Why this route in particular?
The Danube Cycle Path between Passau and Vienna is the most-ridden long-distance cycle route in Europe, and for good reason: it runs almost entirely on dedicated paths along the river, has no climbs worth mentioning and a village with an inn every ten kilometres. You can ride it on a touring bike, an e-bike or with children, and if you want a hotel in the evening, you will find one in every stage town.
I rode it in September, with luggage transfer and pre-booked hotels. That takes all the stress out of the trip: leave your suitcase at reception in the morning, set off, and in the evening it is waiting at the next hotel.
The six stages
Stage 1, Passau – Schlögen (45 km): an easy warm-up on the south bank of the Danube, through the narrow valley to the Schlögen loop, where the river turns 180 degrees. Stay right at the loop; the view from the lookout in the morning is the finest of the whole route.
Stage 2, Schlögen – Linz (55 km): the valley opens up, the Eferding basin, then Linz. In the evening, head into the old town or up the Pöstlingberg.
Stage 3, Linz – Grein (65 km): past Mauthausen (memorial site, allow time for it) into the Strudengau, the narrowest stretch of the Danube, with the little town of Grein as the destination.
Stage 4, Grein – Melk (50 km): through the Nibelungengau to Melk, whose abbey can be seen above the river from far away. Visit the abbey in the afternoon.
Stage 5, Melk – Krems (40 km): the Wachau: vineyards, apricot trees, Dürnstein and Spitz. The shortest stage, deliberately – a Heuriger wine tavern in the evening, and this is where a rest day pays off.
Stage 6, Krems – Vienna (75 km): through the Tullnerfeld and along the edge of the Vienna Woods to the Donauinsel; the last kilometres along the island into the city make a lovely finish.
My tips for the Danube Cycle Path
- Ride both banks: between Passau and Linz the south side is quieter, in the Wachau the north side (Dürnstein, Weissenkirchen) is the prettier – ferries and bridges make switching easy.
- Return by train: trains from Vienna to Passau carry bikes, reserve a space; package operators organise the return transfer by coach.
- E-bike or not: the route is flat, but a headwind from the west is normal; with an e-bike the Wachau stage stays relaxed, even for less experienced companions.
Book a package or organise it yourself?
I recommend booking the Danube Cycle Path as a package: hotels, luggage transfer, route book and return transfer are all organised, you ride with light luggage and your room is guaranteed in the evening – especially in the Wachau, where everything is fully booked in May and September. Prices for seven nights are usually between 700 and 1,100 francs per person, e-bike hire extra. I know the operators below and can recommend them.
The second option is to organise it yourself: book hotels individually on Booking.com, carry your own luggage or hire a local luggage service – more effort, but completely flexible.
