Traisental Bicycle Trail

One of the most popular routes for bicyclers, the Traisental trail connects the Danube with Mariazell, the most important site of pilgrimage in Austria. On 110 km (68 mi) the landscape slowly changes from the flat basin of the Danube into gently rolling hills on to imposing mountain scenery. Expect to take four days for the whole trip.

The first part of the tour – 23 km (14 mi) from the Danube to the capital St. Pölten – is especially good for families with children as there are no hills to climb. There are also the Ratzersdorfer and Viehhofner lakes not far from St. Pölten’s centre, where you can have a refreshing swim without paying an entrance fee.
En route you can visit Jurassic Island, a Dinosaur theme park, in Traismauer, and the magnificient abbey of Herzogenburg. The second leg of the route – 27 km (17 mi) through the upper Traisen valley to Lilienfeld – is not too strenuous, either. You are still following shady cycle paths along the river and other side lanes with hardly any traffic. In Lilienfeld make sure you have enough time to visit the towering abbey of Lilienfeld, the largest medieval convent in Austria.

En route you can visit Jurassic Island, a Dinosaur theme park, in Traismauer, and the magnificient abbey of Herzogenburg. The second leg of the route – 27 km (17 mi) through the upper Traisen valley to Lilienfeld – is not too strenuous, either. You are still following shady cycle paths along the river and other side lanes with hardly any traffic. In Lilienfeld make sure you have enough time to visit the towering abbey of Lilienfeld, the largest medieval convent in Austria.

Now you are in alpine terrain, so expect ascents on days three and four – 24 km (15 mi) to St. Aegyd, 37 km (23 mi) to Mariazell. Take a break in Kernhof at the camel theatre where the actors are actually camels. In the adjoining zoo you can see the newly acquired white tigers, a unique sight in Austria. Afterwards head for the Gscheid pass. Climbing 4 km (2½ mi) uphill is the most demanding part of the tour which brings you to the province of Styria and the city of Mariazell.

The easiest way to do the Traisental bicycle trail is to take the train from St. Pölten to Mariazell and then slowly make your way back. As you will be going downstream you won’t have to put much effort into pedaling – the bike will coast. If you just want to sample part of this route you can take the Traisentalbahn train to St. Aegyd only, leaving 74 km (46 mi) to bike back.

• 3x B&B in country inns
• comprehensive information material and maps
• train ticket: Mariazell–St. Pölten
• luggage transfer on demand

Price:
€ 121 per person, double occupancy

Booking:
Mostviertel Tourismus, Adalbert-Stifter-Str. 4, 3250 Wieselburg, T +43/7416/521 91, office@most4tel.com