Czech Republic & Austria Biking
- Discover two intriguing countries and cultures in one trip
- Bike along the fabled Danube River and through Wachau Valley vineyards
- Český Krumlov, a 13th-century Bohemian town with cobbled lanes and red-tile roofs
- Trace intriguing Czech history with Helena, our friend and local historian
- Austria's picture-perfect villages with onion-shaped church steeples
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From Prague to Vienna via Cesky Krumlov & the Danube
Prague. It’s captivating. It’s a trove of sumptuous architecture. And it’s only the start of your trip. Trace the gentle contours of the Bohemian landscape on two wheels. Absorb firsthand accounts of the Communist era. And delve into enchanting cities including Tábor and Český Krumlov, a fairy-tale town with a medieval castle looming overhead and a warren of cobblestone streets. Roam through Austria’s Wachau Valley wine region and stop in at a heuriger. Even find the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. There’s so much to discover in the Czech Republic and Austria. Explore with us.
Day 1 Tábor, a 15th-century enclave, sits atop a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside 
Stroll the cobbled streets of its lovely Old Town, lined with colorful homes, open-air cafés and artisan vendors 
A clever maze of tunnels lies below the streets, which in times of danger were used to shelter its citizens.
Days 2-3 Český Krumlov, a charming medieval town with labyrinthine lanes and red-tile roofs, where most of the buildings are designated cultural monuments Pedal across the hills of Bohemia, through tranquil farmland and Holašovice, an impeccably preserved World Heritage-site village In Český Krumlov, behold views of ornate 13th-century Krumlov Hrad, the second-largest castle in the Czech Republic Dive into Czech history with Helena, our local friend and historian, during an informal Q&A Ride a wide tree-lined road into the pastoral landscape, passing lush meadows and homesteads seemingly untouched by time.
Days 4-5 Discover two intriguing countries and cultures in one trip Czech treasures make way for Austria’s beautiful Waldviertel, draped in forests and rolling fields of barley and wheat - a great place to pedal Bike along the fabled Danube River and through Wachau Valley vineyards Visit Melk, whose magnificent Baroque abbey is perched high on a rocky promontory A local oenologist invites us over for a private estate tour and tasting of famous rieslings and grüner veltliners.
Day 6 Austria's picture-perfect villages with onion-shaped church steeples Soak in the view from Dürnstein’s castle ruins, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
Best trip so far! When we were dropped off in Vienna and left to our own resources for the weekend, we kept thinking, "Ok, what would Backroads do?" We LOVE Backroads! You're the best and you have got it all figured out. We don't want to travel any other way, ever again! We want to see the world with Backroads! Can't wait for our next trip! Thank you!!- Marshfield, MA
This was our fifth Backroads trip. Before Backroads we tried one trip with a more expensive bike trip company and one with a cheaper one. Neither were worth the extra money or the savings. Backroads is the perfect blend of excellent routes, activities, hotels and fine meals. And the best distinction is the superb leadership. We have had ten leaders, all of them 10s. They are genuinely friendly, efficient, helpful and most capable of smoothing out the occasional travel blip.- Birmingham, MI
This was another excellent Backroads trip and measured up to what we have come to expect based on our prior trips. The leaders continue to have no peer when it comes to client care - not only are they fun to be with, but they are well organized and dedicated to making it fun for the guests. The exposure to local cultural and historial resources and cities provides a learning enrichment that we appreciate.- Golden, CO
Premiere & Casual Inns*
Hotel Nautilus
Tábor (1 night) Set on medieval Tábor's main square, this hotel features guest rooms decorated with original artwork, antique furniture and ancient fossils. (spa)
* Casual Inn
Hotel Ruze
Český Krumlov (2 nights) A former Jesuit monastery from the 16th century, with a perfect location in the town’s center. (pool, spa)
* Casual Inn
Hotel Schloss Dürnstein
Dürnstein (2 nights) A "stately castle-hotel on a fortified promontory at a scenic bend of the Danube River," according to Andrew Harper. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool)
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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
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- 21 miles
- 1300 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 5 5 Route Options Available
- 15, 24, 40, 44, 65 miles
- 620 - 2900 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 4 Route Options Available
- 8, 13, 28, 51 miles
- 310 - 2070 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 3 4 Route Options Available
- 18, 32, 37, 40 miles
- 260 - 2670 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- 23, 41, 47, 52 miles
- 80 - 3040 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 14 miles
- 180 feet elevation gain
- or Hiking 1.5 miles
- 0 - 500 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.
