Overview
For a quick hit of laid-back cycling in Austria, this five day self-guided holiday is as sweet as strudel. Starting in Melk, just 90km from Vienna, on the Danube, your first day of cycling is on its famous cycle path. You also base yourself in a four star hotel in Melk for all five days of this trip, so you can head off on various different cycling trails for the duration, taking in the vineyards and sunny slopes of Austria’s famous Wachau Wine Region. This trip also includes a journey on the Pielach Valley Cycle Path.
- Benedictine Abbey in Melk
- Artstetten Castle
- Maria Taferl
- Sankt Pölten
- Danube Cycle Path
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Melk/Emmersdorf
Start your cycling holiday on the Danube Cycle Path at Melk. After check in and getting your trip documentation and bikes sorted, Melk’s Benedictine Abbey, its impressive library, elegant architecture and gardens are a great way to start your trip.
- Accommodation: Hotel Zum Schwarzen Bären in Emmersdorf or similar
Day 2: Round trip Artstetten via Maria Taferl | 40km
The first leg of the Danube Cycle Path leads to Artstetten where its Habsburg castle is definitely worth a visit. Cycle onwards to Maria Taferl where one of the highlights is its pilgrimage church with a magnificent view of the Alps. Return journey to Melk.
- Cycling for the day: approx. 40km
Day 3: Krems | 35km
In the morning, take a boat to Krems and visit Sandgrube 13 winery and tour, with its fascinating eight stage journey through wine growing and drinking. Then you cycle back to Melk.
- Cycling for the day: approx. 35km
Day 4: St. Pölten | 35km
You travel via train to St. Pölten, the capital city of Lower Austria. Cycle on the Pielach Valley Cycle Path through meadows or alongside orchards and vineyards.
- Cycling for the day: approx. 35km
Day 5: Departure
Departure on your own.
What to expect
Accommodation
The tour includes accommodation in standard en-suite double/twin rooms in a typical Austrian four-star hotel. This hotel has been carefully hand-picked by us, and its quality is regularly monitored. We always endeavour to choose accommodation that offers friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour. Rooms may be single, twin or double. Please note that, in Austria, it is common practice for hotels and other accommodations to join twin beds together to make a double, with separate linen for each person. If you prefer to opt for twin beds, we will happily request this at time of booking, however they can’t always be guaranteed.
Click to view default accommodation
- Hotel Zum Schwarzen Bären (Emmersdorf)
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a property of equal standard. We will provide full accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included every day. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before.
Difficulty and terrain
The route is almost completely flat, most stretches going along the Danube Cycle Path – one of the best cycling routes in Europe (read more about difficulty grades). Upon arrival, you will receive detailed travel information with route maps or overview maps, route descriptions, tourist attractions and important telephone numbers (one set per room).
When to go
This trip is available from May until October The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your holiday at any time in the season – so please indicate desired beginning date when booking.
The best time for cycling in Austria is July – August. For more information on travelling in Austria, please visit our blog Best time to go to Austria.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airports for this holiday are Vienna International Airport (VIE) and Vienna International Airport (MUC).
By train or bus
- If you are able to travel to Austria without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail with a train station in Melk. For more details, see the national tour operator, ÖBB. It takes an average of 1h 30mins to travel from Vienna Airport to Melk by train.
Inclusions
Included
- 4 nights in a 4**** hotel in Melk/Emmersdorf
- 4 breakfasts
- Boat fare Krems–Melk incl. fare for the bike
- Entry fee Sandgrube 13
- Entry Stift Melk
- Train ticket Melk–St. Pölten
- Access to Navigation App with route book and information (also available as GPX tracks)
- 24/7 phone support
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Bike rental
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Bike rental (7/21 gear)
- E-bike rental
Bike rental
Women’s trekking bike 21-speed
- Model: KTM touring bike
- Frame: Aluminium women’s frame
- Gear change: 21-speed derailleur with freewheel, Shimano Altus
- Brakes: 2-rim brakes, Shimano V-Brakes
- wheel/tyre: 28-inch hollow chamber rim/robust tyres, Schwalbe Marathon
- Saddle: high-quality gel saddle, Selle Royal
Men’s trekking bike 21-speed
- Model: KTM touring bike
- Frame: Aluminium men’s frame
- Gear change: 21-speed derailleur with freewheel, Shimano Altus
- Brakes: 2-rim brakes, Shimano V-Brakes
- wheel/tyre: 28-inch hollow chamber rim/robust tyres, Schwalbe Marathon
- Saddle: high-quality gel saddle, Selle Royal
Unisex e-bike
- Model: KTM Macina Fun
- Frame: Aluminum unisex
- Motor: Bosch Performance or Panasonic
- Battery: 500 Wh
- Gearshift: 8-speed hub gear Shimano Nexus or 9-speed derailleur Shimano Altus
- Brakes: 2 disc or rim brakes, Shimano
- Wheel/tire: 28-inch hollow rim/rugged tires, Schwalbe Marathon
- Saddle: high-quality gel saddle, Selle Royal
