# Danube cycle path from Melk to Krems About 35 km of cycling through the Wachau from Melk to Krems, almost flat, on whichever bank you choose and with ferries; return by boat with your bike. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/austria/lower-austria/wachau/things-to-do/danube-cycle-path · Revisado: 2026-11-11 Dónde: Wachau ### What it is The Donauradweg, the Danube cycle path, crosses the Wachau from Melk to Krems along about 35 km of almost flat valley, always downriver. It is part of the Passau–Vienna route and passes terraced vineyards, apricot orchards, winegrowers' villages and castles above the water. There is a path on both banks and ferries to change from one to the other, so you can choose the side with less traffic and stop wherever you like. It is done in an easy day, with stops, and you return by boat with your bike on board. The classic way is west to east: start in Melk, after seeing the abbey, and finish in Krems, with a direct train to Vienna. ### Which bank to choose South (right) bank: Melk, Aggsbach-Dorf, Aggstein, Oberarnsdorf, St. Lorenz, Rossatz and Rossatzbach. It is the quietest, among orchards, vineyards and riverside meadows, and avoids the main road until Rossatzbach, where the path runs beside the road. North (left) bank: Emmersdorf, Willendorf, Spitz, Weißenkirchen, Dürnstein, Loiben and Krems. It passes through the best-known villages, but between Emmersdorf and Spitz and between Weißenkirchen and Dürnstein it runs on the pavement beside the B3 federal road, with a lot of traffic: with children, better avoided. From Spitz to Weißenkirchen it runs on the old Wachau road, which is quiet. A comfortable combination: south bank from Melk to Oberarnsdorf, ferry to Spitz, north bank as far as Weißenkirchen and back to the south via St. Lorenz if you want to avoid the stretch beside the B3. ### The ferries There are three river crossings in the Wachau: Spitz – Arnsdorf and Weißenkirchen – St. Lorenz, with cable ferries that operate from April to October, with no fixed timetable, depending on demand; and Dürnstein – Rossatz, with a motor boat. Mautern and Krems-Stein are joined by a bridge. ### Bike hire Wachau Touristik Bernhardt: hires city, trekking, mountain and electric bikes in Melk (Pionierstraße 2) and in Spitz (Bahnhofstraße 6). Book by telephone (+43 2713 2222) or email; the website does not publish prices. If you ask, e-bikes hired in Melk can be returned in Krems or in Spitz. nextbike: public bikes with stations along the Danube, from April to mid-November, which you can leave at another station. ### Getting back By boat: the DDSG Blue Danube boats between Krems and Melk carry bike racks; the bike pays €3, and is handled at the landing stage. By train: direct trains to Vienna leave from Krems. ### When to go and how long From April to October, when the cable ferries are running. If you want to see the apricots, check the apricot season. Allow a whole day with stops: about 5 hours on the bike or less, plus the visits. There is little shade along much of the path. ### With children It is flat, so it suits children who already cycle, but avoid the stretches beside the B3 on the north bank. With small children, do only one stretch, for example from Spitz to Weißenkirchen along the old road, and return by boat. ## Paso a paso ### Start · Melk Hire a bike in Melk and cross the river to continue on the north bank, or stay on the south, which is quieter. ### First stretch · To Spitz On the north bank, from Emmersdorf the path runs beside the B3 road; on the south, among orchards and vineyards to Oberarnsdorf, with a ferry to Spitz. ### Spitz – Weißenkirchen On the north bank, the old Wachau road, with little traffic. A good place to stop for lunch. ### Dürnstein The abbey's blue tower and the castle ruin above. Leave the bike and climb on foot if you have time. ### End · Krems The finish is in Krems' old town. Return by boat to Melk or by train to Vienna. ## Qué llevar - Helmet and waterproof - Water and sun cream: there is little shade on the path - A lock for stops ## Consejos ### Ask for the return in Krems Wachau Touristik Bernhardt collects e-bikes hired in Melk at Krems if you let them know. ### Switch banks The ferries at Spitz and Weißenkirchen take you off the stretches beside the B3 road. ### Check the notices before setting out Donau Niederösterreich publishes closures and diversions of the path on its website, for example due to rockfalls. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How many kilometres is it from Melk to Krems? About 35 km, almost without hills and downriver. ### Which bank is better? The south is quieter; the north passes through Spitz, Weißenkirchen and Dürnstein, but has stretches beside the B3. You can switch at the ferries. ### Where do I hire a bike? In Melk or in Spitz, with Wachau Touristik Bernhardt, or with the nextbike system, with stations along the river.