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
Profile Image
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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Meals
24 Meals
12 Breakfasts
0 Lunches
12 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
May 16, 2024 - May 29, 2024
  • May 16, 2024 - May 29, 2024
  • May 16, 2024 - May 29, 2024 (Deggendorf to Vienna)
  • Aug 15, 2024 - Aug 28, 2024 (Deggendorf to Vienna)
  • Sep 12, 2024 - Sep 25, 2024 (Deggendorf to Vienna)
  • Sep 26, 2024 - Oct 09, 2024 (Deggendorf to Vienna)
  • May 11, 2025 - May 23, 2025 (Vienna to Munich)
  • Aug 31, 2025 - Sep 12, 2025 (Vienna to Munich)
  • Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 26, 2025 (Vienna to Munich)
  • Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025 (Vienna to Munich)
2 nights
Natternberg/Deggendorf
Situated in quiet village in the outskirts of Deggendorf.
2 nights
Passau
Located in the pedestrian zone of the historic district of Passau
1 night
Haibach
Located at the curve of the Donau River in a beautiful country setting.
1 night
Linz
Situated in the heart of Linz on a quiet side street.
1 night
Linz
This hotel has a convenient city center location adjacent to a 3500 square meter green city park.
1 night
Grein an der Donau
Central location in the old town of Grein.
1 night
Melk
Located in the pedestrian area of the historic town of Melk.
1 night
3500 Krems an der Donau
This family-run hotel is located near the old quarter of the historic town of Krems. The old quarter is a UNESCO Heritage Site with idyllic alleys and a lively pedestrian area.
2 nights
Wien
Close to center of historic Vienna and subway station for transport.
See All Lodging Options
2 nights
Deggendorf
The Mediterranean-style hotel is located directly on the Danube cycle path, a ten-minute walk from the center of Deggendorf.
2 nights
Passau
Located in the pedestrian zone of the historic district of Passau
1 night
Haibach
Located at the curve of the Donau River in a beautiful country setting.
1 night
Linz
Situated in the heart of Linz on a quiet side street.
1 night
Linz
This hotel has a convenient city center location adjacent to a 3500 square meter green city park.
1 night
Grein an der Donau
Central location in the old town of Grein.
1 night
Melk
Located in the pedestrian area of the historic town of Melk.
1 night
3500 Krems an der Donau
This family-run hotel is located near the old quarter of the historic town of Krems. The old quarter is a UNESCO Heritage Site with idyllic alleys and a lively pedestrian area.
2 nights
Wien
Close to center of historic Vienna and subway station for transport.
See All Lodging Options
2 nights
Natternberg/Deggendorf
Situated in quiet village in the outskirts of Deggendorf.
2 nights
Passau
Located in the pedestrian zone of the historic district of Passau
1 night
Haibach
Located at the curve of the Donau River in a beautiful country setting.
1 night
Linz
Situated in the heart of Linz on a quiet side street.
1 night
Linz
This hotel has a convenient city center location adjacent to a 3500 square meter green city park.
1 night
Grein an der Donau
Central location in the old town of Grein.
1 night
Melk
Located in the pedestrian area of the historic town of Melk.
1 night
3500 Krems an der Donau
This family-run hotel is located near the old quarter of the historic town of Krems. The old quarter is a UNESCO Heritage Site with idyllic alleys and a lively pedestrian area.
2 nights
Wien
Close to center of historic Vienna and subway station for transport.
See All Lodging Options
2 nights
Natternberg/Deggendorf
Situated in quiet village in the outskirts of Deggendorf.
2 nights
Passau
Located in the pedestrian zone of the historic district of Passau
1 night
St. Agatha
On a hilltop with beautiful views of the Danube Valley.
1 night
Linz
Situated in the heart of Linz on a quiet side street.
1 night
Linz
This hotel has a convenient city center location adjacent to a 3500 square meter green city park.
1 night
Grein an der Donau
Central location in the old town of Grein.
1 night
Melk
Located in the pedestrian area of the historic town of Melk.
1 night
3500 Krems an der Donau
This family-run hotel is located near the old quarter of the historic town of Krems. The old quarter is a UNESCO Heritage Site with idyllic alleys and a lively pedestrian area.
2 nights
Wien
Close to center of historic Vienna and subway station for transport.
See All Lodging Options
2 nights
Wien
Close to center of historic Vienna and subway station for transport.
1 night
Tulln an der Donau
No matter what you have in mind, you will reach it within a short distance: Tulln's romantic main square with cozy pubs and typical inns, extraordinary museums or the exhibition grounds. The "Garten Tulln", Europe's largest ecological garden show, starts practically at the hotel. In addition, our hotel is only a few steps away from the Danube and thus from the Danube cycle path, the boat landing stage and the Danube stage.
1 night
3500 Krems an der Donau
This family-run hotel is located near the old quarter of the historic town of Krems. The old quarter is a UNESCO Heritage Site with idyllic alleys and a lively pedestrian area.
1 night
Melk
Located in the pedestrian area of the historic town of Melk.
1 night
Linz
Situated in the heart of Linz on a quiet side street.
2 nights
Haibach
Located at the curve of the Donau River in a beautiful country setting.
2 nights
Passau
Located in the pedestrian zone of the historic district of Passau
1 night
Unterföhring
The first time our inn has been mentioned in a document from 1305. It was given the right to tap in 1570, and is therefore the oldest pub in Unterföhring. When the entire house burnt down to its foundations in 1910, it was totally rebuilt, and hasn´t been changed ever since. The Lechner family has, from that time on, successfully taken care to maintain the historical background and tradition of this house. You can get to the center of Munich in only 20 minutes.
See All Lodging Options
2 nights
Wien
Close to center of historic Vienna and subway station for transport.
1 night
Tulln an der Donau
No matter what you have in mind, you will reach it within a short distance: Tulln's romantic main square with cozy pubs and typical inns, extraordinary museums or the exhibition grounds. The "Garten Tulln", Europe's largest ecological garden show, starts practically at the hotel. In addition, our hotel is only a few steps away from the Danube and thus from the Danube cycle path, the boat landing stage and the Danube stage.
1 night
3500 Krems an der Donau
This family-run hotel is located near the old quarter of the historic town of Krems. The old quarter is a UNESCO Heritage Site with idyllic alleys and a lively pedestrian area.
1 night
Melk
Located in the pedestrian area of the historic town of Melk.
1 night
Linz
Situated in the heart of Linz on a quiet side street.
2 nights
Haibach
Located at the curve of the Donau River in a beautiful country setting.
2 nights
Passau
Located in the pedestrian zone of the historic district of Passau
1 night
Unterföhring
The first time our inn has been mentioned in a document from 1305. It was given the right to tap in 1570, and is therefore the oldest pub in Unterföhring. When the entire house burnt down to its foundations in 1910, it was totally rebuilt, and hasn´t been changed ever since. The Lechner family has, from that time on, successfully taken care to maintain the historical background and tradition of this house. You can get to the center of Munich in only 20 minutes.
See All Lodging Options
2 nights
Wien
Close to center of historic Vienna and subway station for transport.
1 night
Tulln an der Donau
No matter what you have in mind, you will reach it within a short distance: Tulln's romantic main square with cozy pubs and typical inns, extraordinary museums or the exhibition grounds. The "Garten Tulln", Europe's largest ecological garden show, starts practically at the hotel. In addition, our hotel is only a few steps away from the Danube and thus from the Danube cycle path, the boat landing stage and the Danube stage.
1 night
3500 Krems an der Donau
This family-run hotel is located near the old quarter of the historic town of Krems. The old quarter is a UNESCO Heritage Site with idyllic alleys and a lively pedestrian area.
1 night
Melk
Located in the pedestrian area of the historic town of Melk.
1 night
Linz
Situated in the heart of Linz on a quiet side street.
2 nights
Haibach
Located at the curve of the Donau River in a beautiful country setting.
2 nights
Passau
Located in the pedestrian zone of the historic district of Passau
1 night
Unterföhring
The first time our inn has been mentioned in a document from 1305. It was given the right to tap in 1570, and is therefore the oldest pub in Unterföhring. When the entire house burnt down to its foundations in 1910, it was totally rebuilt, and hasn´t been changed ever since. The Lechner family has, from that time on, successfully taken care to maintain the historical background and tradition of this house. You can get to the center of Munich in only 20 minutes.
See All Lodging Options
2 nights
Wien
Close to center of historic Vienna and subway station for transport.
1 night
Tulln an der Donau
No matter what you have in mind, you will reach it within a short distance: Tulln's romantic main square with cozy pubs and typical inns, extraordinary museums or the exhibition grounds. The "Garten Tulln", Europe's largest ecological garden show, starts practically at the hotel. In addition, our hotel is only a few steps away from the Danube and thus from the Danube cycle path, the boat landing stage and the Danube stage.
1 night
3500 Krems an der Donau
This family-run hotel is located near the old quarter of the historic town of Krems. The old quarter is a UNESCO Heritage Site with idyllic alleys and a lively pedestrian area.
1 night
Melk
Located in the pedestrian area of the historic town of Melk.
1 night
Linz
Situated in the heart of Linz on a quiet side street.
2 nights
Haibach
Located at the curve of the Donau River in a beautiful country setting.
2 nights
Passau
Located in the pedestrian zone of the historic district of Passau
1 night
Unterföhring
The first time our inn has been mentioned in a document from 1305. It was given the right to tap in 1570, and is therefore the oldest pub in Unterföhring. When the entire house burnt down to its foundations in 1910, it was totally rebuilt, and hasn´t been changed ever since. The Lechner family has, from that time on, successfully taken care to maintain the historical background and tradition of this house. You can get to the center of Munich in only 20 minutes.
See All Lodging Options





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