Lake Neusiedl Cycling Tour
Explore Vienna’s Ringstrasse with its famous State Opera House, City Hall, and Parliament
Taste world-famous wines of the Burgenland
Discover Neusiedler See National Park with its unique salt lakes
Climb an observation tower and spot birds and storks in their natural habitat
Cycle over the border to Hungary and inspect the old town of Sopron
Visit Bratislava Devin Castle and enjoy the panoramic views of the city and the Danube River
Itinerary
Your trip will begin in Vienna, Austria’s imperial city, perfect for cycle touring. You can take the opportunity to ride along the famous Ringstrasse, lined with grand landmarks like the State Opera, Parliament, Burgtheater, City Hall, and the historic Hofburg Palace. You can visit the iconic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and discover the charming alleyways of Old Vienna, where history and culture come alive.
Hotel in Vienna
You will follow a scenic path from Vienna to Schönbrunn Palace, one of Austria’s most significant Baroque landmarks. Its expansive gardens and grand architecture reflect the evolving tastes and ambitions of the Habsburg imperial dynasty. Further, you will continue the ride to Baden, a historic spa town where Beethoven completed his Ninth Symphony. Its highlights include the famous Casino Baden, the elegant Roman spa, and the 1926 Art Deco thermal baths.
35 km and 320 m of elevation gain / 260 m of elevation loss
Hotel in Baden bei Wien
Leaving Baden, you will cycle into a strikingly different landscape. At the foothills of the Leithagebirge, the Great Hungarian Plain begins, creating a unique atmosphere near Europe’s westernmost steppe, Lake Neusiedl. On the way, you can visit Eisenstadt Castle or the Roman stone quarry in St. Margarethen. Today’s adventure will wrap up in the charming town of Rust, a perfect stop to experience the local culture and Burgenland’s world-famous wines.
60 km and 400 m of elevation gain / 500 m of elevation loss
Hotel in Rust
Today’s ride will first lead you to the town of Mörbisch, known for its annual summer operetta festival on the scenic lake stage. The route will guide you through gentle vineyards toward the Hungarian border. Soon, you will reach Sopron, formerly known as Ödenburg, with its well-preserved old town and historic quarter around its fire tower. Following your adventure, you will return to Rust by passing the charming lake system of Fertő-Hanság National Park.
50 km and 420 m of elevation gain / 420 m of elevation loss
Hotel in Rust
Today, you will take a ferry to Illmitz and explore the Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel National Park, a flat landscape ideal for birdwatching. The region between Podersdorf, Illmitz, and Apetlon is known for its high-quality wines, including the renowned Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA). The area is covered with salt lakes called Lacken, which are about 50 cm deep. Unique salt lakes, wetlands, pastures, and vineyards will lead you to Neusiedl am See, where you will complete today’s exploration.
50 km and 80 m of elevation gain / 80 m of elevation loss
Hotel in Neusiedl
You can enjoy a relaxing day with plenty of leisure activities at Lake Neusiedl. The area is perfect for sailing, windsurfing, swimming, or stand-up paddleboarding. However, the Kirschblütenweg cycle path is also worth doing, offering a scenic ride through orchards and vineyards. On the way, you can stop at taverns called Buschenschenken, where local winemakers serve their new wine under a special license.
50 km and 320 m of elevation gain / 330 m of elevation loss
Hotel in Neusiedl
Today’s journey will guide you through Rohrau, the birthplace of composers Joseph and Michael Haydn, before reaching Petronell, where ancient trade routes once crossed. The impressive Heidentor, a massive Roman triumphal arch, is the town’s highlight. Further, you will continue to Hainburg, a historic Danube town, where you can take a stroll through its old town. You will conclude your trip across the border, in Bratislava, which offers an impressive display of Slovak culture.
55 km and 210 m of elevation gain / 190 m of elevation loss
Hotel in Bratislava
On your last day, you can explore Bratislava’s charming old town, where landmarks like St. Martin’s Cathedral, the Main Square, and Michael’s Gate showcase the city’s rich history. You can visit Bratislava Devin Castle, a landmark of the Slovakian capital, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Danube. To round up your journey, we recommend you try Bratislavské Rožky, crescent-shaped pastries filled with poppy seeds, a local delicacy with protected geographical status.
Self guided
Included in price
Optional Extras
Description
The Lake Neusiedl Cycling Tour follows a diverse 8-day route through the landscapes of the border triangle between Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia.
Each day, you will cycle approximately 50 kilometers, experiencing everything from the vibrant city of Vienna to the tranquil beauty of the Austrian countryside, even crossing the borders into Hungary and Slovakia.
Lake Neusiedl is Europe’s westernmost steppe lake. With its warm, shallow waters, it will invite you for a refreshing swim, as you will spend several days cycling along its scenic shores.
Keep an eye out for the iconic storks, a beloved symbol of the region!
Just at the foothills of the Leithagebirge mountains, the Great Hungarian Plain starts. The landscape of the Neusiedler region will unfold in front of you with lush orchards, expansive vineyards, and shimmering salt lakes, offering a constantly changing backdrop.
Daily excursions to Sopron in Hungary and Bratislava in Slovakia add an international touch, rounding off this diverse cycling adventure. You will get a special chance to experience and compare three cultures, each unique in its own way but still influencing and shaping one another.
The route terrain is mostly flat, except for a few hilly vineyards. You will predominantly cycle upon asphalted and well-beaten gravel cycle paths. They are all in good condition due to constant maintenance.
Thoughtfully planned for an easygoing journey, this tour features a well-mapped route with clear GPS directions, pre-booked accommodations, hassle-free luggage transfers, and our dependable customer support, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Location
Things to know
Self-guided cycling tours provide a personalized and flexible approach to cycling holidays, allowing you to explore at your own pace and adapt your route or schedule as you see fit. With our team taking care of all logistics such as accommodations, detailed itineraries, GPS routes, and 24/7 support, you can enjoy a stress-free, immersive experience that offers independence, customization, and authentic encounters with local culture.
Our tours are described by the next difficulty levels: Leisurely, moderate, or challenging.
A tour can have harder and easier days, so our rating represents the difficulty of an average tour day. For now, all our tours are rated either leisurely or moderate, so the challenging category doesn’t yet apply.
Leisurely means that the tours mostly take part on flat and paved cycling paths, asphalt roads, or easy-going gravel tracks. They are suitable for everyone.
Moderate means that the tours may have some uphill climbs or feature some technically more demanding terrain. If you are of average fitness, these are all doable.
Challenging means that the tour days either feature long distances and many climbs or are done on technical terrain; Possibly on some downhill sections where skill with a mountain bike is required.
We continuously strive to find the perfect fit for you. We work with multiple accommodation providers that meet our standards, but their availability can vary, especially during peak season. We can also tailor your holiday according to your preferences and budget, ensuring we find the most suitable solution for your taste.
We recommend booking as early as possible. Many of our tours pass through popular tourist destinations where accommodation options are limited. The best choices often get booked for summer before spring arrives.
The ease of accommodating dietary restrictions depends on their severity. Vegetarian options are fairly common in Austria, but vegan dishes can be challenging to find in rural areas or smaller towns. Please note that lunch stops are often at traditional establishments that may struggle to cater to special requests outside of their standard menu. Keep this in mind during your trip.
Most tours can proceed even in light rain, provided you dress appropriately. Summer afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon in the peak months of summer, so early starts are recommended. If the weather appears to be particularly unfavorable, we can try to adjust the tour beforehand.