Cycling for Family - cycling in the Wachau

From April to October, the roll ferries between Spitz-Arnsdorf and Weißenkirchen-St. Lorenz are in operation. The motor ferry in Dürnstein-Rossatz also takes you quickly and reliably to the other bank of the Danube. www.wachau.at/anreise 

Wachau Touristik Bernhardt in Spitz offers bike rentals including children’s bikes from 6 years and bike transport. www.wachau-touristik.at 

Don't forget your bike helmet and drinks!

You start at the roll ferry dock in Spitz and cross the Danube with the energy-autonomous roll ferry. Tip: In the waiting room, you will find a camera obscura by the well-known artist Olafur Eliasson. Once you have arrived at the south bank, you cycle leisurely downstream along the Danube cycle path, where numerous Heurige invite you to take a break with a tasty snack and Wachau rolls. The route leads you through idyllic places like Mitterarnsdorf and Bacharnsdorf to St. Lorenz. There you will find a huge nose protruding from the ground at the roll ferry station. Next, go on to Rossatz, where the fine sandy beach invites you to splash and swim in the Danube with a view of the blue tower of Dürnstein.

Take the motor ferry back to the north bank of the Danube: it departs directly next to the campsite and a large adventure playground in Rossatz. Upon arrival in Dürnstein, a visit to the Dürnstein monastery or a hike to the Dürnstein castle ruins is highly recommended. Explore the Middle Ages with the legendary crusader Richard the Lionheart! The path to the ruins illustrates the kidnapping, imprisonment, and release of the English king in 21 historical stations.

Passing vineyards and along the Danube, continue without any inclines to Weißenkirchen. If the weather is good, you can swim at the natural swimming area by the boat station in Weißenkirchen. Now enjoy the path through the picturesque landscape and the villages of Joching, Wösendorf, and St. Michael, and soon you will reach your starting point of the route in Spitz again.

Free parking available at the Danube promenade, at Spitz Castle, at the train station, or at the Navigation Museum.

A1 to the Melk exit, then continue via B3 directly to Spitz.

Spitz is connected hourly seven days a week with Melk and Krems by buses of line 715 (Krems-Dürnstein-Weißenkirchen-Spitz-Aggsbach Markt-Emmersdorf-Melk station), www.vor.at 

The Wachau railway runs on weekends and holidays during the off-season, daily in the summer season: www.wachaubahn.at 

The exciting history of historic Danube shipping before the invention of the steam engine is shown at the Spitz Navigation Museum. Special tours for children and families! www.schifffahrtsmuseum-spitz.at     

Hike to the Hinterhaus ruins: Many legends and stories surround the Hinterhaus ruins. Allegedly, it is still haunted today! Great panoramic views of the Danube valley, the Wachau, and Spitz. Even better terrain for family knight and robber games!

The starting point is the parking lot at the Navigation Museum, about a 15-20 minute gentle uphill walk to the ruins.

Children’s tours at Dürnstein Monastery: Using a chain with differently colored beads, the most important years and stages from before the foundation to today are made understandable. www.stiftduernstein.at