Römerradweg

The Römerradweg offers a fascinating journey through Roman history, stretching from the three-river city of Passau to Austria's oldest city, Enns. This family-friendly route combines gentle cycling with rich cultural discoveries, making it perfect for history enthusiasts and families seeking an educational adventure. The route follows rivers and well-maintained paths through Bavaria and Upper Austria, connecting ancient Roman settlements, museums, and archaeological sites that bring 2,000 years of history to life.

Essential Route Information

Difficulty level: Medium (suitable for all ages and bike types)
Elevation profile: Gentle rolling terrain with minimal elevation changes
Surface types: Predominantly asphalt with some well-maintained gravel sections
Route type: Dedicated cycle paths and quiet country roads
Recommended direction: Passau to Enns
Recommended bike: All bike types suitable, ideal for touring and family bikes
Route marking: R6 (clear signposting throughout)
Certification: Part of the Austrian quality cycling network

Route Marking & Navigation

The Römerradweg follows clear R6 signposting throughout its length, making navigation straightforward for cyclists of all experience levels. The route is well-marked with distinctive Roman-themed signs that not only guide your way but also indicate points of historical interest. Information boards positioned along the route provide fascinating insights into Roman daily life, gods, and customs, enhancing your understanding of the ancient civilization that once thrived in these lands. The signposting remains consistent across both the Bavarian and Austrian sections, though cyclists should pay attention when crossing the border at Ering where the route transitions from German to Austrian waymarking standards.

Best Direction & Season

The recommended direction from Passau to Enns follows the natural flow of the landscape and provides the most logical progression through Roman history. Starting in Passau allows cyclists to begin their journey at the confluence of three rivers, where Roman traders once gathered, before following ancient trade routes eastward.

Late spring to early autumn (May through September) offers the best cycling conditions
Summer months provide extended daylight for exploring museums and archaeological sites
Early autumn delivers pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds at major attractions

Main Stages & Highlights

Passau to Kirchham (42.3km)
Begin your Roman adventure in the baroque three-river city where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz converge. The route follows dedicated cycle paths along the Inn River, passing through charming Bavarian countryside. This opening stage sets the historical tone with gentle terrain ideal for warming up.

Kirchham to Kirchheim im Innkreis (38.9km)
Cross into Austria at Ering, where the landscape opens into the fertile Innviertel region. Visit the remarkable Römermuseum Altheim, which showcases Roman agricultural techniques and daily life through exclusively regional finds. The museum offers special activities for children, including Roman dress-up opportunities.

Kirchheim im Innkreis to Frankenmarkt (40.3km)
This stage introduces more varied terrain as you head toward the Salzkammergut region. Pass through Waldzell, home to a statue of ski jumper Andreas Goldberger, and enjoy optional detours to Aspach with its Kneipp facilities and sculpture trail, or venture into the KTM-Kobernaußerwald-MTB-Arena for mountain biking enthusiasts.

Frankenmarkt to Vöcklabruck via Attersee (65.3km)
The longest and most scenic stage leads to Austria's largest inland lake. The Attersee section offers breathtaking Alpine panoramas and connections to the Gustav Klimt themed trail, celebrating the artist's summer retreats here. Lake activities include boat trips and swimming opportunities before continuing to the historic town of Vöcklabruck.

Vöcklabruck to Wels (59.6km)
Journey through the valleys of the Vöckla, Ager, and Traun rivers, with a significant stop in Lambach. The Benedictine Abbey Lambach provides a cultural highlight with its library and frescoes, while nearby attractions include the Tempus Museum for Archaeology and a reconstructed Roman villa rustica in Bad Wimsbach.

Wels to Enns (55.3km)
The final stage follows the Traun River through industrial and natural landscapes to reach the historic terminus. St. Florian's famous Augustinian monastery marks a cultural pinnacle before the gentle descent to Enns, where the impressive city tower welcomes cyclists to Austria's oldest city.

Key Attractions Along the Route

The Römerradweg connects an exceptional collection of Roman heritage sites and cultural attractions that illuminate life along the ancient frontier.

Major Roman Sites

Römermuseum Kastell Boiotro in Passau - artifacts from the frontier garrison
Römermuseum Altheim - comprehensive agricultural and domestic life exhibits with interactive children's areas
Roman villa remains in Weyregg am Attersee - luxury villa with preserved mosaic floors
Villa Rustica in Bad Wimsbach - reconstructed Roman farmstead showing rural life
Museum Lauriacum in Enns - former legionary fortress for 6,000 soldiers
Römerkastell Schlögen - fortress and military harbor ruins with modern visualization
Römerburgus Oberranna - best-preserved Roman fortification in Upper Austria

Cultural and Natural Highlights

Attersee boat excursions and Gustav Klimt themed trail
Benedictine Abbey Lambach with historic library and frescoes
St. Florian Augustinian monastery
"Heroes of Roman Times" augmented reality app experience in Wels
Daringer sculptor family trail and museum in Aspach
Observatory tower at Lichtenberg for panoramic views

Culinary Highlights

The Römerradweg passes through regions renowned for their agricultural heritage, much of which dates back to Roman innovations in farming and food production. The Innviertel has been known as "Upper Austria's breadbasket" since Roman times, and local specialties reflect this rich agricultural tradition.

Innviertel grain-based dishes and artisanal breads following ancient techniques
Fresh lake fish from Attersee - particularly char and whitefish
Traditional Austrian pastries and cakes at lakeside cafés
Local honey and bee products from the Bienenhof Attersee
Artisanal chocolate from Frucht & Sinne Schokoladenmanufaktur in Frankenmarkt
Regional wines and schnapps from family distilleries
Farm-fresh produce from roadside stands and farmers' markets

Accommodation Options

The Römerradweg benefits from excellent accommodation infrastructure designed with cyclists in mind. Bett+Bike certified establishments along the route provide specialized services for touring cyclists, ensuring secure bike storage, drying facilities, and hearty breakfasts to fuel your historical explorations.

Bett+Bike certified hotels and guesthouses with cyclist-specific amenities
Traditional Austrian gasthofs offering regional cuisine and local hospitality
Lakeside accommodations near Attersee with swimming and water sports access
City hotels in Passau, Wels, and Enns for urban cultural experiences
Rural farmstays providing authentic countryside experiences
Youth hostels and budget options in major towns along the route

Access & Transportation

Getting There
Passau serves as an excellent starting point with direct train connections from major German and Austrian cities. The city's position at the confluence of three rivers made it a natural Roman settlement and continues to provide excellent transport links today. Regional trains connect Passau to Munich, Salzburg, and Vienna, while local buses serve smaller communities along the route.

Getting Back
Enns offers convenient rail connections back to starting points or onward destinations. The town's position on the Westbahn main line provides direct services to Linz, Salzburg, and Vienna. Cyclists can also connect to the Danube Cycle Path for alternative return routes or continue their Austrian cycling adventure. Bike transport on trains is generally well-accommodated with advance booking recommended during peak season.

Practical Considerations

The Römerradweg is designed as a low-stress cycling experience suitable for families and casual cyclists, though some practical considerations enhance the journey. Rest areas positioned at regular intervals provide places to absorb the historical information presented on interpretive panels throughout the route.

Essential services and facilities:

Dedicated rest areas with Roman-themed information boards at regular intervals
Bike shops and repair services in all major towns
Public restrooms and water fountains in municipalities
Tourist information centers in Passau, Attersee, Wels, and Enns
Emergency services accessible via standard European emergency numbers
ATMs and grocery stores in most communities along the route

Weather considerations favor the warmer months, though the route's generally protected nature along river valleys provides some shelter from prevailing winds. The predominantly flat terrain makes cycling manageable even in less-than-perfect conditions.

Final Tips

The Römerradweg offers a unique opportunity to combine gentle cycling with immersive historical education, making it an ideal choice for multi-generational groups and history enthusiasts. Plan extra time for museum visits and archaeological sites - the wealth of Roman heritage along the route deserves more than passing attention. Consider downloading the "Heroes of Roman Times" app before reaching Wels for an enhanced augmented reality experience.

The route's connections to other major Austrian cycle paths open possibilities for extended adventures. The Danube Cycle Path provides natural extensions in both directions, while the Inn Cycle Path offers alternative routing options. For those inspired by the Alpine scenery around Attersee, the Salzkammergut Cycle Path beckons with additional lake-hopping opportunities through Austria's most scenic region.