The Danube through Upper Austria: Passau to Melk
The Schlögen loop, Linz and its hill church, Bruckner’s abbey, the Mauthausen memorial and the wooded Strudengau to Melk.
- Distance
- 198 km (123 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 44 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- Germany, Austria
- Updated
- July 27, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 198 km (123 mi) with 9 stops, from Passau to Melk. About 2 h 44 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Germany, Austria · More road trips from Passau
Route description
Leave Passau east along the south bank of the Danube on the B130, a quiet riverside road past Engelhartszell with its Trappist abbey. After about 40 km you reach Schlögen, where the river turns back on itself in a tight loop. Park by the river and walk up to the Schlögener Blick viewpoint. In season, small passenger ferries for walkers and cyclists cross the river at the loop.
Continue downriver to Linz, about 50 km, a city of steel, music and new museums on both banks. The Pöstlingberg tram climbs to a pilgrimage church with a view over the city. South of Linz, St. Florian Abbey is a large baroque monastery where the composer Anton Bruckner is buried beneath the organ he played. Guided tours run several times a day.
East of Linz, the Mauthausen Memorial stands on a hill above the Danube. The camp held about 190,000 prisoners, and around half of them died. Entry is free, and the exhibitions and the granite quarry with its Stairs of Death need at least two hours. Then follow the B3 along the north bank into the Strudengau, where the river narrows between wooded hills to the small town of Grein.
From Grein the B3 continues past the Persenbeug power station to Maria Taferl, whose baroque church looks out over the valley. Cross the river to Melk, about 45 km from Grein. Its golden abbey on the rock is the gateway to the Wachau. The B3 and B130 are toll-free and fine for motorhomes. The Danube Cycle Path follows the whole route and is busy from May to September.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Passau
Germany - 244 km
Schlögen Danube loop viewpoint
ViewsHaibach ob der Donau, AustriaThe famous U-bend of the Danube seen from the Schlögener Blick above the river. Park in Schlögen and walk up the signed forest path, allowing about 40 minutes.
- 341 km
Linz
Austria - 43 km
Pöstlingberg
ViewsLinz, AustriaA hill above Linz crowned by a twin-towered pilgrimage church, with views over the city and the Danube. Take the historic Pöstlingberg tram from the main square or drive up to the paid car park.
- 519 km
St. Florian Abbey
HistorySt. Florian, AustriaA baroque Augustinian abbey south of Linz where Anton Bruckner was organist and is buried beneath his great organ. Guided tours show the library, the imperial rooms and the crypt.
- 613 km
Mauthausen Memorial
HistoryMauthausen, AustriaThe former Nazi concentration camp on a hill above the Danube, now a memorial and museum. Entry is free; allow at least two hours and visit the granite quarry with its Stairs of Death.
- 733 km
Grein
Austria - 828 km
Maria Taferl Basilica
HistoryMaria Taferl, AustriaA baroque pilgrimage church on a terrace high above the north bank of the Danube, with views to the Alps on clear days. Signed from the B3; parking below the church.
- 916 km
Melk
Austria
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Passau → Schlögen Danube loop viewpoint · 44 km · 0 h 36 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping Pumberger (< 1 km); Camping Schlögen (< 1 km).
- Day 2: Schlögen Danube loop viewpoint → St. Florian Abbey · 64 km · 0 h 53 minOn the way: Linz, Pöstlingberg.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Ausee für Mobilheime und Caravans (5 km); Zeltplatz Ausee (5 km).
- Day 3: St. Florian Abbey → Grein · 46 km · 0 h 38 minOn the way: Mauthausen Memorial.Overnight nearby, for example: Donau Camping Grein (< 1 km); Ardagger Markt (6 km).
- Day 4: Grein → Melk · 44 km · 0 h 37 minOn the way: Maria Taferl Basilica.Overnight nearby, for example: Campingplatz Melk (< 1 km); Donau Camping Emmersdorf (2 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Germany: No motorway tolls for cars. No general motorway speed limit (130 km/h advised) and no tolls for cars.
- Austria: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t need a GO-Box for distance-based tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is The Danube through Upper Austria: Passau to Melk?
4-day road trip of about 198 km (123 mi) with 9 stops, from Passau to Melk. About 2 h 44 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for The Danube through Upper Austria: Passau to Melk?
We suggest 4 days: about 2 h 44 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does The Danube through Upper Austria: Passau to Melk start and end?
It starts in Passau and ends in Melk.
Which countries does The Danube through Upper Austria: Passau to Melk pass through?
Germany and Austria.
Where can you camp along The Danube through Upper Austria: Passau to Melk?
OpenStreetMap lists 62 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Zeltplatz Passau, Camping Pumberger and Hofmühle.
When is the best time for The Danube through Upper Austria: Passau to Melk?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
