Travel story Danube Cycle Path

IT BEGINS IN LINZ!

Along the stages of the Danube Cycle Path, especially from Salzburg, Linz, and Vienna, sustainable travel options are made easy. With the train, you have many choices, allowing you to start your individual cycling vacation in an eco-friendly way, which, by the way, is fully offset by us. In Linz, we begin our cycling break with pleasure. The cozy local spots in the historic heart of the city tempt with creative new dishes as well as traditional favorites. On the morning of our first cycling day, we review our travel documents, enjoy a coffee with a view of the Danube, and prepare for three stages along Austria's most popular cycling route!

Community centre on the Danube cycle path

Baroque Cities & Warm Hospitality

We leave the capital of Upper Austria and cycle on our rental bikes along the tranquil paths of the Danube. Here, you can truly unwind! The August heat is hardly noticeable, thanks to the cool breeze and occasional breaks by the water. Before long, we arrive at a historical gem: Grein in the Mühlviertel. The charming town center invites us to rest with apricot ice cream and coffee before heading to our accommodation in the nearby town. With the sun shining down, we continue from Grein along the southern bank of the Danube towards Melk. For me, this stretch offers the most beautiful part of our journey: it's peaceful, the cycle path is ours alone, the light dances on the water, the picturesque villages around each bend enchant the landscape, and finally, we are mesmerized by the imposing view of Melk Abbey. We wander through the old town, encountering many fellow cycling enthusiasts. A visit to the abbey and its paradise garden is highly recommended for art and

Bridge with Melk Abbey in the background

Active holidaymakers stroll through the town of Melk

Picturesque Vineyards

From Melk, you can look forward to the most beautiful scenic section: the gentle vineyards, transitioning to the steep terraces of the Wachau, accompany us with views of the sparkling Danube all the way to Krems. In the wine towns of Spitz, Weißenkirchen, and Dürnstein, we pause often to indulge in local delicacies or explore charming shops. The products of the Wachau, whether made from apricots or grapes, are something we’d love to enjoy long after – even at home.

In the final stretch to Krems, we pass the Rebentor, marking the end of our cycling journey along the Danube. With views of the rooftops of Krems, the Danube, and the vineyards in the background, we wrap up our cycling adventure here before heading to the last Heuriger of the Wachau for some well-deserved local cuisine.

Idyllic vineyards on the Danube cycle path

Guest garden in Dürnstein with a view of the Danube

Happy cyclists with a view of the church in Spitz

Foodies, pay attention:
Don’t miss out on these culinary delights!

Experience the welcoming Heurigen culture: Whether it’s homemade spreads, traditional Wachau Laberl, Jausen platters, or fresh salads, the Heurigen and Buschenschänken along the Danube offer authentic cuisine made with love for the ingredients!
The most popular salad in Austria – Backhendl Salad: Perfect for satisfying hunger between cycling sessions, it’s light on the stomach yet filling enough to keep you going!
Apricots in all forms: In Knödel (dumplings), as jam in a Palatschinke or with waffles, as a white wine spritzer, or even as schnaps.

Refreshing cider made from apples and pears: Along the route between Linz and Grein, you’ll find many orchards and cider taverns.
The best comes last – you must try the quality wines from the Wachau, especially the famous white wine varieties Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Did you know? In the Wachau, handpicking grapes is a requirement to ensure the high quality of the wines.

Conclusion

The goal of our journey was to take a short break from everyday life, with a bit of exercise and plenty of time to explore, stop at cozy spots, and indulge. A short tour along the Danube combined all our wishes and exceeded them! This brief stretch left us wanting more – more cycling along the Danube. We’ll be back and cycle more stages of one of our favorite routes.

Since I also enjoy longer and faster sessions with the gravel bike, I'm really excited about our new sporty option – a 3-stage cycling tour from Passau to Vienna along the Danube Cycle Path. Could this be something for you? Whether you prefer a leisurely ride or something a bit more challenging, there's something for every cyclist along the Danube!

My Favorite Place

My favorite spot on this Eurobike Original Tour is at the Rebentor. This section was once part of the old city wall. From here, you get a wonderful view of the old town of Stein – and on clear days, even of the Göttweig Abbey. Just a few steps away is the Frauenberg Church, one of the landmarks of Stein.

Two cyclists sit on a bench near the Rebentor gate