Tour 4: Passau - Schlögen - Passau (80 km)
THE TOUR
Take the northern route there and the southern route back or vice versa. It is best to choose the route according to the position of the sun. Interesting places await after the start in the three-river city of Passau on both banks of the Danube. The view of Krämpelstein Castle, perched on a rock, is impressive. Culture fans will be delighted by the murals in St Peter's Church in Pyrawang. The absolute highlight, however, requires a bit of sweat and fitness: a steep footpath leads up to the Danube view of the Schlögener Schlinge.
VISUAL VALUE
Schlögen Loop Over thousands of years, the Danube has formed an impressive meander.
Roman Burgus of Oberranna The archaeological sensation in the Upper Danube Valley. The fortifications and the Schlögen Roman Park are among the highlights of the Upper Austrian Provincial Exhibition 2018.
Engelszell Abbey Rococo church and the only Trappist monastery in Austria. Trappist beer, cheese and liqueur are also produced there.
Mini-Danube water experience Theme park and large aquarium with the "Giant of the Danube", a 2 metre long sturgeon in Engelhartszell.
Boat trips on the Danube Be a Danube captain yourself at Witti in Freizell
DRIVING IN TIP
It's not just fish fans who like to stop off here - Gasthof-Pension Luger in Kramesau on the banks of the Danube.
TOUR-INFO
Tour combinations Inn Cycle Route R3, Mühlviertel Cycle Route R5, Mühltal Cycle Route R26, Roman Cycle Route R6
Bike-friendly accommodation
Hotel Donauschlinge in Schlögen
Tour 5: Schlögen - Linz - Schlögen (110 km)
THE TOUR
The Danube once again points the way for this enjoyable two-day excursion, regardless of whether you choose the north or south bank.
along. Only at Feldkirchen does the route briefly run somewhat inland. The route can be varied slightly using ferries or bridges. In addition to the wild and romantic Danube valley near Schlögen with its steep forest slopes, the market town of Aschach with its old town houses is also impressive. Further south, it is worth taking a detour away from the Danube to Eferding, the third oldest town in Austria.
VISUAL VALUE
Cistercian Abbey Wilhering Monastery with one of the most beautiful rococo churches in Austria.
Bathing lakes Feldkirchen Swimming, chilling out, flirting or a hearty snack at a local cider tavern.
City of Culture Linz You should definitely take some time to visit the UNESCO City of Media Arts, at least for a slice of Linzer Torte on the banks of the Danube.
DRIVING IN TIP
Fischgasthof Aumüller in Obermühl on the Danube. Delicious fish from bream to pikeperch or fiery red crayfish.
TOUR-INFO
Tour combinations Mühltalradweg R26, Traunradweg R4, Eferdinger Landlradweg R18
Bike-friendly accommodation
Black eagle in Ottensheim
Tour 6: Linz - Grein - Linz (146 km)
THE TOUR
The tour starts at the main square in Linz and heads towards the Danube cycle path. Afterwards, the "Kul-Tour" repeatedly wanders away from the Danube into the hinterland, for example on the Machland cycle path via Naarn to Perg and Mitterkirchen. After a worthwhile stop in the Celtic village, the route leads away from the Danube again to Klam and the hilly Bad Kreuzen with its striking castle. The turning point of the 150-kilometre tour is Grein an der Donau. After Greinburg Castle, the Danube cycle path again mostly leads the way, back westwards to Baumgartenberg and Au. In Mauthausen, the bikes get onto the river ferry.
And on the south side of the Danube, the route leads further inland to Enns. Other spots include the Summerauerhof open-air museum and the Anton Bruckner Trail, which leads us back to the Danube. Culture fans should plan a short detour to St Florian's Abbey. At the Danube power station in Abwinden-Asten, we cross back over to the north bank and return to Linz via Steyregg and Urfahr on the approach route.
VISUAL VALUE
Celtic village Mitterkirchen Impressive reconstruction of a Celtic settlement from the Hallstatt period. Interesting events.
Greinburg Castle In Austria's oldest residential castle, you can visit the knights' halls, among other things.
City of Enns Magnificent, historic centre with the town tower as a landmark.
St Florian's Abbey The mighty baroque monastery near Linz is known far beyond the borders of Austria as a place of pilgrimage.
Paneum The Wunderkammer of Bread in St Florian, with exciting architecture and interesting exhibitions.
Clam Castle Medieval fortress of Count Clam with a brilliant concert programme.
DRIVING IN TIP
Schörgis Batzl-Guglhupf in Grein
TOUR-INFO
Tour combinations Traunradweg R4, Ennstalradweg R7, Mühlviertelradweg R5, Aist-Naarntalradweg R30
Bike-friendly accommodation Hotel Florianerhof in St Florian
E-BIKE TIPS
The brochure "41 circular cycle routes around the Danube Cycle Path" contains tour suggestions, maps, e-bike hire points and e-charging stations along the Danube Cycle Path.
Info under www.donauregion.at
