Danube cycling in Germany and Austria

The journey begins in a deep valley with craggy outcroppings topped with the ruins of ancient castles. You’ll soon see the hills give way to the rolling vineyards of the Wachau region, dotted with the traditional medieval towns. As the river broadens the landscape alters. Flat pastures spread to the horizons, and you’ll cycle your way through farms and villages. It’s a scenic route, paved and mostly traffic-free, following an ancient tow path where teams of horses once pulled barges up this magical river.

The tour ends in the impressive Austrian capital, Vienna. With all the major sights accessible by bike it couldn’t be more enjoyable to explore.

This is an excellent tour for mellow ‘peddlers’ and families with children, with children’s bikes, seats and trailers available.

If you would prefer to take your time or would like another couple of days in this beautiful region 10 days options are also available. There is also the chance to shorten some of the day’s riding, by boarding one of the trains or boats catering for bicycles.

Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Passau
Today you Arrive in Passau, the City of Three Rivers, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube Rivers. You'll have the chance to stretch your legs with a sightseeing wander around the city and maybe visit the impressive cathedral or museum of modern art.

Day 2: Passau - Aschach (43 miles)
You pass the charming town of Engelhartszell with its unique Trappist monastery and breathtakingly beautiful rococo church. The monastery also makes its own brandies, which you might pick up to enjoy at the end of the days riding. After riding through granite massifs, the route opens into an opulent green landscape before following the river around a 270 degree bend near Schlögen. From here you ride on to tonights accomdation in Aschach. Overnight in Aschach.

Day 3: Aschach - Enns/Perg (33 miles)
Today you pass under the watchful gaze of old castles that look down from the surrounding hilltops. Early today you pass through Linz, Austria's third-largest city, with an historic market square surrounded by baroque buildings. The majestic fifteenth-century Linz Citadel stands watch over the Danube. You might want to board Europe's steepest mountain railway to climb the Pöstlingberg, a hill overlooking the city. The train, which still operates with its original 19th -century cars, covers nearly 2 miles and about 825 vertical feet in 16 minutes and offers a fantastic view out over the river.

A side-trip of about 10 miles takes you to St. Florian, a small Danube town dominated by its Augustine Abbey, recognized as one of the finest baroque buildings in Europe. Beyond its architectural splendor, St. Florian also contains the so-called “Bruckner Organ” with its 7,386 pipes. Organist and composer Anton Bruckner played the organ and is buried in a crypt beneath it. Behind Bruckner's tomb, more than 6,000 skeletons are stacked in neat rows. Monks have served in the abbey since 1071.

You continue past two medieval castles to the Enns River and head a few miles upstream to Enns, the oldest city in Austria. Enns is picture-perfect with its medieval tower, fortifications and its Renaissance and Baroque façades. Overnight in Enns or Perg.

Day 4: Enns/Perg - Maria Taferl (43 miles)
Past Enns, a winding road overlooking the Danube ends starkly at the concentration camp in Mauthausen.This is an optional side trip which offers a stark insight into a tragic period in the area's history.The memory of its terrors stands in tragic counterpoint to the landscape below.

In Wallsee, you might want to take the time to visit the 14 th -century Wallsee Castle, still in the possession of the Habsburgs. Past the tiny village of Ardagger, you ride under the mighty Fortress Clam. You explore the fertile farmland of the Danube Valley, with rural towns and picturesque farms. Grein with its imposing castle soon comes into view which for many is one of the highlights of the trip. With only 2,800 residents, Grein is one of Austria's smallest towns. Due to its strategic location above rapids on the Danube, the city became quite rich during the 16th and 17th centuries, and the wealth is still evident in the elaborate houses built around the town square.

After Grein, the Danube starts getting narrower, the valley is tighter and increasingly more craggy, making it all the more impressive when you round a sharp bend to find  the ruins of an ancient castle looming over you.

You stop at the Persenbeug Castle, which still watches over the Danube from a stark rock outcropping. It dates from the 9th century, although its current form is “only” 400 years old. You cross the river to Ybbs, with its recently restored old town with winding lanes, quiet courtyards and homes from the 15th and 16th centuries. Astondingly, much of the historic town wall is still intact. The day's ride ends in Maria Taferl which is located on a small hill and so to rest those weary legs you will get a transfer for the last miles. Overnight in Maria Taferl.

Day 5: Maria Taferl - Krems (43 miles)
You begin the day by following the Danube around a tight curve and after a short ride you arrive at another tour highlight: the Melk Abbey. The Benedictine Abbey, a magnificent baroque structure built between 1702 and 1736, surrounds seven courtyards and stretches 1,065 from end to end. You can take a tour of the abbey and the adjacent English landscape garden if you fancy a break from the saddle. Melk marks the official start of the Wachau, Austria's most famous wine-growing region. Vineyards stretch up the sides of the valley, and wine villages lie along the river as well as in the neighboring hills. From Spitz, in the heart of the Wachau, you can make a short hike to the ruins of the Hinterhaus castle and look across to the Tausendeimerberg - the Mountain of a Thousand Buckets so named because of the abudence of grapes that grow there - where vineyards are carved into hillside terraces. You soon reach Krems, which you enter through its impressive Stone Gate. The 1000-year- old town is surrounded by vineyards and filled with historic buildings - including churches, monasteries and fortifications. If you have had your fill of churches and castles for the momment Krems also offers a nice selection of cafes, shops, bars and bistros. Overnight in Krems.

Day 6: Krems - Tulln/Stockerau (29 miles)
You travel along dams, locks and trails as the valley broadens and flattens. Here the river flows off into oxbows and meanders, and the setting often feels more like remote wetlands (with ample wildlife) than one of the world’s mightiest rivers. In Tulln, known as the “Flower City,” you can enjoy a ride along the medieval town walls and look for relics from Roman times. Overnight in Tulln or Stockerau.

Day 7: Tulln/Stockerau - Vienna (24 miles)
Unfortunately your final day cycling but you still need to pass Klosterneuburg with its imposing monastery before you reach the Vienna for your final night. If you still have the energy Vienna is a fantastic city which is well worth investigating. Overnight in Vienna central located.

Day 8: Departure
The time has come to head home but not before some last minute sightseeing and a chance to get those souveniers you promised everyone back home.

Equipment
We provide everything except a bike (although we are able to hire these, see booking form for details), personal equipment and clothing. If you are taking your own bike, it is imperative that it is in good mechanical order. If you are not mechanically minded, we advise you to take your bike to a local bicycle dealer for a service. Details of which spares you should take will be included in the Information Pack sent with your booking confirmation.

What the price doesn't include
A) Personal clothing and equipment.
B) Lunch and evening meals (unless on the half board option, £145).
C) Travel insurance (available if required, £26).
D) Bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs, etc.
E) Bike hire (available if required, £65).
F) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions.
G) Travel arrangements to the first nights hotel.