Passau - 3 Rivers Single Centre Cycling Break

Located at the confluence of the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz, the medieval town of Passau will be your base for this 4 night cycling break. Each day you can select from a menu of rides that follow riverside cycle paths to places of interest and natural beauty in the surrounding area.

Passau sits on the German/Austrian border, it's fabulous old town crammed onto a peninsula created by the Danube and Inn rivers. It's a charming place with a long and rich history, thanks to it's strategic position on the mighty Danube River. The winding lanes and cobbled streets harbour a plethora of charming restaurants and cosy kneipen (pubs) to enjoy after your daily rides.

Shlögener Schlinge (Danube Loop)

Each day you'll embark on a cycle ride of between 30 and 54 kms that will lead you along the Danube or Inn river to a place of interest. The rides are all easy, level and predominantly follow idyllic cycle paths beside the riverbank. E-bikes are an available option if you have any doubts about completing these distances comfortably.

On one day you''ll enjoy a boat trip down the Danube before disembarking and cycling to one of the river's most idyllic scenes, the serene and beautiful Danube Loop. You'll also cycle along the Inn river to the fabulous baroque town of Schärding and another ride will lead you along the Daube to the Trappist Monastery at Engelharstzell and back again. Each ride offers idyllic cycling and fabulous scenery with plenty of places to stop for refreshment along the way.

Passau - 3 Rivers Single Centre Cycling Break

Located at the confluence of the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz, the medieval town of Passau will be your base for this 4 night cycling break. Each day you can select from a menu of rides that follow riverside cycle paths to places of interest and natural beauty in the surrounding area.

Passau sits on the German/Austrian border, it's fabulous old town crammed onto a peninsula created by the Danube and Inn rivers. It's a charming place with a long and rich history, thanks to it's strategic position on the mighty Danube River. The winding lanes and cobbled streets harbour a plethora of charming restaurants and cosy kneipen (pubs) to enjoy after your daily rides.

Shlögener Schlinge (Danube Loop)

Each day you'll embark on a cycle ride of between 30 and 54 kms that will lead you along the Danube or Inn river to a place of interest. The rides are all easy, level and predominantly follow idyllic cycle paths beside the riverbank. E-bikes are an available option if you have any doubts about completing these distances comfortably.

On one day you''ll enjoy a boat trip down the Danube before disembarking and cycling to one of the river's most idyllic scenes, the serene and beautiful Danube Loop. You'll also cycle along the Inn river to the fabulous baroque town of Schärding and another ride will lead you along the Daube to the Trappist Monastery at Engelharstzell and back again. Each ride offers idyllic cycling and fabulous scenery with plenty of places to stop for refreshment along the way.

Itinerary

On this single centre cycling holiday there are a menu of easy rides to choose from. Here is a suggested itinerary featuring the 3 most popular routes. You can do any of these rides on any day or even create your own route.

Day 1 : Arrive Passau

Check in to your hotel and then take a stroll through the “City of Three Rivers”, so named because this is the point at which the Inn and Ilz rivers flow into the Danube. The narrow cobbled streets and pretty squares of the old town are a delight to explore and we also recommend a climb to Veste Oberhaus, a medieval fortress and museum that offers a fantastic, panoramic view of the town and rivers. In teh evening you will be spoilt for choice for restaurants and cosy bars.

Day 2 : Danube Loop
19 miles/30 kms

The day starts with a lovely boat ride down the Danube, with your bike, to the pretty village of Engelhartszell. From here you mount up and enjoy a truly glorious ride along a riverside cycle path to the village of Schlögen. The village sits on a particularly beautiful and serene bend in the river known as the Schögener Schlinge, or Danube Loop. Here we highly recommend parking the bikes and hiking up the wooded path to the spectacular viewpoint, high above the river. From here, the view of the loop and surrounding pristine countryside is truly stunning. Afterwards you return to Engelhartszell along the cycle path and then catch the boat back to Passau.

Day 3 : Schärding
20 miles/33 kms

Today's ride leads you from Passau, southwards along the Inn River. The river is also the border between Germany and Austria and at various stages of the ride you will cross from one country to the other. The going is easy and the scenery sublime as you follow the riverside cycle path past tiny riverside villages. In the old town of Wernstein you can admire the two castles glaring at each other across the river. The beguiling, baroque town of Schärding marks the halfway point of your ride and is the perfect place to stop for lunch. The pastel coloured town houses clustered around the bustling town-square create a pleasant scene and you'll enjoy wandering the winding streets of this charming little place. Afterwards you return to Passau, following the cycle path on the opposite side of the river.

Day 4 : Engelhartszell
34 miles/54 kms

Today's route is longer but by now the legs know what is expected of them and anyway the terrain is very level. You follow the Danube Cycle Path out of Passau, along the left bank of the Danube to the old town of Obernzell. Here you can visit the impressive castle before pedalling on beside the river, through glorious scenery to the old town of Engelhartszell. Of course, this is where you disembarked with your bike from the ferry on your first ride, before cycling on to the Danube Loop. Today, we recommend a lunch break perhaps followed by a visit to the Trappist Monastery on the edge of the town. You then head back to Passau along the cycle path on the other side of the river.

In the evening it is time to find a nice bar or restaurant in the old town to celebrate completing your cycling adventure.

Day 5 : Departure

After breakfast it's time to head for home or your next adventure.

Bikes

Regular bikes provided are modern alloy framed models with 24 speeds. The bikes come equipped with pannier, lock and a repair kit with pump.

Electric bikes are also available.

We suggest you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons.

Please note that cycle helmets are mandatory in Austria and Germany for children up to 12 years old.

Accommodation

Superior

You will spend 4 nights at the delightful Hotel Atrium Garni in Passau. This good-quality hotel enjoys a great location, convenient for the old town and Danube river bank. The property features a spa, pleasant terrace and bar.

Local taxes

Some hotels have started to charge a local/tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or checkout at the hotels. This fee varies and is ever changing but as a guide, you may be asked to pay between €1-€4 per person per night

Getting there

Fly to Vienna, Munich or Salzburg airports and then travel by train onwards to Passau.

Research flights from the UK here

Research onward rail connections.

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