Czech Republic & Austria Family Biking
- Discover two intriguing countries and cultures in one trip
- Český Krumlov, a 13th-century Bohemian town with storybook castles and charming squares
- Crisscross the Danube River amid timeless villages and onion-domed churches
- A private, theatrical sword-fighting display entrances both kids and adults
- Dig into hearty Czech and Austrian specialties at local family-friendly restaurants
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Bohemian Knights & Danube Castles
Open up and dive in! To the pages of a Bohemian storybook adventure. Complete with spires, turrets and onion-shaped domes. Medieval castles, sword fighting, Schuhplattler dancers and goulash. Opening scene: Prague. Captivating. Emerging. It’s just the start. Bike rides through gentle countryside. The chance in magical Český Krumlov to stump Czech Professor Nechlebová, a walking encyclopedia. Kids get a taste of the Renaissance watching falconry at Schloss Rosenburg castle and wield Iron Age-style tools in Mitterkirchen. Pedal by the Danube. Taste Wachau Valley wine and grape juice. Final scene: Vienna. Intriguing. Let’s get started!
Day 1 En garde! A theatrical sword-fighting display, courtesy of the Brothers of the Rose, entrances kids and adults alike 
From beautiful Lake Lipno, bike through Bohemia's rolling pastures, evergreen forest and quiet villages to the World Heritage site of Český Krumlov, a charming 13th-century town with twisting lanes and red-tile roofs.
Day 2 Adults dive into Czech history with Helena, our local friend and historian, at an informal Q&A and walking tour of Český Krumlov Spin into the countryside, passing lush meadows and timeless homesteads sporting traditional folk architecture.
Day 3 Two intriguing countries and cultures in one trip Arriving in Austria, pedal rolling green hills through the famous Mostviertel district, known for its distinctive most (hard apple cider) Kids visit the Mitterkirchen open-air museum, where a re-created Celtic village offers a glimpse into the past, then test their aim at nine-pin bowling 
Dinner is served with a rousing performance by Schuhplattler dancers.
Day 4 Crisscross the fabled Danube River as you ride along the Donauradweg, the well-loved Danube bike path Impressive World Heritage-site Melk Abbey, towering on a bluff above the river, comes into view en route to the charming town of Dürnstein.
Days 5-6 Austria's picture-perfect villages with onion-shaped church steeples Bike through the Kamptal region, stopping for a sample - wine for adults and grape juice for kids Grown-ups keep pedaling while the younger set heads to a Renaissance castle for a fun and fascinating falconry demonstration Which sounds best? Spinning to the archaeological site of Willendorf, walking among vineyards and fruit orchards, or just relaxing at the hotel.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
I'm a great fan of Backroads, and your Trip Leaders are what differentiates you from other active travel companies.- Palo Alto, CA
Casual Inns
Hotel Zlatý Andel
Český Krumlov (2 nights) Three buildings in the Gothic style compose this unique hotel set on the town’s main historic square.
Relax Resort Kothmühle
Neuhofen an der Ybbs (1 night) A charming family-owned country inn, set amid rolling green hills in the "cradle of Austria." (pool, spa, tennis)
Hotel Kirchenwirt
Weissenkirchen (2 nights) Austrian hospitality and Danube views abound at this comfortable guesthouse.
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This Trip Is Rated Level 1-4
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Road Bike Average | Mountain Bike Average* | Walk & Hike Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 10-15 miles | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 16-20 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 21-25 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 26-30 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 31+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations
The route options below are for adults and older kids with more biking experience who are up for longer rides or hikes. For all other kids (and adults who choose), we make it easy to do even less than the shortest option mentioned below, usually by taking a short lift in one of our support vehicles. We are here to make sure everyone has a great time so there's no need for you to worry about whether your child will be able to "keep up."
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- 11, 26 miles
- 650 - 1300 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 5 Route Options Available
- 8, 13, 26, 39, 51 miles
- 310 - 2070 feet elevation gain
- Český Krumlov Guided Walk 45 minutes
- Kids Renaissance Activity 1.5 hours
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 3 5 Route Options Available
- 8, 20, 28, 36, 49 miles
- 300 - 1650 feet elevation gain
- Kids Museum Visit & Bowling
Day 4
- Levels 3 to 5 5 Route Options Available
- 17, 25, 32, 50, 67 miles
- 80 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 4 Route Options Available
- 19, 25, 39, 54 miles
- 160 - 2100 feet elevation gain
- Kids Castle Visit 1 hour
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 13 miles
- 10 feet elevation gain
- or Optional Hike 1.9 miles
- 120 feet elevation gain
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For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Czech Republic & Austria tour experts. See our award-winning Europe At Large biking tours, Europe At Large walking and hiking tours and Europe At Large multisport tours.
