Description:
Pleasure-packed discovery tour around the Linzer Basin: natural Danube floodplains, pass cycling through Mühlbachtal, sublime Alpine views, magnificent farmsteads with buildings on all four sides in Traun-Enns-Riedelland, river cycling at the mysterious Danube, Linz's cultural city skyline, Linz's gateway breakthrough valley... Insider tip: shorten the route by taking the Donaubus ferry from Linz to Ottensheim.

Highlights:

Wilhering monastery (monastery – Rococo gem, Park)

Baroque gem St. Florian monastery (Bruckner organ, graves of St. Florian ...)

Cultural city of Linz, UNESCO City of Media Arts

Historic Danube roller ferry at Ottensheim (operational since 1871)

Donaubus ferry: Linz-Ottensheim

Directions:
The wonderful opening act is Wilhering Abbey. The abbey church is one of the loveliest Rococo churches in the German-speaking area and is simply amazing! The impressive abbey is situated on a wetland terrace in the Danube at the crossing point of the expansive Eferdinger Basin in the Linzer gateway of Donauengtal. Proceed on a cycle path through the Abbey fields to Wilhering ferry. Opposite, you are greeted by the venerable Danube market town of Ottensheim, complete with its grand castle. Almost meditatively, you then warm up by cycling through the shade-providing Danube alluvial forests, enjoying the tweeting of the birds on the Danube Cycle Path – a treat! Hidden views to a (re-naturalised) branch of this mythical river are a reminder of a time when dense alluvial areas, permeated by meanders of numerous Danube tributaries, dominated the Eferdinger Basin area. Peaceful farm roads then proceed through fertile plains to the edge of Eferdinger Basin. After crossing Linzer Straße enjoy some surprisingly pleasurable pass style cycling – a fantastic 6.2 km ride through hidden Mühlbachtal, up the crossing into Linzer Basin! Ascending gently as you ride - on a (for the most part medium traffic level) main road – through a rural cultural landscape, passing pretty settlements and small woodlands. In the idyllic rural village of Dörnbach the route branches off and you climb through a residential area on a final, somewhat steeper climb to the 'Pass' crossing into Linzer Basin (360 m). Congratulations, you are now at the highest point of the circuit! Linzer Basin which extends out to an impressive 100 km² is at your feet. There now begins an undulating descent – mostly through an urban residential area, yet in part through rural cultural landscape – to the Traun river. Fantastic expansive views across the Linzer Basin open up right to the Alps. The town square in Leonding tempts you to take a short breather. Once you reach the secluded Traun wetland area, follow the cycle path to the flood protection dam initially, then head to Kleinmünchner Canal. Cross the Traun bridge to get to Ebelsberg. Today a part of Linz, at the time of Napoleon, Ebelsberg entered world history with this strategically important Traun crossing. It is here that a ride through one of the loveliest rural cultural landscapes in Upper Austria begins: gently undulating hills, fertile fields, tradition-packed orchards, the biggest area of farmsteads with buildings on all fours sides in Upper Austria, ... Traun-Enns-Riedelland! Tranquil rural roads meander in the rhythm of the landscape. The route ascents gently up to Wambach, then there is a perspiration-inducing ascent with a short, steep 'Riedel' (= hill ridge). The long pleasure-filled descent to Rohrbach leaves you smiling afterwards. At the 'Jahreszeitenhof', much like a manor house, (365 windows, 12 gateways) in Gemering, the final 'Riedel' climb begins. After that there is a short, yet very steep (!), downhill section and you are then at the impressive Baroque gem that is St. Florian Monastery – a Danube highlight! It is one of the biggest Baroque monasteries in Austria: the Stiftsbasilika, the world famous Bruckner organ, the graves of St. Florian and music virtuoso Anton Bruckner ...Have fun exploring! After yet another short, very steep (!) descent, you are then riding through the historic market town of St. Florian out into the Danube plains. Proceed through a rural cultural landscape on farm roads and cycle paths into the extensive Danube river areas, passing the impressive Danube Abwinden-Asten power station, on the other side of the river. There now follows some of the very best riverside cycling – enjoy a pleasure-filled pedal upriver on the embankment on the legendary Treppelweg. The glistening water, refreshing breeze, the purring of your tyres ... your thoughts start to wander. Opposite, the legendary saltwater river Traun opens up into the Danube. At one time it carried precious salt from the Salzkammergut to the Danube. In the area around Steyregger Bridge a surreal industrial landscape is a surprise element. While at Linz's recreational boat harbour, the Linz Riviera inspires - a little bit of sandy beach with a bizarre industrial backdrop!

From Plesching bathing beach the banks of the Danube become the popular Linz recreation area. And shortly afterwards, the numerous pieces of architecture recount a successful shift from Linz as an industrial location to a cultural city: Brucknerhaus, Lentos Kunstmuseum, Ars Electronica Center... at any rate, Linz is definitely worth a visit!

Tip: Connoisseurs can avail of the Donaubus ferry from Linz to Ottensheim, and get to experience the deep breakthrough valley at the Linzer gateway up close, right on this mysterious river. Then you also get more time to linger, since the route will be truncated by around 10 km. In Ottensheim another ferry trip will be required to get to Wilhering.

After Linz, the ride through the deep breakthrough valley at Linzer gateway begins. The wide Danube Cycle Path invites you to enjoy an easygoing cycle. In terms of scenery, it is accompanied by a bustling main road. Final highlight: the historic Danube market town of Ottensheim! Situated at the end of the Eferdinger Basin, this was once a key crossing point. The market square is well worth a look and recounts its long tradition as a trade hub. The crossing on the roller ferry, which first went into operation here in 1871, is a lovely way to finish, even for landlubbers who are not much interested in the technical aspects. The short return section to Wilhering Abbey is indeed one you are already familiar with.

Safety guidelines:
The main section of this pleasure-filled cycle circuit proceeds over peaceful, asphalt (side) roads and cycle paths. It is only through Mühlbachtal that there may – depending on the time of day – be more traffic on about 3.9 km of the route. Three sections (430 m, 130 m, 220 m) proceed over sand tracks that are easily rideable. Basic gear technique is advantageous on the undulating Traun-Enns-Riedelland section. In St. Florian there are two, short, steeper descent sections that require particular care. Please note the operating times for the wire rope bridge in Ottensheim for the final crossing to Ottensheim. Should this not be in operation, 2.2 km before the Wilhering ferry pier you can swap to the other bank of the Danube proceeding via Ottensheim-Wilhering power station if required, however t his will extend the circuit by around 8.5 km!

Tip: To make the circuit more attractive with a boat trip on the Danube and at the same time shorten the cycle route, avail of the Donaubus ferry from Linz to Ottensheim.

Signage:

To make orientation easier, the Danube Cycle Path has been signposted with its own cycle guidance system. This circuit follows the "R1.10 Kult-Tour um Linz" signposts.

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