The cycle tour that gets children on their feet and relaxes parents

There are days when you simply have to get out as a family: out of the routine and into a little adventure. This loop between Schärding and Passau is just for those moments - one of the most leisurely 34-kilometre stories a river can tell.

Where colours carry stories: start in the Silberzeile

Schärding welcomes you with the Silberzeile a row of houses that looks as if someone has asked the rainbow for advice. Each house: a different colour. Each colour used to have a meaning. And while the children are still deciding whether they would rather live in the yellow merchant's house or the red craftsman's house, you can decide for yourself whether to start with the "Wow" or the "Aha" - the City Museum delivers the latter free of charge.

Building bridges - literally

Across the Old Inn Bridge you cross over into Bavarian flair. As soon as you cross over, you have to slow down again: the churches of Neuhaus and Vornbach are like two dots at the end of a sentence that say: "Please stop here for a moment!" And because the path is so flat that even cyclists can keep up, there is enough energy left for just that.

Castle high above, natural cinema below: Neuburg am Inn

Then comes a scene that looks like something out of a good old family film: a castle, five towers, a baroque garden - right at the top.
The Inn, which squeezes through the Vornbach narrows below - really big. You decide: Speed up or inhale the panorama? Both are right.

Passau: where the playground suddenly speaks Roman

Once you arrive in Passau, students, guests and the alleyways of the old town merge into a small symphony of everyday life. A detour to the Roman museum "Kastell Boiotro" ("UNESCO World Heritage Danube Limes") is ideal for mini-adventurers who urgently want to discover something again or for parents who want to experience a touch of "Asterix & Obelix" in real life. The way back leads through the Severinstor gate and back towards the river - and perhaps the Inn will think to itself: "Nanu, I know them! Nice of them to come back."

Extra adventure: river lazing on the boat

If you want to treat the children (or yourself) to a little finale: In Ingling, the MS Schärding. Tuesday to Saturday in the afternoon, Sundays and public holidays also at lunchtime. Bicycles can travel free of charge - and so can your inner bastard.

Good to know - compact and suitable for children

• Length of the tour: 34 km
• Ascent: hardly worth mentioning, ideal for families
• Refreshments: in Schärding, Passau and in between. The Culinary Upperguide shows the way to the next gourmet stop.

• Return by boat: from Ingling to Schärding (free bike transport)

   

The tour in detail