Directions to bicycle the Danube River Valley, Austria

Organize your own cycling trip, or take a commercial bike tour

Bike Rating: Excellent

Nature of the Ride: The Danube River (Donau in German) flows from its source at Donaueschingen in the Black Forest of Germany, to the Black Sea, 2900 kilometers (1,700 miles) downstream. Serbia and Romania are not considered safe for western bikers, on and off the road. In Germany and in Hungary, many bikers do follow the Danube . However, by far the most popular section for biking is the Austrian Danube between Passau, Germany (on the Austrian border) and Vienna, a total distance of 340 kilometers (~200 miles).

The reasons for this popularity lies in a great concentration of diverse views and tourist sights that brings new variety on each day of a ride; and the presence of wide bike paths (or very minor roads) that keep cyclists apart from traffic, usually right alongside the river. (Whereas, on the Danube in Germany one often rides on roads, and in Hungary, on roads and on highways.) Iin case of bad weather, river steamers provide a painless way to continue a journey.

The Danube bike route is excellent for families with children, and does in fact attract many families. The way is flat, without any hills at all (but you may climb out of the valley to visit sights, or for a change of pace). You ride usually along wide bike paths on the river banks, away from traffic, but occasionally bike on very minor roads or on narrower roadside bike paths. However, in order to reach hotels in some towns, you a must ride for short distances on city or town streets or walk on their sidewalks). Bicycling road signs, pointing to the main routes, to variants, to nearby sights, and to hotels, will usually clearly indicate your route.

You normally ride the Austrian Danube Bike Route from west to east, because the route gently slopes down with the river; because the prevailing wind is behind you; because the afternoon sun also lies behind you; and because sight-filled Vienna climaxes your trip. Usually there is a signed route on both sides of the river. Choose to ride on the side that has the best bike path, or the shortest way, or the most scenery. Bridges and ferries periodically link the two river banks.

Along the Danube route, at most stopover points, you will have a choice among many or modest and superior hotels. Most require that you eat breakfast and dinner at the hotel. During the author's trip to Vienna, all hotels were accommodating, clean and comfortable. One hotel dinner was "fair", another "very good", and four others, "good". Lunch can be found at many snack bars and small restaurants along or near the bike-route. Be sure to try at least one jausenstation, where a local family, in the country or on a farm, on picnic tables, serves you homemade cold cuts and cheeses on a wooden board.

Please refer to Bicycle Touring in Europe for important background on touring styles, transportation, bike types, rentals, maps, information sources, traffic ratings, packing, and security and safety tips. Star symbols in the text show ratings given by the Michelin green guide books, which the author likes and uses. Three stars mean worth a journey; two, worth a detour; and one, interesting.

When to Go: The best weather for this itinerary is mid-summer, when you run the least chance of rain. On the other hand, in mid-summer you do risk sweltering heat, which would be less likely in June or September. As a summer rider, also, you must book your hotel rooms in advance.

Tip: In the season, the bike paths can become crowded with riders, many of whom start each day from the same city. This is particularly true for those riders starting from Passau on a weekend. If convenient, start your trip mid-week. Try to be on the bike path by 9 a.m. or even earlier, because most families and groups will not leave until 9:30 or later.

Attractions: Your ride will take you by many castles, museums, churches, abbeys, quaint villages, beautiful towns, and some interesting cities, which are mentioned below. The Danube, itself, always pleasing and often lovely, is omnipresent.

Passau**, Germany, the starting point of the ride, is a charming town at the confluence of the Inn and Danube rivers. In addition to its architecture, it has a museum with an outstanding collection of glass. In subsequent days, you will visit the incredible Wilhering Monestary Church***, considered the height of flamboyant baroque architecture, and the Abatial Church of Melk***, a close second. The ruined fortress above Durstein has a fine view of the town and vineyards below. The cities of Linz* and Krems and Stein**, and the town of Grein are full of charm.

A short ride out of the valley leads to the interesting but somber Mauthausen concentration camp, or to castles of Artstetten** or Klam*. Two days before Vienna, picturesque vineyards line the river, where steep hills block the north wind. By the time you reach Vienna, one thing is certain: You will know more than you ever expected about flamboyant baroque architecture!

Vienna*** ("Wien" in the German language, pronounced Veen, is a major capital with many, many attractions, some of which will appeal to any taste. Do obtain a good guidebook to the attractions, to make the best use of your time.

From Vienna, you may wish to continue by bike, boat or train to Budapest*** on the Danube (perhaps with a brief stop in Bratislava) or to Prague***, both of which are fabulous art and architectural cities worth a multi-day visit.

The following page on Chuck Anderson's site has some excellent photos he took of the Austrian Danube while on a cross-Europe "camping" bike tour: http://www.cycletourist.com/Scenes/Austria/Donau_Sunsets.html

How to bike it: Organize the trip yourself, or take a commercially organized self-guided tour (with bike rentals, hotel reservations and baggage transport), or a guided tour. Several of the companies offering self-guided and guided tours are located in Austria, and may be found on the net. At least one USA bike touring company offers the trip. The author's self-guiding group used the hotel-reservation, bike-rental, and luggage-transport services of Rad&Reisen Eurocycle, in Vienna, and was satisfied with an excellent trip at a modest cost. (Contact info: http://www.eurocycle.at/index_en.php.) Most companies rent bicycles at Passau and collect them at Vienna.

Organizing the trip yourself:

Guidebook:

If you are organizing your own trip, or taking a self-guided trip, the author strongly recommends that you obtain the following bike guide book in English: "The Danube Bike Trail", available from Esterbauer in Austria. It contains detailed biking maps, sightseeing information, and hotel telephone numbers. (URL: www.esterbauer.com). (Note: A copy was provided by the tour company to each couple in the author's self-guiding group, at no additional cost. A German version of this book, entitled "Donau-Radweg II" is also available.)

If you are planning to bike other sections of the Danube route in Germany or Hungary (to Budapest), Esterbauer sells two other guide and map books you may wish to have, both in German: Donau-Radweg I (Germany sections of the Danube bike path), and Donau-Radweg III (Vienna-Budapest). Even if you dont read German, the detailed maps and hotel listings in these volumes will be helpful.

Distance and Time: 200 miles (340 kilometers), 7 days, with several extra nights suggested in Vienna.

Starting and Ending points: Starting point: Passau**, Germany. Several train routes lead through Passau. Many trains carry assembled bicycles. Ending point: Vienna*** (Wien). Many trains carry assembled bicycles. Trains return from Vienna to Passau almost every hour; the trip back by train takes 3 to 3 1/2 hours.

Rentals: Passau has a rental station affiliated with German rail. See detailed discussion of renting in Germany on my page Bicycle Touring in Europe Part II.

Lodging: If you are going to stay in hotels during the busy summer season, you absolutely should reserve them weeks in advance. If you are going to camp, the following site will help you find the campsites along the way: http://www.campsite.at/En. The individual campgrounds should be contacted in advance, to check their opening periods and availability.

To print itinerary, select the text below, right click, and choose 'print selection'.
Please follow this link for an explanation of the author's traffic ratings.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Passau** by rail. See very charming town and glass museum.

Day 2: Bike to Schlögen at the Danube pinched meander, about 44 kilometers. Climb on foot to the top of the ridge above hotel for a fine view. There is only one hotel, very large, with excellent meals.

Day 3: Bike to Linz*, about 53 kilometers. Be certain to stop at the Wilhering Church***.

Day 4: Bike to charming Grein, about 65 kilometers. You may wish to leave the valley to visit the concentration camp at Mauthausen, and again to visit the castle and countryside at Clam*, a change of pace from the Danube valley. The Clam trip shortens the route by about 5 kilometers, but takes longer, as there is a long climb. Inside the navigation museum (Schiffahrtsmuseum) at Grein, there is a nice view over the river.

Day 5: Pedal to Melk, about 51kilometers. Ybbs is a cute town worth a visit. An optional side trip, a steep climb out of the valley from Klein Pochlarn, leads to the Castle Museum of Artstetten.**. On the right bank, just before Melk, is the flamboyant baroque Stiftskirche (Abbey Church) of Melk***.)

Day 6: Bike to Krems**, about 40 kilometers. On the way, pass through the hills of the Wachau** region planted in grape vines. Visit Spitz*, Durstein*, and Stein*, charming towns all (and possibly climb on foot in Spitz to the ruined castle-fort of Hinterhaus, with its spectacular views).

Day 7: Ride to Vienna***, about 85 kilometers. You may shorten this ride by biking to Tulln, about 45 kilometers, and taking the train into Vienna. The principal pleasure of this riding day is nature, as marshy terrain lies along the bike path; it is possible to see many birds and rabbits, as well as, perhaps, some deer. The earlier the start, the more you are likely to see. Near Vienna, you will enter residential and industrial suburbs. As one approaches the center of Vienna, bicycle paths branch off in several directions , and the best route becomes unclear. Mark your destination on a good map of Vienna, in advance, and, if necessary, ask for directions. Consult a good tourist guide book for aid in choosing among the many wonderful sights and sounds in Vienna. If you have not visited Vienna before, be sure to allocate one or more additional nights.

To List of Best European Bike Tours

Home Page