Melk - Schönbühel on the Danube - Aggsbach - Aggstein - Rührsdorf - Rossatz-Arnsdorf - Mautern
Route description:
This route along the south bank of the Danube starts in Melk, also called the "Gate to the Wachau". The cultural landscape is part of the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage and known for its lush green hills with steep slopes, in which countless vineyards are lined up. But the town itself is already worth a visit; it houses an abbey described as the "most iconic and dominant Baroque building" and also includes the Stiftsgymnasium Melk, Austria's oldest existing school.
Thanks to this great start, you are well prepared for the rest of the route. The route takes you downstream along the Danube Cycle Path. First, you pass through the towns of Schönbühel on the Danube and Schönbühel-Aggsbach and enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna of the Wachau, which is not only a World Heritage Site and one of Europe's most enchanting river valleys but also an internationally renowned wine region and a preferred meeting point for connoisseurs. Here you will find cultural treasures and natural beauties that are worth visiting for everyone. Shortly after Schönbühel-Aggsbach, lovers of old castles and fortresses are rewarded in Aggstein. Here the ruin of Aggstein crowns a green hill on our right.
Past the remains of the old castle, you ride on the federal road to Sankt Johann im Mauerthal, where you then turn onto the Danube Cycle Path and cycle directly along the riverbank. With a magnificent view of the Danube Bend near Spitz, you only join the B33 again in Bacharnsdorf. This continues until you reach the Danube Bend near Rossatz-Arnsdorf, where you turn off the federal road in St. Lorenz to cycle through Rührsdorf and Rossatz-Arnsdorf. Here you can discover some historic parts of the Danube Limes.
Soon after, you steer your bike back onto the B33 to steadily approach your destination. At Hundsheim, you leave the federal road for the last time and head to your destination, the town centre of Mautern on the Danube. Here the culture lovers get their money’s worth again, because Mautern has a long Roman historical background and offers many finds from this time. Thus, you can end the day in this beautiful town and conclude your route for today.
