Alte Donau Loop: Vienna's Calm Lakeside Ride

The loop hugs the quiet shores of the Old Danube, switching between paved waterside paths and calm residential lanes with almost no climbing.

Because it is flat and mostly car-free, it is a gentle ride you can comfortably finish in under an hour, even with young children.

You will pass the Gänsehäufel and Angelibad lidos, swaying reed banks and small marinas dotted with sailing boats and pedal boats.

Lakeside restaurants and Heurigen-style terraces line parts of the shore, perfect for an ice cream or a long lunch by the water.

Come on a warm summer day to combine the loop with a swim; bring a lock so you can stop at a lido or boat rental.

The U1 underground stops right by the lake, so you can reach the start quickly and skip busy city traffic entirely.