The Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Vienna
October 20, 2025
River Navigation
The "Donauradweg" is arguably Europe's most famous long-distance cycling route. The classic segment runs 300 kilometers from the German border town of Passau into the heart of Vienna. Geographically, this route is unique because it is nearly perfectly flat, following the river's downstream gradient through the Upper Austrian valley.
The Schlögener Schlinge
A geographic highlight occurs near the town of Schlögen, where the Danube makes a dramatic 180-degree turn, doubling back on itself due to hard granite bedrock that the water could not erode. Cyclists here are forced to take a small ferry to the left bank to continue the journey.
The Wachau Valley
The final stretch passes through the Wachau, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape formed by the river cutting through the Bohemian Massif. The climate here is distinct, protected from cold northern winds, allowing for steep terraced vineyards that have existed since Roman times.