Danube Cycle Path: Passau - Vienna

This is one of the most popular and well managed cycle routes though Europe, it travels, along both banks of the Danube between Passau, near the Austrian border and Vienna. Most people plan to complete it in 6 days at about 65 to 70 k a day, but this will depend on your fitness. This is an easy trip suitable for the reasonably fit. Most of the trip is flat or at a slight downhill incline and the route is well marked. If you’re after a bit more excitement there are a number of nice detours up to some hilltop villages, castles and monasteries. Don’t expect to see dramatic scenery: you’ll see the pretty river valley towns, swans, green copses, and a couple of orchards and vineyards. Because it’s easy and accessible it can also be busy, so be careful with your planning. There are some great hotels along the route but many of these are booked up by package tours and you can end up starting your day in a pack if you’re not careful. If you have a real thing about crowds you could cycle west instead. The most difficult thing to plan is which side of the river you want to be on when - there are crossings and ferries, but in some places the intervals between are large and you can see something really interesting on the other bank you’d love to check out.