River Danube Cycle Trail – North Bank
Europe’s most famous long-distance cycle trail
The north bank of the River Danube Cycle Trail attracts a great deal of attention. The trail offers a unique and diverse blend of different scenic impressions, picturesque towns and historic monuments. The trail leads along a towpath, where horses once pulled boats upstream, on a journey back to the historic beginnings of this trail along the banks of the Danube. You will also have a chance to experience the breathtaking scenery in all its beauty and diversity. The cycle trail is 90% traffic-free and is mainly downhill, leaving you enough energy and peace to enjoy the natural environment on a leisurely trip with your family.
The starting point is the bishopric town of Passau, which is an immediate highlight. The historic town centre and attractive location at the convergence of three rivers – the Inn, the Danube and the Ilz – give it a unique charm. Cyclists are carried off into the forested hills at the very beginning of the trail. The route then leads into the Donauleiten nature reserve, where you can marvel at the Schlögener Schlinge, where the Danube changes direction twice in quick succession.
The trail continues past Feldkirchen an der Donau and the palace of Schloss Ottensheim to the Upper Austrian capital of Linz, which was the European City of Culture 2009. At this point the character of the trail changes: it leads into the fertile plain of the Marchland, a region of excellent food and drink.
The Nibelungengau begins at Persenbeug and with it the section of the River Danube Cycle Trail through Austria’s largest federal state, Lower Austria. Shortly afterwards you will see the church of pilgrimage Maria Taferl above you. The trail continues past Melk Abbey, which marks the gateway to the Wachau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and internationally renowned wine-growing region. Wine-lovers will be right at home in the terraces of the vineyards and idyllic villages, which stretch 40 km upstream as far as Krems.
Enjoy a culinary cycle tour through the wine-growing region of Wagram and head onwards through the Tullner Donauraum region and the stretching floodplains of the Stockerauer Au to Vienna, the metropolis on the Danube. After seeing all the sights in the Austrian capital, it’s not far to the little town of Wolfthal and the border with Slovakia. The Slovakian capital of Bratislava is no distance from here.
Start: Passau
Aim: Bratislava
Passau
Bratislava
Level of difficulty:
Beginner/intermediateTerrain:
Gentle downhill and 90% free of traffic
Ideal time to travel
April - OctoberSignposting:
R1 in Upper Austria, R6 in Lower AustriaMobility & Return transfer:
The best option is the train.
Further information:
T: +43 732 7277 800E: info@donauregion.at
www.donauregion.at
Cycling accommodation providers in Austria River Danube Cycle Trail – North Bank
You will find bicycle-friendly accommodation establishments with the ADFC bett+bike seal of quality all along the best cycle trails in Austria. They range from small inns to 4-star hotels. If you’re looking for accommodation on particular cycle trails or in particular Austrian states, you can use the filters options.
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