The best gravel rides around Kapelln

a beautiful view over the Danube

A bike trip to the government district of St. Pölten is definitely worthwhile. This modern district lies directly on the Traisen River and is easily accessible via the Traisental Cycle Path. Between the Landhaus (state government building), the Festspielhaus (festival hall), the Museum Niederösterreich (Museum of Lower Austria), and the striking Klangturm (sound tower), the largely car-free area can be comfortably explored by bicycle. Wide paths, plenty of greenery, and good cycle connections make the government district a pleasant stopover or starting point for further tours along the Traisen or towards the Danube.

The bridge over the Melk River, just before its confluence with the Danube, offers outstanding views of the river, its estuary, and the surrounding landscape. Melk Abbey, a Benedictine monastery of outstanding historical and cultural significance, rises within sight. Founded in the 11th century, it received its present Baroque appearance in the 18th century under the direction of Jakob Prandtauer. The abbey impresses with its magnificent library, ornate state rooms, and the Baroque abbey church with its striking onion domes and magnificent frescoes. As part of the Wachau UNESCO World Heritage Site, the abbey attracts numerous visitors every year and, together with the view from the bridge, forms a particularly impressive panorama of the region.

At this point, you cross the idyllic Perschling stream. The view of the stream and the surrounding area is magnificent.

The Oberndorfer Steg is a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Traisen River near Ratzersdorf, south of Oberndorf. It connects the two banks of the Traisen Valley Cycle Path and is a popular stop for cyclists traveling along the Traisen River. Surrounded by floodplain forest and tranquil riverside scenery, the bridge not only offers a convenient crossing but also a beautiful view of the unspoiled Traisen River. The crossing is particularly ideal for mountain bikers, allowing them to switch between the riverside paths or extend their tour through Ratzersdorf, Wagram, and the Traisen Valley. The area around the bridge is inviting and is part of one of the most attractive local recreation areas around St. Pölten.

The St. Andrä Footbridge over the Traisen River was rebuilt in 2022 after the old wooden bridge had to be demolished due to flood damage and safety deficiencies. The new bridge is an elegant, approximately three-meter-wide single-span bridge without intermediate piers in the riverbed and now directly connects the districts of St. Andrä and Herzogenburg. The bridge is equally suitable for pedestrians and cyclists and forms an important section of the local cycle path network. The footbridge is particularly important for cyclists, as it offers direct access to the Traisen Valley Cycle Route and, subsequently, to the Danube Cycle Path. The crossing also provides a scenic connection to the Traisen-Danube Circular Tour, an approximately 18-kilometer route that leads through quiet towns such as Hameten and Sitzenberg to the Altenwörth power plant. The route is mostly flat, paved, and family-friendly. A rest area has been created at the northern end of the bridge, featuring a drinking fountain, seating, a bicycle service station, and a small pergola for relaxing. From here, there is an unobstructed view upstream into the natural floodplain landscape of the Traisen River, with its mature trees, meadows, and tranquil watercourse. The new bridge thus not only connects two banks but also creates an attractive place for local recreation, exercise, and enjoying nature—whether on foot or by bike.

A really beautiful cycle path along the Traisen

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