Danube River Landmarks

Incredible journey through forests, farms, hamlets and cities! Truly the
greatest way to experience a new culture.
Spending 10 quality days with my daughter exploring this beautiful part of
the world.


We were self guided


Make sure your GPS is up to date and your phone is charged. Maps and
directions can be challenging at times, many roads have no signs and
kilometer markers on your bike will be off as soon as you make a single side
trip or wrong turn. GPS got us back on track multiple times.


Research the towns along the way. Many are spectacular and we didn't leave
enough time to explore them.

My son and I cycled from Vienna to Budapest in early June. We had a great
time. The accommodation was fabulous all the way and the cycles were high
quality. The map and other information was very helpful and although we
didn't need it, help would have been at hand if anything had gone wrong. Most
of the cycling we did was on quiet roads or cycle lanes which made us feel
fairly safe. My only warning to prospective cyclists on this holiday is just
to point out that not much of it is actually along the Danube, probably
because there just isn't a decent path going along it I guess. Our highlight
was Gyor. Never heard of it? We hadn't either but it's a real gem.
Bratislava is really charming and Budapest is a city built on a grand scale.
Vienna? We weren't so impressed. Just a little bit too la di dah for our
taste but a city you have to see especially if like us you are big fans of
"The Third Man." Yes, the wheel is still there and yes we did go on it. You
have to, right?

The vast majority of this trip is in cycle paths separated from road traffic
with some lightly trafficked roads and only very occasional roads with
significant traffic, and even then you are usually separated from them by a
barrier of some type: in fact, if none of the above applies, you're probably
'lost' although that, too, is really difficult to do as the river is hard to
lose and the signage is excellent! A large proportion is on a Euro cycle path
from the Black Sea to the Atlantic and it is very well maintained: UK
councils could learn a thing or two about maintaining safe cycling
environments from the Austrians. The scenery is at times spectacular and
varies from day to day as the river meanders across Austria. The
accommodation we got was generally very good and there was usually somewhere
good to have dinner in the evening. Lunch stops were a bit thin on the ground
but we usually found somewhere. The bicycles were heavy but in very good
nick: the route is mostly flat and any slight downhills outnumber the uphills
- which often related to gaining the altitude required to cross over the
bridges over the river rather than anything else. There are churches in
abundance, from big to small and most towns have a schloss (castle). There
are some spectacular monasteries and when you get to Vienna, it is clear that
it was the centre of the world for quite a long time with monuments and
buildings to show for it! The distances are manageable - on the last day, you
can get a train to cut the distance down to about 50 km but we decided to
cycle from Krems to Vienna (about 90 km) and we survived!
The abbey at Melk is very impressive, and the old castle (ruins) at
Hinterhaus are worth a visit for the view (takes about 30-40 minutes off
saddle to walk up to it just before Spitz).


Not applicable

This is an easy ride; and the route is varied and very attractive. Virtually
none of the cycling is along roads with motor traffic; and I appreciated how
the sign-posted Danube cycle path diverted, from time to time, away from the
river bank to go through fields, woods and quiet villages. The hotels,
baggage transfers and logistics worked very well. I was impressed by the
quality of the accommodation -- and its variety.
The steep valleys and remoteness on the first two days. The Donauschlinge
resort at Schloegen is lovely.


Not applicable.


If you don`t have a GPS app or device, be wary of the (sometimes thin)
written instructions for getting into and out of some of the towns, as
supplied by the Radreisefreunde local organisers. You are given maps as well
as written directions, at the briefing meeting at the beginning. The maps
were generally excellent; but they don`t always correspond to where you`re
staying (they provide for multiple overnight accommodation alternatives --
and in some cases none of those apply to your particular itinerary). I found
difficulty getting out of Melk on the right track; and into the right place
in Vienna on the final day. However, overall, navigation was easy and
trouble-free.

The organisation worked well. Trip notes and maps together made route finding
easy. The route was varied and interesting; opportunities for eating and
drinking were many. The quality of hotels was good, though only two provided
tea or coffee making facilities in the room. The bikes were well-maintained,
but are rather heavy, so it was a good job the route was mostly flat. There
were no bottle cages provided, which made stopping for water a bit of a faff!
Overall, a very enjoyable week.
too many to mention.


not applicable as it was self-guided.


Make sure you have ridden a bike a lot in recent times. Savlon helps with
saddle soreness. Learn a bit of German, particularly to do with food and
drink. Being able to read a map is essential if you miss the direction signs,
though they are generally pretty clear.


I don't think so.

A great trip. The arrangements all worked very well, the bikes were waiting
for us at first hotel and were in excellent condtion. The cycling is
straightforward and not strenuous, leaving time for,sight seeing, meals,
drinks etc. There are numerous cafes and restaurants en route. The route is
clear and well signposted, and excellent maps and directions are also
provided.
Although short, the trip packs a lot in, and is very varied, The first day
passes through a lot of interesting and historic small towns and villages,
with castles etc. Tne second day is very peaceful and rural, and you stay
very close to the river. The third day is also rural and quite remote
initially, contrasting with arrival into Vienna -the approach through Donau
Insel linear park is surprisingly green and pleasant.
Hofels were all convenient and very comfortable, with excellent breakfasts.
Cycling very close to Danube, with no other people around, next to woods and
marshlands.
Seeing a rather large adder slither across the path in front of us!


N/A


Arrive in Melk early enough to allow time to visit abbey and explore town.
The route is much quieter outside weekends (although sharing the route with
many other cyclists on a Sunday had a very pleasant atmosphere),
We did it in April, which meant weather was warm and ideal for cycling - I
think it might be too hot in high Summer.