Cycling at the Danube in Austria for Epicure

Once you’ve arrived, why not saunter through the tranquil alleys of this seemingly Mediterranean city where Danube, Inn and Ilz meet. It has loads to offer for everyone interested in culture and history. We recommend you visit the Dome of St. Stephen which thoroughly dominates the cityscape, or the pilgrimage church of Mariahilf. Or, you could instead opt for a leisurely cup of coffee in the historic centre.

You start your tour on the northern bank of the Danube and cycle through the Upper Danube Valley to the small market town of Obernzell. A little later you cross the border to Austria and arrive in Engelhartszell with its famous Trappist monastery. At the Donauschlinge, the Danube winds in a tight loop around a huge granite hill on which the romantic Haichenbach ruins are enthroned. From Au you cross over to the other bank by ferry and reach your stage destination.

Through the bird paradise of the Eferdinger Becken and various small market villages, today’s stage will take you to Linz. The state capital of Upper Austria was European Capital for Culture in 2009 and is home to the Lentos, one of Austria’s most important museums for contemporary art. The Linz City Express will take you to all the city’s important sights. You can enjoy a beautiful view of the city from the Pöstlingberg.

Today, you will be cycling through the Machland region, home to Enns, Austria’s oldest settlement. A quick detour to the baroque monastery of St. Florian is also worthwhile. On your route you will encounter a relic from the darkest chapter of history, the Mauthausen Concentration Camp. Today’s final destination is Ardagger / Wallsee at the entrance to the Strudengau. This tight and woody Danube valley once struck fear into skippers trying to navigate it, due to its many whirlpools.

Shortly after departing you will reach the small baroque town of Grein. Why not visit the historic municipal theatre, a Rococo building from 1791, and Castle Greinburg, while you stroll through it. All along the blue Danube you will cycle to Lower Austria. Right on the southern perimeter of the forest quarter you will find Marbach. With its parish church, Maria Taferl is one of the most relevant pilgrimage sites in Austria.

The impressive baroque building of the Benedictine Monastery Stift Melk towers high above the Danube’s bank and is part of the UNESCO world heritage site. The same is true for the cultural landscape of the Wachau, which spreads out from here to Krems. You will be cycling past orchards and vineyards, ever onwards alongside Europe’s second-longest river. Later in the day, there’s also a wine tasting on the agenda.

After five long days, you’ve definitely deserved having a day of rest in the Wachau region. You can experience the region’s beauty and its residents’ hospitality on a nice walk. Small wine villages, such as Spitz or Weißenkirchen are huddled up against the Danube’s shores. The blue-white tower of the Dürnstein abbey church is seen as the Wachau’s main landmark. Thoroughly enjoy this day – it’s not far now to Vienna.

Until you reach Krems, you will once again be cycling through the fruit- and wine region of Wachau. Afterwards, you will be rewarded with a completely different landscape: In front of you, you will see the vast Tullnerfeld, with the Roman town of Tulln in its centre. Several market gardens and flowerbeds shape the townscape of this historically relevant settlement, to the extent that it is nicknamed flower town.

After you’ve hopefully not missed out on the town’s several gardens, the last few miles of your trip will take you to Vienna. The Danube metropolis knows to impress with its historical mansions and modern cultural scene. Treat yourself to a slice of Sacher cake in one of Vienna’s characteristic cafes, stroll through its historic centre or go on a Fiacre ride past all the impressive sights.

After breakfast your cycling holiday on the Danube in Austria comes to an end. We would be happy to extend your stay in Vienna.