It is one of the most beautiful routes along the Danube that you can experience by bike: The tour from Passau in Bavarian to the Austrian capital of Vienna is a challenge for body and mind, but at the same time an unforgettable journey through picturesque landscapes and charming cities. My colleague cycled this route on May 1 with her boyfriend and reports here about her experiences.
Preparation and journey
The trip begins with a relaxed train trip to Passau (included in the Germany ticket), where you spend the night in a hotel. Your packing list is well thought out down to detail – from bicycle clothing to sunscreen to patch stuff. Everything is safely stowed in the bike bags. For two people, they share a total of two fork bags, a seatbag, top tube and under tube bag as well as a small handlebar bag. “We had a detergent out of the tube and washed our sports clothes and hung up to dry in the evening so that we could save space,” says my colleague. Otherwise they were very minimalistic to save weight.
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Day 1: Passau to Mauthausen
In the early morning, the duo at the Passau main train station starts and bicycles on the northern side of the Danube. The first highlight is the Schlögener Schlinge. The 15 percent slope to this viewpoint is a sporting challenge, but the breathtaking view of the Danube lies rewards the effort. In Aschach on the Danube you treat yourself to a well -deserved lunch break. We continue to Linz, where the two change the river side by bike ferry. A piece of real Linz cake in the café is the perfect energy supplier. The daily destination is Mauthausen, where my colleague and her friend spend the night on an idyllic farm. On May 1st, the maypole festival in Mauthausen offers the perfect opportunity to end the evening comfortably. The daily distance is 132 kilometers.
Note: You don’t have to cycle up on the Schlögener Siege, you can also leave the wheels down and take a small hike.
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Day 2: Mauthausen to Zwentendorf
After a rich breakfast, the tour starts again towards Ybbs on the Danube, where a short break is taken. The lunch destination is Melk, where the cyclists visit the impressive monastery, a World Heritage Site and explore the city. The saddlebags are safely stowed away in lockers in the monastery so that they can stroll through the alleys without worries and enjoy a delicious lunch. After lunch, they continue cycling and with the increasing kilometers the landscape is also changing. The team comes to the Wachau and cycle past wineries and through apricot plantations. In Krems, they reward themselves with a large apricot ice cream cup before moving to Zwentendorf. The proud daily distance is 163 kilometers on the second bike day. The goal was to have as few kilometers as possible for the last stage to Vienna, so that there is still enough strength for sightseeing in Vienna.
Day 3: Zwentendorf to Vienna
The last day begins with a breakfast in Tulln on the Danube before the duo turns into the last stage towards Vienna. The proximity to the capital is noticeable, because more and more day trippers cross the way. Once in Vienna, the cyclists jump into the Old Danube for refreshment before completing their adventure with a photo of the evidence before St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The daily distance is 56 kilometers. The evening in company of friends rounds off the trip perfectly. The next day the train goes back, with timely bicycle reservations are essential.
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Conclusion: a dream for cyclists
This tour is a real highlight for every cyclist. The route is excellently signposted, only has tar roads and hardly has any altitude, but goes down the river and offers fantastic landscapes – from impressive castles and castles to picturesque river landscapes and idyllic orchards. The infrastructure is well designed for cyclists, with many farms and private accommodation along the route. “We were lucky with the weather and can recommend the tour to anyone, regardless of age and condition,” reports my colleague. Depending on your mood, you can vary the route. The tour can be driven on both sides of the Danube. If you want some variety, you can also use one of the many wheel ferries and then continue on the other side of the Danube. There are numerous farms, hotels and private rooms along the route that are set to cyclists. “We planned our tour spontaneously and called at lunchtime whether there is still space in the accommodation. However, it is advisable to reserve the accommodations in advance when leaving on Saturday or Sunday in Passau.”
This bike tour from Passau to Vienna is not only a sporty adventure, but also a journey full of discoveries and enjoyment. “We would do it again at any time,” my colleague proudly says that he has made the route.
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