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Danube cycle path

Posted: 3 Aug 2014, 10:26am
by ANTONISH
I've been considering the Danube cycle path for a ride in 2015.
I'm in need of advice generally.
It seems to be a very flat route- I'm not generally a flat road enthusiast ( nor is my girlfriend and I need to persuade her that this would be a good trip) - we like some variety - are there reasonable cycling route diversions off the cycle path so that one could leave and join if the constant flat starts to pall?. Or maybe in practice it isn't completely flat?.
We would prefer not to join an organised tour and don't want to camp - so is it reasonably practicable to work out an itinerary and book accommodation to suit?
Flying isn't an option so we need to get to Passau by train (with bikes) -some advice on this would be most useful.

Re: Danube cycle path

Posted: 3 Aug 2014, 1:21pm
by Galloper
Edward Enfield wrote a very good book "Dawdling by the Danube" which I recommend. In general, the area around the Danube, in Germany and Austria is quite scenic and frequently hilly so you will have no trouble finding alternative routes. In terms of accomodation, my experience is that there is plenty of accomodation available. Most towns will have a tourist information office which will help and can often book local accomodation for you. Just tell them your price range. In Germany there is an organisation called Bett und Bike which identifies cycle friendly accomodation.

http://www.bettundbike.de/en

Lots of pubs do B&B. Look for the word "Fremdenzimmer".

The higher reaches of the Danube, in Germany are well worth exploring and can be fun, a pleasant change from the more manicured sections down stream.

Whatever you do, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Re: Danube cycle path

Posted: 3 Aug 2014, 3:24pm
by wirral_cyclist
We did a bike and boat from Passau to Vienna and it is indeed pan flat, our tour had us doing 25-35 miles a day and we thought it was going to be too short and easy - until we got there and the 35C temperature made us glad for the easy riding! Lots to see along the river but I believe it is a bit 'samey' once you've done our stretch, well until you get over the border for a culture change. Being in a valley means there are valley sides to climb in places that should provide variation. Lots of riverside accommodation and certainly in Austria you'll have no trouble booking somewhere and all in English if you need it. We did train from Munich Airport to Pasau and lots of bikes on the regional services but I've no idea about the fast long distance trains - has to be better than UK though!

Re: Danube cycle path

Posted: 4 Aug 2014, 12:46pm
by albal1
Rode the EV6 earlier this summer, yes it is flat, tho around Austria many high peaks surround the river, Very busy with boat trip day riders. I was camping, but i did see many guesthouses along the route. Enjoy your journey.

Re: Danube cycle path

Posted: 5 Aug 2014, 2:16pm
by ANTONISH
wirral_cyclist wrote:We did a bike and boat from Passau to Vienna and it is indeed pan flat, our tour had us doing 25-35 miles a day and we thought it was going to be too short and easy - until we got there and the 35C temperature made us glad for the easy riding! Lots to see along the river but I believe it is a bit 'samey' once you've done our stretch, well until you get over the border for a culture change. Being in a valley means there are valley sides to climb in places that should provide variation. Lots of riverside accommodation and certainly in Austria you'll have no trouble booking somewhere and all in English if you need it. We did train from Munich Airport to Pasau and lots of bikes on the regional services but I've no idea about the fast long distance trains - has to be better than UK though!


I saw the bike/boat trip on the internet. Do you have use their hire bikes or could you use your own?
I seem to remember a mention of 21 speed which to me suggests a BSO.
Thanks to everyone for the comments on this.

Re: Danube cycle path

Posted: 5 Aug 2014, 3:45pm
by MLJ
Cicerone do a guide for this: ISBN 1-85284-345-4. There is a section where the route leaves the riverside for a hilly diversion, which can be avoided by taking to the water! Mostly it is an easy way downstream.

Re: Danube cycle path

Posted: 5 Aug 2014, 7:01pm
by wirral_cyclist
ANTONISH wrote:
wirral_cyclist wrote:We did a bike and boat from Passau to Vienna [snip]

I saw the bike/boat trip on the internet. Do you have use their hire bikes or could you use your own?
I seem to remember a mention of 21 speed which to me suggests a BSO.
Thanks to everyone for the comments on this.


We went with Radreisen.at Hire bike use was optional (chargeable not inclusive) lots of people using their own - we'd have used our own but logistically it was too difficult to do and would have been much more expensive. The hire bikes were hideously heavy step throughs for anyone shorter than 186cm and fairly heavy diamond framed if taller, all new looking but clearly various ages judging by the differing company graphics but all very well maintained.

Re: Danube cycle path

Posted: 6 Aug 2014, 9:52am
by ANTONISH
Thank you all for the information.
I will definitely look at the bike/boat trip (have to use our own bikes though).
Getting there and back by train is going to put on a few days.

Re: Danube cycle path

Posted: 6 Aug 2014, 7:33pm
by bohrsatom
We did the Danube route from Passau to Vienna a couple of weeks ago - there is some info on the route, photos and GPX traces on our blog (Days 55 to 60) https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1&doc_id=14010.

In general it is flat but the stretch from Melk to Krems has some rolling hills but nothing I would say was tough. If you need more of a challenge, the non-river side of the path is often extremely steep so wherever you go away from the route will involve some climbing. You could easily skip out a section by taking a detour away from the river, but I recommend you do the Melk-Krems stretch as it is gorgeous!

Re: Danube cycle path

Posted: 6 Aug 2014, 8:20pm
by MickTheCyclist
I'm off on Saturday to do Passau to Vienna. Flying to Munich then train to Passau.

bohrsatom wrote: You could easily skip out a section by taking a detour away from the river, but I recommend you do the Melk-Krems stretch as it is gorgeous!


Other option is to take the short boat trip from Melk to Spitze then carry on along the left bank to Krems (don't miss Durnstein). Boat is nice as you get to enjoy the scenery as you enter the Wachau and get a useful commentary on the history of the area.