Cycle from Melk to Mautern in Austria along EuroVelo 6 – Danube Cycle Route, one of Europe’s most popular long-distance cycling routes. This 33.5 km section forms part of the Passau to Vienna cycling journey and follows the Danube through the beautiful Wachau region.
With 128 m of elevation gain, the route is an easy and enjoyable ride suitable for recreational cyclists, touring riders and anyone exploring the Austrian Danube by bicycle. Much of the journey follows quiet cycling paths close to the river, offering views of the Danube, surrounding hills and characteristic Wachau landscape.
Starting in Melk, famous for its impressive abbey overlooking the Danube, the route continues east through the valley towards Mautern an der Donau. The relatively flat profile makes this section accessible while still providing a rewarding cycling experience.
Explore the complete route, view the map, download the GPX track and watch the full real-world cycling video from Melk to Mautern.
Cycling from Melk to Mautern on EuroVelo 6
The cycling route from Melk to Mautern follows one of the most attractive sections of EuroVelo 6 – Danube Cycle Route in Austria. Covering 33.5 km with 128 m of elevation gain, this easy ride continues east along the Danube and forms part of the longer Cycling Horizon journey from Passau to Vienna.
The route is entirely on asphalt and takes approximately 1 hour and 43 minutes of riding time. With relatively little climbing over more than 30 kilometres, it is suitable for touring cyclists, recreational riders and cyclists looking for a relaxed stage along the Austrian Danube.
This section is particularly interesting because it takes you through the Wachau region, where the Danube flows between hills, vineyards, villages and historic settlements. The combination of easy cycling and distinctive scenery makes the Melk to Mautern route an excellent example of why the Austrian section of EuroVelo 6 is so popular with cycle tourists.
Starting in Melk
The ride begins in Melk, one of the best-known towns along this part of the Danube. The town is dominated by the impressive Melk Abbey, which stands above the river and is one of the most recognizable landmarks along the Passau to Vienna cycling journey.
From Melk, the route continues east along the Danube towards the Wachau Valley. After leaving the town, the character of the ride quickly becomes quieter, with long sections following the river and the surrounding landscape.
For cyclists travelling along EuroVelo 6, Melk is an important point on the journey. It marks the transition into a particularly scenic part of the Danube corridor and provides a natural starting point for a ride deeper into the Wachau region.
Cycling through the Wachau Valley
The Melk to Mautern cycling route provides a relaxed way to experience the Wachau from a cyclist’s perspective. The Danube remains a central feature of the ride, while wooded hills and the characteristic landscape of Lower Austria surround the route.
With only 128 metres of elevation gain across 33.5 kilometres, there are no major climbing challenges. The relatively flat profile allows cyclists to concentrate on the scenery rather than constantly managing steep gradients.
The asphalt surface also makes the route suitable for a wide range of bicycles, including touring bikes, road-oriented hybrid bikes and e-bikes. For riders completing a longer multi-day Danube cycling trip, this makes the section a manageable stage that can also be combined with neighbouring EuroVelo 6 routes.
The Cycling Horizon video documents the route as it was actually ridden rather than presenting only selected scenic highlights. This provides a realistic impression of the cycling paths, road conditions, surroundings and overall character of the journey between Melk and Mautern.
An easy EuroVelo 6 cycling route
The route is classified as Easy, primarily because of its moderate distance and limited elevation gain. A distance of 33.5 km makes it long enough to provide a substantial ride while remaining accessible to recreational cyclists.
The recorded riding time is approximately 1 hour and 43 minutes, although actual travel time will naturally depend on riding speed, stops and sightseeing along the way. Cyclists exploring the Wachau may want to allow considerably more time, especially if the route is being ridden as part of a leisurely cycling holiday.
Because the route uses an asphalt surface, no specialized gravel equipment is required. This also makes the Melk to Mautern section useful for cyclists planning EuroVelo 6 who want to understand what type of bicycle and equipment they may need for their own journey.
Part of the Passau to Vienna cycling journey
Melk → Mautern is part of the Cycling Horizon Passau → Vienna series, documenting the journey along the Danube Cycle Route from the cyclist’s perspective.
Rather than treating Passau to Vienna as a single route, the journey is divided into individual sections. This makes it possible to explore shorter stages separately, compare different parts of the Danube Cycle Route and use individual GPX tracks when planning a ride.
The Melk to Mautern section can therefore be ridden independently or incorporated into a longer EuroVelo 6 itinerary through Austria. It also connects naturally with the neighbouring sections of the route and continues the journey east towards Vienna.
GPX track and route map
A GPX track for Melk → Mautern is available on Cycling Horizon and can be downloaded for use with compatible GPS cycling computers, navigation devices and cycling applications.
The interactive route map provides an overview of the complete track before starting the ride. Using the GPX file together with the full cycling video makes it possible to examine both the geographical route and the actual riding conditions.
This can be particularly useful when planning a cycling holiday along the Danube. A map shows where the route goes, while the real-world video provides additional context about the cycling environment that is difficult to understand from a route line alone.
Experience Melk to Mautern before riding it yourself
The Melk to Mautern EuroVelo 6 route combines easy cycling, an asphalt surface, limited climbing and classic Danube scenery. At 33.5 km with 128 m of elevation gain, it is an accessible section of the Danube Cycle Route and an attractive ride through the Wachau region.
Watch the complete Cycling Horizon video to experience the route from the cyclist’s perspective, explore the interactive map and download the GPX track if you are planning to ride the same section yourself.
Whether Melk to Mautern is part of a longer Passau to Vienna cycling trip or a standalone ride through the Wachau, this section offers a characteristic experience of cycling along the Danube in Austria.
