Austria: Danube River Biking Adventure

DAY 1 > Meet in Passau, Germany

We meet after lunch at our hotel in the Bavarian fairytale-esque city of Passau, regarded as one of the most beautiful in Germany. Known as the city of Three Rivers, it sits at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz, and Danube Rivers. You can actually see the marriage of the waters as they unite into one river: green water from the Inn, the black water of the Ilz and, of course, the blue Danube. Old Town, where we’ll spend the night, has picturesque squares, brightly colored Baroque and Gothic houses, soaring towers, romantic winding alleyways and lovely promenades along the rivers. After introductions and an orientation to our bikes, we’ll embark on an introductory ride up the Inn River before returning to our hotel to check in and have a festive first dinner together!   Biking Distance: 22 Kilometers / 14 Miles

DAY 2 > Passau to Schlögen, Austria

We wish Passau a fond auf wiedersehen after breakfast and hit the trail, passing into Austria partway through our ride. The steeply rising slopes along the river form the edge of the Bavarian forest, and over millennia the Danube has cut a path through rock up to a thousand feet. The south-facing riverbanks are exposed to strong sunshine and that warmth has created a thriving environment for plants, trees and animals...and recreationists like us! Across the river, you’ll see the mighty Vichtenstein Castle, dating back to the 12th century, standing in front of the tallest peak in the region. Not far after is the famous Schlögen bend, where the Danube met its match: it couldn’t penetrate the rock here and so makes a couple of 180-degree turns to get around it. It is a scenic spot and we’ll spend the night here at a resort along the river. We left time in the day to make the 30-minute hike up to the lookout above the village of Schlögen, where you’ll get a view of the river’s dramatic loops as well as a panorama of the Donauleiten forest. A drink on the terrace while watching the river steamers and barges pass by might be appropriate for tonight’s dinner at the resort.   Biking Distance: 44 Kilometers / 27 Miles

DAY 3 > Schlögen to Linz, Austria

Our ride this morning starts out by continuing our way along the giant bends in the river. In the town of Untermuhl the rocky slope under the Neuhaus Castle (one of the largest castle complexes in Austria that is now a private home) is not passable by bike so we must take a ferry for 800 meters to get around it! People prospected for gold in these parts and also successfully harvested pearls out of the mussels in the river’s tributaries. We’ll also pass a hydroelectric power station, fields, farmhouses, and forests before arriving in Linz for the night. Linz’s enormous medieval square influenced the city’s economic development over the centuries but it is now known as one of Europe’s “capitals of culture,” particularly for its digital art. Our lodging is close to the city center and you’ll have time to get out and about to explore the third largest city and the second largest shopping street (called Landstrass) in Austria tonight before dinner.   Biking Distance: 54 Kilometers / 34 Miles

DAY 4 > Linz to Grein, Austria

Today is one of our longest rides of the week. Downstream from Linz, the landscape returns to the green and fertile open countryside and through storybook towns. You may wish to leave the valley for a short uphill detour to the Mauthausen Memorial, a former concentration camp that is now an international site of remembrance and a place of historical and political education. Another option for a detour is the castle and countryside at Clam, now used in the summer as a concert venue for up to 10,000 people, which will give those of you itching for some hills a more physically demanding ride to Grein. The river narrows markedly and the current becomes swifter a few kilometers before reaching the charming town of Grein. This is a difficult stretch of water that has been long feared by ship captains. For a change of pace, we stay in a small pension tonight.   Biking Distance: 72 Kilometers / 45 Miles

DAY 5 > Grein to Melk, Austria

After yesterday’s longer ride, you can take it easier today. One of the prettiest structures along the Danube is the Persenbueg Palace (owned by the Habsburgs), at the confluence of the Struden River, another perilous place for ship captains. The town of Persenbueg was an important shipbuilding town in the past. Near here it is possible to take a side trip up the beautiful Ysper Valley, where one can explore the ruins of a castle and safely swim in the “old arm” of the Danube before reaching our home for the night: the town of Melk. Melk is home to a remarkable Benedictine Abbey. With its museum, library, garden, and pavillion, it is considered the height of the flamboyant baroque architecture. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a 4-course gourmet dinner at our hotel.   Biking Distance: 51 Kilometers / 26 Miles

DAY 6 > Melk to Tulln, Austria

Today is our longest route of the week and we get to spend the better part of our day in the Wachau, one of Austria’s best-known wine growing regions. Today’s ride offers some of the most beautiful landscapes along the entire Danube. Picturesque vineyards line the river here and steep terraced hills help block the wind. The best vineyards are located between Spitz and Durnstein, so a glass of wine with lunch (such as the young and spicy Gruner Veltliner or the noble and fruity Rheinriesling) is definitely in order today! Art history lovers: today is the day we pass by the town of Willendorf! When the Danube railway was being built in 1908, workers unearthed the “Venus of Willendorf,” a carving of a plump naked female form that represents fertility and is one of the most accomplished art pieces from the stone age. Eventually, the valley spreads into expansive flood plains and meadows. We reach the good-sized town of Tulln, the center of which is dominated by single-story houses with rural character and medieval elements. Tonight’s dinner is “on your own.”   Biking Distance: 80 Kilometers / 50 Miles

DAY 7 > Tulln to Vienna, Austria

You have the option to skip the biking today and instead take a 45-minute train ride directly to Vienna and spend the day exploring this rich and historic city. However, many bikers will regard the final stretch to Vienna as the highlight of their tour. The principal pleasure of this riding day is nature! Near Vienna, you will enter residential and industrial suburbs and eventually veer right along the canal’s bike path into the center of the city. We’ll celebrate all 200+ miles of this week’s journey with a special farewell dinner.   Biking Distance: 40 Kilometers / 25 Miles

DAY 8 > Auf Wiedersehen!

We’ll enjoy a walk in the historical center of Vienna before returning to the hotel to check out. From here, you are free to continue your journey or depart for home. The airport is a 20-minute shuttle from our hotel.