However, there is no need to fear congestion for cyclists, as the route close to the river is excellent, especially as the cycle path runs along both banks for long stretches. The Austrian Danube Cycle Route has just been awarded four stars by the ADFC as a quality cycle route. The range of leisure activities and services on offer is above average, from cycling holidays on a farm to luxury wellness hotels, from complete e-bike provision to mobile cycling masseuses.
Character:
The cycle route along the Danube is very well developed with predominantly asphalted cycle paths or low-traffic side roads. The well-signposted route often runs alongside the river on both sides without any significant gradients. Recommended for children aged ten and over.
Route:
Passau - Niederranna - Wilhering - Linz - Mauthausen - Enns - Grein - St. Nikola - Ybbs - Pöchlarn - Melk - Krems - Langenlois - Tulln - Vienna
Recommended in four to seven day stages.
Best time to travel:
Beginning of May to beginning of October
Journey:
The start and end towns of Passau and Vienna are easy to reach by train, as are many other towns along the route, such as Linz and Amstetten with the Danube bank railway and the Mühlkreisbahn. http://www.bahn.de/Fahrrad (Radfahrer-Hotline 01805/996633).
Bike service:
Addresses with bike hire (including e-bikes) and repair facilities can be found at http://www.donauradweg.at
Cycling hotels:
e.g. Pension Schütz in Wesenufer, http://www.pension-schuetz.at
Hotel Donauschlinge in Schlögen, http://www.donauschlinge.at
Landgasthof Zur schönen Wienerin in Marbach an der Donau, http://www.wienerin.co.at
Further addresses for cycle-friendly hosts can be found at http://www.donauradweg.at
Organiser:
Cycle tour offers e.g. at Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus (see below)
Maps/literature:
Bikeline "Danube Cycle Route - Part 2: Austrian Danube from Passau to Vienna", cycle tour book and map 1:50,000, 200 pages, 12.90 euros.
Information (general):
Donau Oberösterreich- WGD Tourismus GmbH, Lindengasse 9, A-4040 Linz, Tel. 0043-732/7277-800, http://www.danube.at
