Compare The Heart of Austria by Ryder-Walker Alpine Adventures vs Cycle Prague to Vienna by Intrepid Travel
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 4,720 | $ 2,452 |
| Price Per Day | $ 590 | $ 307 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
Breakfast and Dinner provided Daily |
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| Description |
From Ryder-Walker Alpine Adventures National Geographic named Ryder-Walker Alpine Adventures one of the “Top Ten Best Outfitters on the Planet” for hiking and trekking. Telluride Magazine named us “Telluride’s Ultimate Adventure Company,” and we’ve received numerous mentions in the New York Times, USA Today, the Washington Post and Outside Magazine, just to name a few. Please note just a few of the reasons why the media trusts us with avid hikers and walkers, and why you should too. Trekking Specialists. Founded in 1984, we've spent 35 years designing, customizing, and fine tuning innovative inn-to-inn hiking and walking adventures throughout the world. Three decades of specialized service gives us an edge over our competitors. We offer guided, private-guided, and self-guided hiking tours that explore the most beautiful landscapes found anywhere on the planet. Handcrafted itineraries. We can offer anything you like. Just tell us where you’d like to hike in the world, what you’d like to see, and how you’d like to bed down for the night. We’ll do the rest. Our longest custom trip so far is a 54-day self-guided hike from the Italian Tyrol to the French Alps. Would you like to organize your own private hiking tour? That’s our specialty. We’ll help you and your group design a delicious itinerary. First-class accommodations. From cozy wood-paneled chalets, to grand, old world hotels, we seek the inns that exemplify the character of each village and the charm of days gone by. From well appointed luxury hotels, to remote mountain huts, we know each property personally. Inspired cuisine. Cuisine is paramount and we enjoy inns offering the best in regional and haute cuisine with inspired menus and a fascinating array of local wines and beverages. Many of our chefs enjoy the highest culinary rankings awarded by the Gault Millau and Michelin restaurant guides. Two of our closest colleagues have repeatedly enjoyed Switzerland's "Chef of the Year" distinction. Meticulous detail. We take care of everything, from luggage transfer to taxis. You simply hike with a day pack and leave your "real world" cares behind. But don’t just take our word for it. Read what our guests have to say. Better yet, join one of our hiking tours, and experience for yourself why more than half our guest list includes repeat travelers. *The Ryder-Walker Team consists of people that love the outdoors. When we're not out hiking, we spend our spare time skiing, snowboarding, climbing, cycling, paddling and more. Check out our affiliate companies to see where else we go, then join us as we explore the most stunning landscapes on the planet. |
Get your wheels moving on a cycling adventure through the Central European countryside, all the way from picturesque Prague to classic Vienna. This eight-day cycling trip meanders its way past medieval villages perched on the hillside and hugs the mighty Danube River. With delicious regional food, great wine, and a knowledgeable leader to guide you along the way, you’ll be seeing the best of the region with the wind blowing through your hair. |
Itinerary:
Day 1:
Arrive and transfer to Bad Goisern, a historic market and spa town recognized by UNESCO for its culture and rural treasures. Meet your guides for a warm welcome, a brief orientation and dinner. Overnight in a historic hotel surrounded by peaceful gardens.
Day 2:
Today we’ll climb through mountain pastures and enchanting forests before cresting at Goiserhütte with outstanding views of the distant Dachstein peaks and the Hallstattersee. Descend to the idyllic village of Gosau. Rugged and majestic mountains encircle the village, while rolling pastures and tranquil mountain lakes make the region feel like a fairy tale. It’s easy to understand why people chose to inhabit this picture perfect region more than 7,000 years ago.
Day 3:
Following a short transfer to Rußbach, we will hike the Gamsfeld, famous for having the best-preserved and varied fossil beds in the Alps. After a hearty and typical hut lunch, we return to Gosau.
Day 4:
Today's hike takes us from our hotel to the end of the valley to explore the area around Gosausee, the most famous lake of the region. We'll circumnavigate the lake and stop for a delicious lakeside lunch while enjoying views of the imposing Gosaukamm above. Return to your hotel in Gosau.
Day 5:
After a short transfer to the charming Rossalm, we hike beneath the Plassen and connect to Hallstatt. When we reach the salt mines high above Hallstatt, where workers have been excavating for the last 6000 years, we will hop on the funicular to take us into town.
Day 6:
Access the high karst terrain below the Hoher Dachstein with the Krippenstein cable car and traverse the stunning plateau to the Wiesberghaus hut for lunch. Along the way, we will come across impressive rock formations and panoramic views of the Dachstein Massif and the Hallstattersee. Return to Hallstatt via the same route.
Day 7:
On our last day we will cross the Hallstattersee by ferry and hike along the eastern lakeshore on the “Panoramaweg." If the weather permits, we will take a dip in the lake and stop for an Apfelstrudel before heading back to Bad Goisern.
Day 8:
We recommend a transfer to Salzburg for an extended 8 feast of culture and Austrian delights.
Day 1 Prague
Dobry den! Welcome to Prague. There is an important welcome meeting scheduled for 6 pm this evening, where you will meet your group leader and fellow travellers. With not much time spent in Prague, we recommend you spend at least a day or two to get to know this wonderful Bohemian city. With its Baroque buildings, cobblestoned streets and beer – oh so much beer – there’s something for every explorer. If you want to spend more time in Prague, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). After your important meeting, how about get a group of you together and head to one of the beer halls to get acquainted?
Day 2 Prague
This morning the cycling part of your adventure begins! Have a bike fitting then explore the fascinating street and lanes of Prague on a leader-led orientation ride. You’ll learn about the history of the city, plus have time to take in the Old Town square, looking up at the surrounding spires – there are a lot of spires – as well as the historic building besides the Vltava River. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this eclectic city at your leisure. Perhaps visit one of the many museums that dot the city, or wander the cobbled Charles Bridge in the evening when most of the tourist are long gone.
Day 3 Cesky Krumlov
Today is an early morning start, as you head to Ceske Budejovice by local transport (either vehicle or train depending on group size), taking around 2.5 hours. Once arrived, have a bike fitting and take a short ride (approximately 20 kilometres) around Budejovice and surrounds. If you have time, there’s the option to head on a brewery tour, as Cesky Budejovice (or Budweis in German) is the home of Budweiser! Learn the beer’s history and have the perfectly drawn brew in the onsite bar. This afternoon ride through the South Bohemian countryside from Ceske to Cesky – that is, Cesky Krumlov! Through picture-perfect rolling hills and weaving in and out of forest, you’ll cover around 35 kilometres cycling, with some undulations at points. Once arrived, you’ve got the rest of the afternoon at your leisure in this small medieval town. Take your bike or head on a hike up to see Krizova Hora, visit the State Castle, or just simply explore the weaving laneways of the town, all perched on the side of the Vltava River. If you want to check out the river more, why not book in on a canoe trip? Seeing the Czech countryside from the water gives you stunning views of the surrounding valleys.
Day 4 Kollmitzberg
Rise and shine, as it’s off for another day of cycling, leaving nice and early. Ride along the Vltava River from Cesky Krumlov through the countryside then over the plateau and down to the wooded shores of the beautiful Lipno Lake near the Czech-Austrian border. You’ll arrive at the small town of Lipno and Vltavou on the southern banks of the lake. After some time to look around, drive approximately 140 kilometres to Kollmitzberg. After two days in the saddle you deserve a relax at this secluded town. Why not get your group together and organise somewhere for dinner in nearby Ardagger – your group leader will know of a place to go.
Day 5 Melk
Get back on your bike and cycle alongside the mighty Danube River on a mostly flat course from Kollmitzberg to Melk (approximately 53 kilometres). You know you're getting close when you can see the towers and dome of the famed Melk Abbey high above the town. Once arrived, you could head on an optional tour of Melk Abbey, where you’ll discover the colourful Baroque structure perched on top of a rock overlooking the Danube, plus its parks and bastions.
Day 6 Herzogenburg
From Melk, cycle along the northern banks of the Danube – mostly on dedicated cycle paths – past small riverside towns and villages (and the occasional sand beach), and to the UNESCO-listed terraces of the Wachau vineyards, where wine has been produced since the Middle Ages. Riding up the steep hillsides is definitely a challenge, but there’s some stunning scenery to see along the way. Your final destination for today is Herzogenburg – a thriving town on a small tributary of the Danube. If you have time why not check out the imposing Herzogenburg Monastery before a hearty Austrian dinner.
Day 7 Vienna
Hop on your bike to ride back along the Danube cycle path all the way into Vienna, skirting the river’s southern banks. Today is the longest ride of the tour at around 70 kilometres/43 miles and is mostly slightly downhill. When you arrive in Vienna, be sure to relax and perhaps tuck into a well-earned coffee and sacher torte. Vienna is a classical hub of arts, culture and food, and a perfect place to hop off the bike and explore on foot. If you haven’t discussed it already, why not organise dinner in Vienna with your group tonight – it’s definitely cause for celebration.
Day 8 Vienna
With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave at any time. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to end! Vienna is a large place and full of interesting sights, so it is highly recommended that you spend another day or two in the city. If you wish to spend more time in Vienna, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
