From the Bicycle Museum to the Nibelungen City
On this beautiful long-distance cycle route, you travel from a small, tranquil Danube town called Ardagger along the Danube to the "Gateway to the Wachau", the town of Melk. Along your journey through the picturesque Danube valley, you will pass, among others, Hößgang, Ybbs an der Donau, Krummnußbaum, and Pöchlarn until you finally reach your destination Melk.
The market town of Ardagger is considered one of the main places of the Mostviertel region. Culture enthusiasts visit the church in the former monastery, which houses Austria's oldest figurative stained glass, the Margareten window from the 13th century. Sports fans, on the other hand, use the many water sports opportunities as well as the offer of the "Donauwellenpark" directly on the cycle path (beach volleyball, climbing wall, etc.).
Then you go through the Strudengau. This narrow Danube valley is bordered by high, densely wooded hills. Repeatedly you will find inviting sandy beaches directly on the river, and small villages like Hößgang and Freyenstein enliven your ride.
Soon after the Ybbs-Persenbeug visitor power plant (tours by appointment) you reach the small town of Ybbs, where you should stay just for the bicycle museum: from the wooden running bike to the weapon bike from the Emperor's times, the history of your favorite vehicle is documented here. The Renaissance townhouses in the old town are charming, and the St. Lorenz parish church has an impressive rib vault and an organ that Mozart signed during his visit in 1767.
Passing the villages of Sarling, Säusenstein, and Krummnußbaum, you reach the "Nibelungen City" Pöchlarn, which houses, among other things, the birthplace of the painter Oskar Kokoschka (exhibitions) and a carpentry museum. The Nibelungen monument reminds that this small town is a setting in that ancient epic which partly takes place on the Danube. Whoever still has desire, mood, and time can make a short detour to Erlauf and visit the local Peace Museum ERLAUF ERINNERT (about 3.5 km from Pöchlarn to Erlauf). From Pöchlarn you reach the town of Melk, the "Gateway to the Wachau", in no more than three quarters of an hour.
