving Ybbs, follow the river past Maria Taferl, its pilgrimage church high above the north bank. Soon, the imposing Melk Abbey appears on the horizon, one of Europe’s greatest Baroque masterpieces. Continue into the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for vineyards, apricot orchards, and medieval ruins. Pass charming towns such as Spitz and Weißenkirchen before arriving in Dürnstein, famous for its blue church tower and the castle ruins where Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned.
Distance: 50 kms (31 miles) / Elevation Gain: 75 m (248 feet) / Saddle Time: 2.5-4.5 hours
Start the day with a short cycle from Dürnstein to Krems, the eastern gateway to the Wachau Valley. After exploring the medieval old town and passing through the Steiner Tor, board a train to Tulln, the “City of Flowers.” From there, continue your ride along the Danube’s riverside paths, passing Greifenstein Castle and the impressive monastery at Klosterneuburg. The route leads straight into the heart of Vienna along the Donau Canal, where colorful street art sets the stage for your arrival in Austria’s capital. In the evening, enjoy Vienna’s imperial architecture, cozy coffeehouses, and hearty Austrian cuisine.
After breakfast, your journey along the Danube Cycle Path comes to an end. Depart at leisure, or extend your stay to explore Vienna’s imperial palaces, museums, and vibrant culinary scene.
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.
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.
Warmly welcoming you to one of the most traditional inns in the area. Our inn is located in the heart of the beautiful old town of Ybbs an der Donau, just a stone’s throw from the banks of the Danube.
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.
This tour is in our Moderate 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 intermediate biking experience.
If you are unsure of your ability, choose an e-bike during booking to glide along the route.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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