Austria. Media News.

Dear friends of Austria and fellow travelers,

Spring has arrived, and it puts us in the mood for some outdoor exploration. So in this edition of our Media News, we'll introduce you to four of Austria's most popular bike trails. From the mighty Danube to the scenic Salzburg Lake District, bikes and e-bikes are the ideal mode of transportation if you want to go where the tour busses do not. We also celebrate one of Vienna's most famous attractions, the Giant Ferris Wheel, which was built 125 years ago and is still an integral part of Vienna's skyline.

With warmest regards,
Sigrid Pichler

Manager of Public Relations
Austrian Tourist Office New York City
sigrid.pichler@austria.info
tel 212 575 7723 x 119

www.austria.info 

Like St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Giant Ferris Wheel is one of Vienna’s iconic landmarks. This year, it celebrates its 125th anniversary.

The Rolls-Royce of ferris wheels, the Giant Ferris Wheel in Vienna is the oldest of its kind in the world. It was originally built in 1897 to mark the 50th anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph's accession to the throne and is located right at the entrance of the Wurstelprater amusement park.

Its distinctive design with the iconic red cabins has earned it a “lead-role” in several Hollywood movies. From the classic “The Third Man” to Linklater’s “Before Sunrise,” its star-turns have prompted the European Film Academy to include the Giant Ferris Wheel in the list of Treasures of European Film Culture in June 2016.

Visitors can study the colorful history of the Giant Ferris Wheel and the city of Vienna itself in an exhibition staged in eight cabins right at the entrance. The real attraction is the Ferris wheel itself and the stunning views it affords over Vienna and surroundings. Long opening times allow for especially romantic sunset rides. Individual cabins can be booked for weddings and special events.

To celebrate the anniversary, a special viewing platform - Plattform No. 9 - will be installed. It will offer a particularly spectacular experience with a see-through glass floor, affording guests a view which has so far only been enjoyed by those working on the construction of the Giant Ferris Wheel 125 years ago.

Two wheels are better than four when it comes to discovering Austria’s charming villages, idyllic landscapes and vibrant cities. Why? A dense network of bike baths and bike trails proves that (e-)biking is a way of life in Austria.

When exploring by bike, you set your own pace, enjoy access to areas you cannot reach by car and connect with other bike enthusiasts - locals and travelers alike. Especially in mountainous terrain, e-bikes are rapidly gaining popularity. Even skeptics are converted once they discover how much e-bikes extend your range while still giving you quite a workout, allowing you to discover scenic locations that would otherwise be beyond your reach.

Below, find four of the most popular bike routes in Austria:

Because of its low difficulty level, its scenic beauty and its many cultural attractions, the Danube Bike Trail is an all-time favorite with travelers from all over the world. Start in Passau and wind your way along the majestic Danube river, explore the cutting-edge museums in Linz, revel in the Baroque splendor of Melk Abbey, wine and dine your way through the charming Wachau Valley. In Vienna, an extensive network of bike paths lets you explore the entire city from the storied Old Town to the vineyards of Grinzing and Heiligenstadt, and as far as day trips to the Neusiedler See and Burgenland’s northern wine regions.

The Salzkammergut or Salzburg Lake District is one of Austria’s most beloved regions, known for its scenic beauty (at the foothills of the Alps, with 13 Alpine lakes on the route), its love for traditions (look for historic farm houses, traditional costumes and numerous country fairs and festivals) and its cultural offerings (Salzburg Festival, Mozart Festival, Hallstatt…). With a difficulty level from easy to moderate, the Salzkammergut Lake District Tour is suitable for families as well.

The Tauern Bike Trail is an exciting bike route that leads from Krimml to Passau (Germany) along such spectacular natural attractions as the Krimml Waterfalls, the Liechtenstein Gorge and Hohe Tauern National Park. The trail leads mostly downhill and offers two alternative routes, one along the Salzach river and through Zell am See with a chance to visit the world's largest ice caves in Werfen, or the salt mines in Hallein. The other trail runs via Germany along the Saalach river, leading through idyllic villages such as Maria Alm and Lofer and taking a short cut through Bavaria (Germany) into Salzburg. From Salzburg the bike trail will lead north through Oberndorf (of Silent Night chapel fame) to the German border town of Passau where you may connect and continue to the Danube bike trail towards Vienna.

The Vorarlberg Trail and Bodensee Lake Loop is a unique experience which takes you from incredibly scenic High-Alpine surroundings to the flat terrain surrounding spectacular Lake Constance. On your way around the lake, you’ll pass through three countries (Austria, Germany, and Switzerland) and can explore the surprisingly different cultures that harmoniously coexist in this relatively small region. Cultural attractions abound, from castles to world-renowned music festivals. Even chocolate lovers will get their fill on this exciting tour through Austria’s westernmost region.

The beauty of all of these routes is that you can take as much or as little time to complete them as you like. Take time to hike or swim, stop by a local inn or enjoy a five-course meal at one of Austria’s gourmet restaurants (a surprising number of which can be found along the bike routes through SalzburgerLand and along the Danube). Take detours to add special cultural attractions to your itinerary. 

If we have piqued your interest, check out the self-guided (e-)bike tours on offer by Bike Tours Direct.