Austria/Germany

A Cycling Journey: Historic Bike Paths Along the Danube River

Program No. 3044RJ
Follow quiet bike paths along the sparkling Danube as you explore the history, folklore and culture of Bavaria and Upper Austria, with visits to castle ruins and a 900-year-old abbey.

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At a Glance

Centuries ago, “treppelweg,” or towpaths, were laid down along the mighty Danube so that horses could pull barges along the river. This system allowed goods to be transported between the Black Forest and the Black Sea — a 1,777-mile journey. In Germany and Austria, many of these storied paths have today been converted into beautiful, car-free bike paths. Follow the “treppelweg” on an unforgettable bike journey that reveals the amazing environments, fascinating folklore and city and village life along the Danube.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Intermediate to experienced cyclists. Cycling up to 15-40 miles (5 hours) daily on primarily flat terrain with frequent stops. Walking one mile on uneven terrain, standing for up to two hours and climbing stairs.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Pedal through the Wachau wine region with a stop at 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey for a history lesson.
  • Discover the fascinating history of shipping on the Danube River during a visit to the Schifffahrtsmuseum tucked away in Castle Greinburg.
  • Enjoy an organ concert at St. Stephan’s Cathedral in Passau, home to the largest church organ in the world.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Gitta Pavlovic
A native of Austria, Gitta Pavlovic has been working as a licensed group leader since 1982. Gitta is a representative and member of the Chamber of Commerce for Licensed Guides. She speaks German, Croatian, and English, and enjoys tennis, art history, dog training, and reading.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Gitta Pavlovic
Gitta Pavlovic View biography
A native of Austria, Gitta Pavlovic has been working as a licensed group leader since 1982. Gitta is a representative and member of the Chamber of Commerce for Licensed Guides. She speaks German, Croatian, and English, and enjoys tennis, art history, dog training, and reading.
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Year
2024
  • 2024
  • 2025
Date and Direction
May 16 - May 29 (Deggendorf to Vienna)
  • May 16 - May 29 (Deggendorf to Vienna)
  • Aug 15 - Aug 28 (Deggendorf to Vienna)
  • Sep 12 - Sep 25 (Deggendorf to Vienna)
  • Sep 26 - Oct 09 (Deggendorf to Vienna)
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
May 16 - May 29, 2024 Itinerary Differences: The 2024 itinerary is 14 days long and starts in Munich and ends in Vienna.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
2024
  • 2024
  • 2025
May 16 - May 29 (Deggendorf to Vienna)
  • May 16 - May 29 (Deggendorf to Vienna)
  • Aug 15 - Aug 28 (Deggendorf to Vienna)
  • Sep 12 - Sep 25 (Deggendorf to Vienna)
  • Sep 26 - Oct 09 (Deggendorf to Vienna)
May 16 - May 29, 2024 Itinerary Differences: The 2024 itinerary is 14 days long and starts in Munich and ends in Vienna.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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14 days
13 nights
24 meals
12 B 0 L 12 D
DAY
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
DAY
2
Arrive Munich, Transfer to Deggendorf, Orientation
Deggendorf
D
Hotel Burgwirt

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 70 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Hotel check-in from 1:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to applicable requirements and guidelines throughout the program. Whether biking in beautiful countryside or vibrant cities, Road Scholars will learn to understand and deal with local traffic, account for other bikers along the way, and be prepared for the unexpected such as sudden stops. Group Leaders will provide a summary of each day’s activities. Educational content will be presented during lectures and field trips by the Group Leader, educators, local experts, and museum docents. Upon arrival in Deggendorf and the village of Natternberg where the hotel is located, we will have bicycle fittings and testing to insure that each participant is able to safely start, stop, and control their bicycles. A support vehicle will accompany us on our biking field trips in the event of emergency situations. Thereafter, the driver and vehicle will drive to the hotel and put luggage in our rooms. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
3
Plattling, St. Jacob's Church, Deggendorf, Introductions
Deggendorf
B,D
Hotel Burgwirt

Activity note: Biking about 16 miles; paved bicycle paths, flat terrain. Walking about 1/2 mile; generally flat terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will join our Group Leader in the hotel conference room for a presentation on safety, rules of the road, and the Corner System: the way in which we will navigate throughout the program. We will then be ready to set out on our first biking field trip, a short ride to Plattling, a typical Bavarian town with pastel-colored houses.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There are several restaurants to choose from in Plattling.

Afternoon: We will bicycle to the 12th century Romanesque church of St. Jacob’s Church — one of the few remaining Romanesque churches in Bavaria — for a lecture by a docent on the history of the church. We’ll return to the hotel along a quiet bike path where we will have our first glimpse of the Danube, or, as the locals call it, the Donau.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: We will learn more about our fellow Road Scholars with introductions of group members after dinner. Prepare for check-out and biking transfer in the morning.

DAY
4
Passau, Hofkirchen, Stroll Passau
Passau
B,D
Premier Inn Passau Weisser Hase

Activity note: Biking about 40 miles; paved bicycle paths, flat to rolling terrain. Walking about 1 mile; come cobblestoned streets in historic district.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will check out of the hotel and mount our bicycles. Our destination today is Passau, a city at the German-Austrian border. We’ll see immediately why the Danube is so popular with bicyclists: for most of the program we will bicycle on paths not accessible to cars.

Lunch: On your own to have what you like at the Gasthof Buchner in Hofkirchen en route to Passau.

Afternoon: We will continue cycling along the Danube until we reach our hotel in the center of Passau and check in.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: We will set out with our Group Leader on a short walking field trip through Passau.

DAY
5
Passau Architecture Lecture, Organ Concert, Free Time
Passau
B,D
Premier Inn Passau Weisser Hase

Activity note: Walking about 1 mile, standing up to 2 hours at a time; uneven terrain, stairs, cobblestones.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will gather for a lecture by a local Passau educator on the varied architectural styles prominent in the towns and villages along our way. Next, we will set out with a local expert on a walking field trip in Passau to learn about the history of this wonderful city. As a special highlight, we will visit St. Stephen’s Dom — cathedral — that has the largest church organ in Europe and attend an organ concert.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in Passau. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. You might like to explore the banks of Danube by foot, enjoy a riverboat cruise, or spend the afternoon at the Oberhausmuseum that includes an art gallery and local history museum. If you want to relax, seek out one of the local cafés to sip a beer or cup of coffee while watching the locals.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and biking transfer in the morning.

DAY
6
European Union Lecture, Obernzell, Schlögen Ferry
Schlogen
B,D
Hotel Donauschlinge

Activity note: Biking about 26 miles; paved bicycle paths, flat terrain. Getting on/off a ferry. Walking about 1 mile; generally flat terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After checking out of the hotel, we’ll mount our bicycles and ride to Obernzell, where the castle — built by the Bishop of Passau in 1426 as his summer residence — still stands. We will cross the border into Austria on a bicycle path along the Danube. The route to Schlögen is one of the most scenic rides anyone could wish for, along the river and through a forest.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in Obernzell.

Afternoon: We will board a ferry that will take us across the river to our hotel. After checking in, you might like to hike the trail behind the hotel that leads to one of the most magnificent views of the Danube we will see during the program. Or, enjoy a dip in the indoor swimming pool, or relax on a bench along the river before dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and biking transfer in the morning.

DAY
7
Aschach, Ottensheim Ferry, Wilhering Church, Badesee, Linz
Linz
B,D
Hotel Kolping

Activity note: Biking about 38 miles; paved bicycle paths, secondary roads on flat terrain. Getting on/off a ferry. Walking about 1 mile; generally flat terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Our destination after checking out of the hotel is Aschach on the Danube, a beautiful old village featuring homes painted during the Baroque era.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in Aschach.

Afternoon: Next, we will bike to Ottensheim and take a ferry across the river. We’ll then set out on a field trip to Wilhering, where we’ll explore one of the most impressive Rococo churches in Austria. Moving on, we will arrive in Linz, our home for the next two nights, and check in to our centrally located hotel.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: We will explore Linz by night on a stroll to the Main Square with our Group Leader.

DAY
8
Austrian Economy & Society Lecture, Mauthausen, Free Time
Linz
B,D
Park Inn by Radisson Linz Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking about 1 mile and standing to 2 hours at a time; uneven terrain, stairs, cobblestones.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will gather for a lecture by a local educator to enlighten us on aspects of the Austrian economy, history, and society. Next, we will board the motorcoach for a field trip to the remains of the Mauthausen concentration camp. This notorious World War II internment camp was built by the Nazis. We will see the granite quarries where prisoners cut stones that paved streets in Vienna. Multitudes of camp prisoners died working in these quarries. Estimates are that at least 90,000 people were killed from the time of construction in 1938 until liberation in 1945. Today, the camp is a memorial with monuments dedicated to the people of many nationalities who died here. We will return to Linz by motorcoach.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in Linz.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests each of us most in Linz. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Linz is the capital of the province of Upper Austria. Sites include the Hauptplatz, the former market square, with its Baroque buildings and the Rathaus. It was from the balcony of this town hall on March 12, 1938, that Adolf Hitler proclaimed his thousand-year reich. For a wonderful view of the city, you might like to board the Pöstlingbergbahn, the steepest mountain railway in the world. Its old-fashioned cars have been making the 16-minute climb of 835 feet to the top of the mountain since 1898. The town abounds with cathedrals, museums, and perhaps most deliciously, Konditorei: pastry shops featuring the renowned Linzer torte. Be sure to find one of these local bakeries and sample Linzer torte for yourself.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and biking transfer in the morning.

DAY
9
Austrian Traditions Lecture, Au an der Donau, Grein
Grein
B,D
Hotel-Restaurant Goldenes Kreuz

Activity note: Biking about 39 miles; paved bicycle paths, flat terrain. Walking about 1 mile; generally flat terrain, some cobblestoned streets.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will gather for a lecture by a local expert on Austrian traditions and customs. We’ll then mount our bicycles and ride out of Linz on the north shore of the Danube towards our destination, Grein.

Lunch: On your own to have what you like at the Gasthof Pühringer in Au an der Donau en route to Grein.

Afternoon: Keep cameras handy as we round the bend in the river; the approach to Grein is truly picturesque. This lovely village is charming with its old town hall and wonderful ambiance.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. You might like to explore the idyllic village of Grein during a walk along the river promenade on your own or with biking comrades this evening. Prepare for check-out and biking transfer in the morning.

DAY
10
Grein & Danube, Schifffahrtsmuseum, Sankt Nikola, Melk
Melk
B,D
Hotel-Restaurant Wachauerhof

Activity note: Biking about 33 miles; paved bicycle paths, secondary roads on flat terrain. Walking about 1 mile; steps up to and inside museum.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will gather with our fellow Road Scholars to hear a lecture by a local historian on the history of Grein and the Danube. We’ll then set out on a walking field trip to the Schifffahrtsmuseum — Shipping Museum — in Castle Greinburg that affords a spectacular view of the Danube. Another great biking field trip lies ahead.

Lunch: On your own to have what you like in Ybbs en route to Melk.

Afternoon: We will pass by the village of Sankt Nikola, named after the guardian angel of the sailors, and the ruins of Castle Freyenstein, perched high above the Danube. Years ago, the castle was given the nickname “Wines.” According to legend, the knights of the castle stopped many of the barges loaded with wine as they headed for Upper Austria and Bavaria. After paying a considerable ransom in wine, the barges continued their journey. The picturesque town of Melk awaits our arrival and check-in.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and biking in the morning.

DAY
11
Melk Abbey, The Wachau, Willendorf, Spitz, Durnstein, Krems
Krems
B,D
Hotel Unter den Linden

Activity note: Biking about 26 miles; paved bicycle paths, flat terrain. Walking about 1 mile; generally flat and uneven terrain, climbing some steps.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Our first stop after checking out of the hotel will be the famous 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey, where we will gain insights into the history of this magnificent building through a guided presentation by an abbey docent. From the balcony of the Abbey, there are splendid views of the Danube. Today’s biking field trip will take us through a wine-growing region called the Wachau. Although we don’t encourage drinking wine during the day, you may want to try the local wine at night. We’ll stop in the village of Willendorf, where in 1908 a limestone statuette was found in the fields. The figure, known as the Venus of Willendorf, is believed to be more than 25,000 years old. Today, there is a replica at the site.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in Spitz en route to Krems.

Afternoon: We will ride on to Durnstein, the oldest town in Lower Austria. High above the town are the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lion-Heart was held prisoner in the 12th century until — according to legend — he was rescued by his faithful minnesinger, Blondel. From Durnstein, it is only a short ride to our hotel in Krems.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: We will go on a walk with our Group Leader to become acquainted with this charming city. Prepare for check-out and biking transfer in the morning.

DAY
12
Tulln, Transfer to Vienna, Free Time
Vienna
B,D
Hotel Erzherzog Rainer

Activity note: Biking about 30 miles; paved bicycle paths, flat terrain. Getting on/off a motorcoach; riding about 28 miles, approximately 1 hour. Walking about 1 mile; generally flat an uneven terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will check out of the hotel and begin our last day on bicycles, riding along the Blue Danube — which, incidentally, is not blue at all! — to Tulln. The terrain is perfectly flat and the biking is most relaxing.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in Tulln.

Afternoon: We will say farewell to our bicycles, complete with tears and picture taking, before boarding a motorcoach and riding to Wien —Vienna. In Vienna, we will gather for a lecture by a local educator on the European Union. From the official EU website: “From resistance fighters to lawyers and parliamentarians, the EU pioneers were a diverse group of people who held the same ideals: a peaceful, united and prosperous Europe.” The remainder of the afternoon is free personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Vienna. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
13
Vienna Walking Field Trip, Free Time
Vienna
B,D
Hotel Erzherzog Rainer

Activity note: Walking about 1 mile and standing up to 2 hours at a time; uneven terrain, stairs, cobblestones.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will be joined by a local historian who will lead a walking field trip in Vienna to learn about its vivid history. The city is highly “walkable.” People have been living here since the Stone Age. Different tribes preceded the Romans, followed by multitudes of competing forces until the Habsburgs established the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1867. The imperial legacy is seen in extraordinary monuments, palaces, grand boulevards, and cultural institutions.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in Vienna.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for independent exploration to see and do what interests each of us most. A special highlight is the Hotel Sacher, near the Opera, where you might like to treat yourself to authentic Sacher torte and einspanner (black coffee with whipped cream). A truly indulgent experience.

Dinner: At the hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
14
Program Concludes, In Transit From Program
In Flight
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.

Breakfast: At the hotel depending on departure times. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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