Damon Mcknight
Austria is a great destination for cycling, with a variety of landscapes to explore, from flat, easy riding in the east of the country to high mountains in the west. The country's cycling scene has benefited from pro racing exposure, and there are also many cycling events for amateurs. There are over 300,000 cycling routes in Austria, with something for every age, taste, and skill level. The country's compact size makes multi-stop trips feasible, and its efficient public transport system makes it easy to take your bike with you.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Terrain | Flat or rolling terrain in the east of the country, near Vienna; mountains in the west |
| Difficulty | Routes for all skill levels, from easy to very demanding |
| Routes | The Danube, The River Drava, The River Enns, The Drau, The Iron Curtain, The Mur, The Tauern, The Königstour, The Schladming-Dachstein, The Gravel Austria, The Wachau Valley, The Baroque gem of Salzburg, The Adriatic, The Murau, The Hochsteiermark, The Innviertel, The Gailtal Valley Alps, The Grossglockner, The Rettenbachferner, The Kitzbühl, The Vienna |
| Accommodations | Bed+Bike, Roadbike Holidays |
| Other | Austria has many bike shops and cycling hotels; children under 12 must wear a helmet |
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What You'll Learn
Cycling routes in the Alps
Cycling in the Alps offers a varied experience, with spectacular views and incredible scenery. The region is perfect for a cycling tour, with its popular mountains and routes. The Routes des Grandes Alpes, for example, is a 700-kilometre route from Geneva to Nice, taking in the Swiss and French Alps.
The central Alps are home to the internationally renowned Marmotte Gran Fondo, a 175-kilometre loop with 5,000 metres of elevation, starting in Bourg d'Oisans and finishing at the top of Alpe d'Huez. This route includes the ascents of Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraphe, and the 2,645-metre climb of Col du Galibier. The towns of Bourg d'Oisans, Saint Jean de Maurienne, and Bourg Saint Maurice offer plentiful accommodation and facilities, as well as sufficient climbs to keep you occupied for several days.
The northern part of the central Alps includes Bourg Saint Maurice, a favourite with the Tour de France. From here, you can attempt ascents such as Col de l'Iseran, Cormet de Roselend, and Col du Pré, as well as the nearby Col du Petit Saint Bernard, which takes you to the border crossing point. There are also ski station climbs up to Les Arcs and Tignes.
The Italian Alps offer the extraordinary lakes and the sound of cowbells, while the Swiss Alps provide hot chocolate stops. The Austrian Alps are also an option, with flat, easy riding near Vienna and high mountains in the west. The Grossglockner climb is the most famous cycling climb in Austria, but there are also very challenging routes like the Rettenbachferner and the Kitzbühl climb, known as the toughest climb in Europe.
The River Drava Cycle Trail links Austria, Slovenia, and two other countries, while the River Enns Cycle Trail offers a challenging route. The Danube is another popular route in Austria, with trails along both the north and south banks.
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Cycling in the east of Austria
Vienna
Vienna, one of the world's most majestic cities, is a great place to start your cycling journey in the east of Austria. The imperial city has much to offer, including the Schönbrunn Palace, the Hofburg, and the emperor's treasury. The Danube Cycle Trail passes through Vienna, and you can also cycle along the south bank of the river, which is fun for the whole family. The north bank offers a more challenging route with some climbs. You can also try the famous wine from the Wachau region, just outside Vienna.
Lower Austria
Lower Austria is known for its picturesque riversides, lakes, and historical towns. The Iron Curtain Trail, which stretches from the Barents Sea to the Black Sea, passes through this region. You can cycle past national parks, vineyards, and historic sights for over 400 km. The Tauern Cycle Trail is another great option in this region, stretching 300 km at the foot of the Hohe Tauern mountain range along the rivers Salzach and Saalach.
Styria
Styria, specifically Southern Styria, offers vineyards as far as the eye can see. Three scenic bike routes will take you through the most beautiful places in the region, including the River Enns Cycle Trail. The River Drava Cycle Trail, connecting Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia, also passes through Southern Styria.
EuroVelo Routes
There are several EuroVelo routes that pass through eastern Austria, offering informative maps, elevation and distance profiles, GPS tracks, and accommodation directories. EuroVelo 14 runs between Zell am See and Bischhofen (57.5 km), and between Altenmarkt im Pongau and Liezen (92 km). Another section of EuroVelo 14 runs between Graz and Schiefer (80 km). EuroVelo 13 runs through Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia (1,760 km).
Other Options
The Königstour Bike route connects the valley towns of Maria Alm, Dienten, and Mühlbach. The Mur cycle path includes historic towns, cultural treasures, and culinary delights. The Hochsteiermark region also offers cycle routes for all ages, tastes, and skill levels.
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Cycling in the west of Austria
Austria is a relatively small country, meaning that multi-stop trips are feasible and there is a huge variety of landscapes to explore by bike. The west of the country is particularly mountainous, with some of the most challenging routes in the Alps. The Königstour Bike route connects some of the most beautiful bike routes between the valley towns of Maria Alm, Dienten, and Mühlbach. The Schladming-Dachstein bike region also offers a varied programme, with uphill flow trails and junior trails.
The River Enns Cycle Trail and the Tauern cycle trail, which stretches over 300 km at the foot of the Hohe Tauern mountain range, are also found in the west of Austria. The Gravel Austria route offers a mix of thrilling descents on gravel and asphalt as you ride through stunning mountain and lake landscapes. The Mur cycle path includes historic towns, cultural treasures and culinary delights.
The Austrian EuroVelo website offers an online map with railway stations and Bed+Bike accommodations, tracks in GPX and KML formats for download and detailed route descriptions in German in PDF format with maps, highlights and contacts for more information. The website was created by Austria's cycling organisation Radlobby.
Cycling is a great way to experience Austria's countryside, small towns and cities. The Danube cycle trail, which passes through Upper and Lower Austria, is particularly popular, especially the Wachau valley, which passes by castles and abbeys. The River Drava Cycle Trail links Austria, Slovenia and Croatia, while the Drau cycle path connects Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.
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Cycling along the Danube
Austria is a relatively small country, which makes multi-stop trips quite feasible. The Danube Cycle Path is possibly the most famous cycle route in all of Europe, with approximately 38,000 cyclists biking from Passau to Vienna every year. The route is around 35 miles long, and most cyclists travel downstream. The route takes you through the breathtaking districts of Upper and Lower Austria, with natural beauty, the verdant Danube Valley, the stunning Schlögen Bend, and the wonderful landscapes of the Machland, Strudengau, and Wachau. You can also enjoy traditional Austrian delicacies, including savoury dumpling specialties and the moreish wines of the Wachau region.
On the first day, you can arrive in Passau, the ''City of Three Rivers', which is famous for housing the world's largest church organ at St. Stephan's Cathedral. On the second day, you leave Passau and cycle to Engelhartszell, where you can visit the only Trappist monastery in Austria and enjoy a liqueur tasting. On day three, the bike trail runs through the region of 'Linzer Pforte', with its abbey, through Wilhering, and onwards to the Upper Austrian capital of Linz, with its magnificent historic centre, including the majestic 15th-century Linz Citadel. On day four, you cycle through the rich planes of the Machland area and enter the wild Strudengau Valley, with its small towns and villages, and cycle through lush forests in untouched nature.
The Danube Cycle Path offers an ideal way to view the region, and along the majestic river, you'll pass romantic castles, cosy villages, and sprawling vineyards. The trail along the south bank of the Danube is fun for the whole family and offers a variety of landscapes that are unmatched in Europe. The basic rule of thumb for cycling in Austria is that everything east of Salzburg is flat or rolling terrain, and everything west of Salzburg is mostly mountains. Novice riders or those looking for a more leisurely ride are best in the east of the country.
There are also cycling events for amateur cyclists in Austria, such as the extremely popular Ötztaler Radmarathon with 4,500 participants each year, and the Dreiländergiro in Nauders am Reschenpass. Cycling is very popular among Austrians and is part of the culture, with plenty of bike shops in Austrian towns and a strong cycling hotel scene.
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Cycling in Austrian cities
Austria is a great country for cycling holidays. The country's compact size means that multi-stop trips are feasible, and there is a huge variety of landscapes to explore. Austria has something for cyclists of all ages and abilities, from flat, easy riding in the east of the country, near Vienna, to high mountains in the west.
Cycling is a great way to experience Austria's cities, small towns, and countryside. Vienna, one of the world's most majestic cities, is a great place to start. On a bike tour through the imperial city, you can admire Schönbrunn Palace, the Hofburg, the emperor's treasury, and the Habsberger crypt in the Capuchin Church.
Another great option for cycling in Austrian cities is the historic town of Salzburg. A 410-km route takes you through enchanting landscapes from the Baroque gem of Salzburg to the Adriatic summer retreat.
The River Drava Cycle Trail is another great option for those looking to cycle through Austrian cities. This trail links three borderless countries: Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia. The trail along the south bank of the Danube is especially fun for the whole family.
The Mur cycle path is also a great option for those looking to cycle through historic towns and cultural treasures while also enjoying culinary delights. The region combines the beauty of the lake with action-packed downhill tracks on Alpine pastures.
For those looking for a challenge, the Tauern cycle trail stretches over 300 km at the foot of the Hohe Tauern mountain range, along the rivers Salzach and Saalach. The Königstour Bike connects some of the most beautiful bike routes between the valley towns of Maria Alm, Dienten, and Mühlbach.
There are also many cycling events for amateur cyclists in Austria, such as the extremely popular Ötztaler Radmarathon with 4,500 participants each year or the Dreiländergiro in Nauders am Reschenpass.
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Frequently asked questions
The Komoot community has a collection of the top 10 cycling routes in Austria, with detailed information on elevation and surface, as well as photos and tips from other cyclists.
The Danube Cycle Trail is a popular route that passes through Upper and Lower Austria, including the Wachau valley, with its castles and abbeys. The River Enns Cycle Trail, the River Drava Cycle Trail and the Tauern cycle trail are also recommended.
Austria's largest bike region, the Schladming-Dachstein bike region, is a paradise for every bike and nature enthusiast. The Mur cycle path includes historic towns, cultural treasures and culinary delights. The Murau region offers varied routes, fun downhills and great views. The Hochsteiermark region has routes for all skill levels.
The EuroVelo 14 route between Altenmarkt im Pongau and Liezen is 92 km long. The section between Zell am See and Bischhofen is 57.5 km. The route from Vienna, across Slovakia and Hungary to Budapest is 310 km.
Austria has a strong cycling culture and community, with plenty of bike shops in towns and cycling hotels. The country's compact size makes multi-stop trips feasible. Cycling is a great way to explore Austria's countryside, small towns and cities, and it's easy to take your bike on public transport.
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