Danube Cycle Path, stage 6, south bank: Mautern – Klosterneuburg

The Ancient Romans played a vital role in the history of Mautern. That is evident not only from the ruins of the Roman fort Favianis. The Roman Museum in the Baroque granary shows the significance of the community in ancient times whereas the handsome burgher homes attest to the golden age of Mautern in the 15th a nd 16th c .

Next comes the Tulln Basin (Tullnerfeld in German), which has all kinds of surprises in store for you. The region is rich in landscapes and habitats, in delicacies and specialties, in art and culture. The Tulln Basin Bike Path invites you to cycle your way to myriad interesting day trips. If time allows, we encourage you to visit Traismauer, an old town steeped in the history of the Romans and the Nibelungs. In the heart of town, the Römertor (Roman Gate) attests to Roman times, as do the Hungerturm (Hunger Tower) and the former Roman fort – today an elegant castle with wine shop. Enjoy a tasty meal of carp à la Sitzenberg or relax at the summer theater festival at Sitzenberg Castle. Tulln Basin is home to typical towns like Atzenbrugg, where the ingenious composer of art songs Franz Schubert made music or Rust with the Leopold Figl Museum as well as Langenrohr with the Josef Reither Museum.

On your way to Tulln, you pass Zwentendorf, home to the only nuclear power station in Austria, which was never put into operation, however. GARTEN TULLN with its 60 model gardens, a 30 m high treetop trail and the water park (rental boats) is just off the bike path, as are the Austrian painter Hundertwasser’s ship “Regentag” (Rainy Day) and the Tullner Aubad, wonderful for swimming and sunbathing.

After Tulln, you see the chain of hills comprising the Vienna Woods, which suddenly extend all the way to the bank at the Danube bend in Greifenstein. The lush old arm of the Danube at this location is an enticing place for a swim. The wine town of Klosterneuburg is not at all far away from here.

Mautern an der Donau - Hollenburg - Traismauer - Zwentendorf an der Donau - Tulln an der Donau - Muckendorf an der Donau - Höflein an der Donau - Klosterneuburg

Route description:

You begin your tour in Mautern an der Donau. History enthusiasts have a real treat in store from the start here, because Mautern has a long history as a Roman settlement and there are many finds from this era. After learning all about the history of Mautern, you head out of town in the direction of the Fladnitz River. This segment affords a superb view of Göttweig Abbey. You cycle downstream along the Fladnitz to the Danube. Just before the confluence of the Fladnitz with the Danube, you turn off onto the Danube Bike Path. You follow this scenic bike path from one Danube bend to the next, pedaling past idyllic swimming beaches and shady woods, the Donaurestaurant and Traismauer, a town in the Lay of the Nibelung, until arriving at the Traisen River. You cross the river and return along the Danube bank.

There you encounter Zwentendorf, a small community along the Danube with an unusual sight: the first and only nuclear power station in Austria, which was never put into operation, however. You stay on the bike path until Kleinschönbichl, where you get off it and cycle a ways away from the Danube. You take the country road through the two towns of Pischelsdorf and Langenschönbichl and then L 2148 till you reach the Grosse Tulln. After crossing this river, you return to the Danube on the other side. You cover the next stretch on the bike path before arriving at Tulln an der Donau, your intermediate destination and a community known for its gardens and art. Lively waterscapes surrounded by nature and splendid green spaces and gardens await you, plus a fascinating encounter with the world-renowned Austrian painter Egon Schiele and his art.

You continue along the Danube on the well-kept bike path, You pass small communities and cool woods, simply staying on the Danube Bike Path. Slowly but surely the famous Vienna Woods come into view. At Greifenstein you cross a side arm of the Danube and continue your trip on the opposite bank. Just after Höflein an der Donau, you take a right off the bike path and ride directly along the channel avulsion (Klosterneuburger Durchstich) to the center of Klosterneuburg. This town is also the destination of this rewarding bicycle tour. Klosterneuburg is dominated by the monastery of the Augustinian Canons and nestled between the hilly countryside of the Vienna Woods and the Danube wetlands. It is on the outskirts of Vienna, just a few kilometers from the vibrant first district in Vienna.