Cycle in Germany and Austria

Know Cycle

Plan a bicycle trip along the Danube River. No experience required!

Cycling downriver alongside the Danube River in Germany and Austria is known as the premier cycling holiday in all of Europe. It's a wonderful way to explore Europe on a bike path without traffic. No bike touring experience required!

Cycling the Danube for 200 miles between Passau and Vienna, most all on a designated bike path without cars, gives you the opportunity to experience the people and culture of Germany and Austria. It is a trip well suited for young adults to seniors and can be done on your own or as a guided adventure. Language problems are minimal, just enough to make it interesting! The food, beer and wine are fantastic. The trip includes cycling through the UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape of Wachau. Throw in Bavarian villages, castles of yore and some Roman and Habsburg history and you will have a trip you will never forget. Join Jim Kress for an evening of stories and fun along with tips on how to make this trip a reality for you and your family or friends. Handouts will be provided.

Jim Kress's love of distance cycling started with his first trip down Highway 101 on the Oregon Coast. Each June when Jane would finish teaching 5th graders they would head to the beach. She spent the mornings relaxing on the beach with their golden retriever and Eurovan while he headed south on his bike. They have cycled along the Danube across Germany and Austria on five different occasions. The last trip was in May 2024. In addition, they have cycled through Brittany in France. A couple of other fun trips had Jim hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 1989 (Jane did the pretty parts) and cross-country skiing across the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and hiking out the other side.

Questions? Contact laurelw@deschuteslibrary.org