Imagine a road, where traffic is rare, where birds sing, trees hang down to give shade and crops are quietly growing as far as the eye can see.
Then think of the news: “monstrous” queues for the Eiffel Tower, hours of waiting to cross the English Channel, traffic in huge jams all across Europe, flights delayed and airports stuffed with frustrated travellers, Spanish life guards on strike and no-one can go in the sea – despite temperatures above 40oC.
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| Bike routes are clearly signposted |
Even at the height of holiday season madness, there are places where riding a bike can be done in peace and solitude.
The R1 route along the Danube from the German border at Passau to Vienna is Austria’s cycle autobahn. About 40,000 make the trip each year – most at the height of summer. Lonely it isn’t.
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| Good roads where traffic is rare |
But much of the route is in Upper Austria (Oberösterreich) which has a huge network of bike routes and good maps to guide the rider. The routes are exceptionally well signposted and lead through peaceful, rural countryside. Many of them spring from the Danube so if you are unhappy about dodging the many long, wobbly chains of unaccustomed riders, take a route to the left or right.
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| This is vegetable country |
The R17, for example runs for 67km southwards along the Trattnach, an insignificant stream passing the towns of Eferding and Grieskirchen, leading deep into the countryside. The trail follows the valley so there are no significant ups or downs. Mostly it is on small country lanes with next to no traffic.
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| Huge, beautifully-maintained farmhouses dot the landscape |
As well as 31 of these mapped and indicated routes, there are a number of linking routes, equally well signposted which take riders from one main route to another. With a good map, there are hundreds more tiny lanes to explore and find cycling peace.
And what is to be seen along the way? Huge and beautifully maintained farm buildings, crops of all sorts - the area around Eferding is famous for its vegetables – small villages with lovely churches, and tiny roadside chapels. What more could you want?
Also in this blog:
Muhlviertel – rolling round the border August 2015
Enns Radweg . never again, and again August /2017
Maps and information:
