Day 2 of the Cycling Horizon PassauโVienna cycling journey takes you from Linz ๐ฆ๐น to along the Danube and EuroVelo 6. This scenic 87.4 km cycling route continues east through the Austrian countryside, following the Danube through riverside landscapes, villages, small towns and peaceful cycling roads.
Explore this stage of the EuroVelo 6 Danube Cycle Route with an interactive map, downloadable GPX track and full real-world cycling video. The LinzโYbbs an der Donau stage is part of the four-stage Cycling Horizon journey from Passau to Vienna, continuing east towards the Austrian capital.
Linz โ Ybbs an der Donau: Cycling the Danube Along EuroVelo 6 Through Austria
The Linz โ Ybbs an der Donau cycling route is the second stage of the Cycling Horizon PassauโVienna cycling tour, continuing eastwards along the Danube and EuroVelo 6 through Austria. After beginning the journey in Passau and reaching Linz on the first stage, the route now continues deeper into the Austrian Danube valley, following the river through a landscape shaped by water, forests, farmland, villages and historic settlements.
This stage is part of the four-stage Cycling Horizon PassauโVienna journey. The route has been divided into four longer cycling stages rather than following the shorter seven-stage division commonly used for the complete PassauโVienna journey. Linz โ Ybbs an der Donau therefore represents a substantial section of the overall journey and continues the eastward progression towards Vienna.
Leaving Linz and Continuing Along the Danube
The second stage begins in Linz, one of Austria’s major cities and an important destination on the Danube. After leaving the urban environment, the route gradually returns to the characteristic landscape of the Danube Cycle Route, where the river once again becomes the central element of the journey.
The transition from city cycling to the quieter surroundings of the Danube creates a natural change in atmosphere. Instead of urban streets and buildings, the route increasingly opens into countryside, riverside landscapes and smaller settlements. The result is a relaxed long-distance cycling experience where the focus shifts back towards the river and the surrounding landscape.
Following the Danube Through Austria
The route continues east along the Danube through one of Austria’s most important cycling corridors. EuroVelo 6 follows the river through a constantly changing combination of wooded areas, open countryside, agricultural land and settlements.
For cyclists, one of the main attractions of this section is the ability to maintain a consistent rhythm for long periods. The route is not defined by a series of major mountain climbs, but by the gradual progression through the Danube valley and the changing scenery along the river.
This makes the Linz โ Ybbs an der Donau stage particularly suitable for riders who enjoy long-distance cycling and the feeling of travelling through a landscape rather than simply riding from one climb to another.
The Danube Cycle Route Experience
The Danube is the defining feature of this journey. Following the river creates a strong sense of continuity, with the surrounding landscape gradually changing as the route moves further east through Austria.
Riverside sections alternate with countryside and settlements, creating enough variety to keep a long ride visually interesting. The route also demonstrates why the Danube has become such an important cycling corridor in Europe: it provides a natural geographical connection between major destinations while passing through landscapes that are exceptionally well suited to cycle touring.
For cyclists travelling the EuroVelo 6, the experience is not only about reaching the next destination. Much of the attraction comes from the gradual movement through the landscape, the changing views of the river and the opportunity to experience Austria from the bicycle.
Through the Austrian Countryside Towards Ybbs an der Donau
As the route continues towards Ybbs an der Donau, the surroundings remain dominated by the Danube valley. Small communities, agricultural areas, wooded sections and open views create a varied landscape throughout the stage.
The route provides a good balance between distance and scenery. There are long sections where cyclists can settle into a comfortable pace, while changes in the landscape and settlements provide natural points of interest along the way.
For touring cyclists, this type of route is particularly attractive because the journey itself becomes the main experience. Rather than concentrating on a single destination, the ride allows cyclists to gradually move through the Austrian countryside while following one of Europe’s most important rivers.
Arriving in Ybbs an der Donau
Ybbs an der Donau marks the end of the second Cycling Horizon stage of the PassauโVienna journey. Located on the Danube, the town provides a natural stopping point after the long ride from Linz.
Reaching Ybbs an der Donau also creates a clear transition to the next part of the journey. From here, the route continues further east towards Krems before the final stage leads to Vienna.
For cyclists completing the entire PassauโVienna journey, Ybbs an der Donau therefore represents an important intermediate destination and another milestone in the progression from Germany towards the Austrian capital.
A Scenic Section of EuroVelo 6
The Linz โ Ybbs an der Donau stage is a good example of the character of EuroVelo 6 along the Austrian Danube. The route combines long-distance cycling with constantly changing riverside scenery and the atmosphere of travelling through rural Austria.
It is particularly appealing to cyclists who enjoy endurance rides, cycle touring and multi-day adventures. The route does not depend on a single spectacular attraction; instead, its appeal comes from the complete experience of following the Danube through the landscape.
For anyone planning to ride a section of the Danube Cycle Route, Linz โ Ybbs an der Donau provides an excellent opportunity to experience a substantial part of the journey in one continuous ride.
Suitable for Different Types of Cycling
The Linz โ Ybbs an der Donau route can be ridden as an individual long-distance cycling route or as part of a longer Danube cycling holiday. Road bikes, gravel bikes, trekking bicycles, touring bikes, hybrid bicycles and e-bikes can all be suitable depending on the cyclist’s preferred riding style and equipment.
The route is particularly well suited to cyclists who enjoy maintaining a steady endurance pace over longer distances. It can also form part of a multi-day bikepacking adventure along the Danube, with Linz and Ybbs an der Donau providing clear points for starting and finishing an individual stage.
For riders travelling the complete PassauโVienna route, this stage continues the rhythm established on the first day while gradually taking the journey further into Austria.
Part of a Four-Stage PassauโVienna Journey
This ride is Day 2 of the four-stage Cycling Horizon PassauโVienna cycling tour.
- Day 1 – Passau ๐ฉ๐ช โ Linz ๐ฆ๐น
- Day 2 – Linz ๐ฆ๐น โ Ybbs an der Donau ๐ฆ๐น
- Day 3 – Ybbs an der Donau ๐ฆ๐น โ Mautern ๐ฆ๐น
- Day 4 – Mautern ๐ฆ๐น โ Vienna ๐ฆ๐น
The four-stage structure allows each Cycling Horizon video to document a substantial section of the journey. Instead of presenting the route as a collection of short individual stages, the series follows the journey through Austria in four longer rides.
After completing the first stage from Passau to Linz, this second stage continues east from Linz to Ybbs an der Donau. The following ride will take the journey further towards Krems, before the final stage reaches Vienna.
Real-World Cycling Video
The complete Cycling Horizon recording shows the Linz โ Ybbs an der Donau journey from the perspective of an actual bicycle ride. The video captures the road, surroundings and changing scenery as they appear during the journey, providing a realistic impression of what cyclists can expect when following this section of EuroVelo 6.
This makes the recording useful for cyclists planning their own Danube adventure as well as for viewers who simply enjoy exploring European cycling routes from home. Instead of seeing only a route line on a map, viewers can experience the landscape continuously from the bicycle.
The video also works as an immersive virtual cycling experience for riders who want to follow the Danube while completing an indoor training session.
Ideal for Indoor Cycling Training
The long-distance nature of the Linz โ Ybbs an der Donau stage makes it well suited to endurance-focused indoor cycling. The continuous road footage and changing Austrian landscape provide a natural visual environment for longer aerobic sessions, steady endurance rides and Zone 2 training.
Riders can follow the journey at their own preferred training intensity while experiencing the scenery of the Danube from home. This makes the route useful not only as a real-world cycling destination but also as a virtual cycling experience for indoor training.
Download the GPX Route and Explore the Interactive Map
The Cycling Horizon route page includes the complete GPX track for the Linz โ Ybbs an der Donau stage. The GPX file can be downloaded and transferred to compatible GPS cycling computers and navigation applications for cyclists planning to ride the route themselves.
The interactive map provides a clear overview of the complete route and allows cyclists to explore the journey before setting out. Together with the GPX track, it provides a practical way to prepare for a ride along this section of the Danube and EuroVelo 6.
The route page also includes the complete real-world cycling video and a gallery from the ride, bringing the map, navigation information and visual experience together in one place.
Experience the Danube from Linz to Ybbs an der Donau
Linz โ Ybbs an der Donau is a memorable second stage of the Cycling Horizon PassauโVienna journey and an excellent way to continue exploring EuroVelo 6 through Austria. Leaving Linz behind, the route follows the Danube eastwards through countryside, riverside landscapes, small communities and the characteristic scenery of the Austrian Danube valley.
The real appeal of this stage is the experience of long-distance cycling itself: settling into a steady rhythm, following the river and watching the Austrian landscape gradually change as the kilometres pass. It is a route that rewards cyclists who enjoy endurance, exploration and the freedom of travelling through Europe by bicycle.
As Day 2 of the four-stage Cycling Horizon PassauโVienna journey, Linz โ Ybbs an der Donau continues the route towards the Austrian capital. From Ybbs an der Donau, the journey carries on towards Krems and finally Vienna, completing the eastward journey along the Danube.
