01 - Overview
The Krems Valley Cycle Path (R10) follows the river Krems 57.6 kilometres downstream from Micheldorf in Upper Austria to the Traun valley at Ansfelden. With barely 100 metres of total climbing, 91 percent paved surface and the S4 train as a constant companion, it is a relaxed day ride through "monastery country": the Cistercian abbey of Schlierbach, the Benedictine monastery of Kremsmünster and the birthplace of Anton Bruckner frame the gently rolling journey through the Kremstal.
The Krems Valley Cycle Path is the spine of the Krems from the wooded hills south of Micheldorf to the bank of the Traun at Ansfelden. The ride begins at one of the most remarkable starting points on any Upper Austrian cycle route: Micheldorf in OÖ, the centuries-old centre of scythe production. The Upper Austrian Scythe Museum - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2014 - documents the craft heritage of over 400 years of scythe exports. Downvalley lies Kirchdorf an der Krems, the district capital, then the Cistercian abbey of Schlierbach, founded in 1355 as a convent and inhabited since 1620 by monks from Rein Abbey in Styria. The abbey stained-glass workshop (since 1884) collaborates with international artists; the dairy (since 1924) produces Schlierbacher Schlosskäse in fourteen varieties. The cultural centrepiece follows at Kremsmünster: the Benedictine monastery was founded in 777 by Duke Tassilo III - according to tradition in memory of his son Gunther, who died here in a boar-hunting accident. The monastery observatory, the "Mathematical Tower" (1748-1759), is regarded as Europe's first multi-storey museum building and remains scientifically active today. The Tassilo Chalice, Imperial Hall and library make a longer stop worthwhile. Bad Hall, the iodine brine spa with the EurothermenResort, lies about 4.5 km east of the route and makes a recommended side trip. The final section through Kematen and Neuhofen follows the river through the widening valley floor; at Nettingsdorf the cycle path runs alongside the railway to Ansfelden, where the route reaches the Traun valley and links to the Traun Cycle Path; the Krems itself only joins the Traun a few kilometres downstream at Linz-Ebelsberg. The Traun Cycle Path gives onward access to the Danube Cycle Path near Linz. At the northern terminus stands the Anton Bruckner Museum: in the composer's birthplace (4 September 1824), redesigned after the bicentenary expansion of 2024. Around 91 percent of the route is asphalted; the few gravel sections total under one kilometre. The entire valley stretch is paralleled by the S4 train - those who only want to ride the best half can board at Kremsmünster or Kirchdorf and roll downstream.
- Regions
- Upper Austria
- Start
- Micheldorf in Oberösterreich
- Finish
- Ansfelden
- Surface
- Paved · Compacted
- Network
- Regional
- Best season
- April - October
- Signposting
- fully signposted
- Families
- well suited
- Road-bike friendly
- Yes · Mostly pavedwell documented
91 % paved, longest unpaved stretch 618 m.
02 - Stages
4 stages · 58 km
01Micheldorf in Oberösterreich - Kirchdorf an der KremsMicheldorf in OÖ · Kremsdorf · Kirchdorf an der Krems10 km
The opening stage runs from the starting point at Kienberg in Micheldorf - home of the Upper Austrian Scythe Museum and centuries-long centre of scythe production - through Kremsdorf downstream to Kirchdorf an der Krems. The first short stretch climbs gently before the Krems sets the course and the path rolls easily downhill. In Kirchdorf the district capital offers its market square and a connection to the S4 train towards Linz.
- Ascent
- 40 m
- Descent
- 77 m
- Duration
- approx. 0.5-0.75 h
- Surface
- Paved
Surface (measured): paved
02Kirchdorf an der Krems - KremsmünsterKirchdorf an der Krems · Wartberg an der Krems · Schlierbach · Nußbach · Kremsmünster22 km
The longest and culturally richest stage passes through "monastery country." Via Wartberg an der Krems it reaches Schlierbach with its Cistercian abbey (founded 1355, resettled 1620): the stained-glass workshop and cheese dairy of the monastery are well worth a look. On past Nußbach lies the highlight of the whole route - Kremsmünster with the Benedictine monastery (777), whose observatory tower (1748-1759) is regarded as Europe's first multi-storey museum building. The Tassilo Chalice and Imperial Hall reward a longer stop.
- Ascent
- 34 m
- Descent
- 117 m
- Duration
- approx. 1.25-1.5 h
- Surface
- Paved
Surface (measured): paved
03Kremsmünster - Neuhofen an der KremsKremsmünster · Rohr im Kremstal · Kematen an der Krems · Neuhofen an der Krems17 km
From Kremsmünster the path rolls through Rohr im Kremstal (station Rohr-Bad Hall: from here a side trip of about 4.5 km east to Bad Hall with its EurothermenResort and iodine brine spa is recommended) and on through Kematen an der Krems to Neuhofen. The valley widens here and the riding becomes calm and easy.
- Ascent
- 25 m
- Descent
- 76 m
- Duration
- approx. 1.0-1.25 h
- Surface
- Paved
Surface (measured): paved
04Neuhofen an der Krems - AnsfeldenNeuhofen an der Krems · Nettingsdorf · Ansfelden8 km
The short final section follows the Krems through Nettingsdorf alongside the railway - a quiet, flat run into the Traun valley. At Ansfelden the route reaches the Traun valley and links to the Traun Cycle Path (the Krems itself joins the Traun a few kilometres downstream at Linz-Ebelsberg). The birthplace of the composer Anton Bruckner (born 4 September 1824) houses the Bruckner Museum, redesigned after its 2024 bicentenary expansion. The Traun Cycle Path continues from here to the Danube near Linz.
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 16 m
- Duration
- approx. 0.25-0.5 h
- Surface
- Paved
Surface (measured): paved 85 % · fine gravel 15 %
03 - Elevation
Elevation across the full distance - move the cursor to read altitude and kilometre.
Elevation profile over 58 km. Ascent 99 m, descent 286 m. Lowest point 271 m, highest point 490 m.
Elevation from OSM geometry + Digital Terrain Model (DGM) Austria (10 m).
Hover the profile to see the point on the map - and vice versa.
04 - POIs & Services
- Kremsmünster Abbey (Benedictine monastery 777, Tassilo Chalice, observatory 1748-1759)
- Schlierbach Abbey (Cistercian monastery 1355/1620, stained-glass workshop, Schlosskäse dairy)
- Anton Bruckner Museum Ansfelden (birthplace of the composer, 1824)
- Upper Austrian Scythe Museum Micheldorf (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage 2014)
- Kremstal - gentle valley between Alpine foothills and the Traun plain
- EurothermenResort Bad Hall (iodine brine spa, side trip ~4.5 km east)
- Traun Cycle Path link at Ansfelden (onward to the Danube Cycle Path near Linz)
- Kirchdorf an der Krems (district capital, market square, S4 rail hub)
Services along the route
- Bike serviceIn the densely settled Kremstal several bike shops and repair stations sit along the route, most of them between Kirchdorf and Kremsmünster - good support over the whole length.
- E-bikeOver 20 charging stations along the entire corridor, with dense coverage from Micheldorf to Ansfelden. E-bike rental in the valley towns - best to enquire in advance in Kremsmünster or Kirchdorf.
- Drinking waterSeveral drinking-water fountains are spread along the route; the continuously inhabited valley ensures good supply between villages.
- Food & drinkInns and cafés in all main towns: Micheldorf, Kirchdorf, Wartberg, Schlierbach (monastery restaurant), Kremsmünster, Kematen, Neuhofen and Ansfelden. Gaps on the rural middle section are short.
Service points along the route
- Drinking water6
- Repair station2
- Bike shop3
- Charging station22
Service points from OpenStreetMap. Coverage may be incomplete, some fountains are seasonal - verify before you rely on them.
05 - Impressions
Kremsmünster Abbey with its observatory tower and collegiate church, seen from the air - the cultural heart of the Krems Valley Cycle Path.Photo: Stift Kremsmünster · Isiwal · CC BY-SA 4.0 View from Schlierbach station platform over the village and the Cistercian abbey.Photo: Stift Schlierbach · Isiwal · CC BY-SA 4.0 The river Krems through Micheldorf in Upper Austria, the southern start of the route.Photo: Krems in Micheldorf · Christoph Waghubinger (Lewenstein) · CC BY-SA 4.0 The main square of Kirchdorf an der Krems, the district capital in the upper Krems valley.Photo: Kirchdorf an der Krems · Christoph Waghubinger (Lewenstein) · CC BY-SA 3.0 The arch bridge over the Krems between Neuhofen an der Krems and Piberbach in the northern section of the valley.Photo: Bogenbrücke über die Krems, Neuhofen · Isiwal · CC BY-SA 4.0
06 - Public transit
- Rail: S4 (S-Bahn Oberösterreich, Pyhrnbahn)The S4 parallels the entire route on the Pyhrnbahn (ÖBB, Linz-Selzthal). Stations directly on the cycle path: Micheldorf (selected trains only), Kirchdorf an der Krems, Wartberg an der Krems, Nußbach, Schlierbach, Kremsmünster, Rohr-Bad Hall, Kematen-Piberbach, Neuhofen an der Krems, Nettingsdorf, Ansfelden. Linz Hbf is at the northern end of the S4. Bicycle carriage on regional trains is possible (not on rail-replacement buses - check times in advance).
- Connections towards Linz/DanubeFrom Ansfelden the Traun Cycle Path continues along the Traun towards Traun town and Wels, or via Linz to the Danube Cycle Path (EV6). Alternatively take the S4 direct (15 minutes from Ansfelden to Linz Hbf).
The S4 (S-Bahn OÖ, Pyhrnbahn) shadows the R10 for its entire length with stations in every town - the Kremstal Cycle Path and regional train make an ideal combination. The most popular pattern: take the S4 up to Kirchdorf or Kremsmünster, roll comfortably downstream, then return by S4 from Ansfelden to Linz. Only selected trains run all the way to the start at Micheldorf - check the timetable in advance.
07 - GPX & TCX download
Download for GPS devices & apps
Clean track with elevation - imports as a single tour, compatible with Komoot, Garmin, Wahoo, Strava, RideWithGPS, OsmAnd.
Download stages individually (4)
Route derived from OpenStreetMap geometry - may differ slightly from on-the-ground signage. © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0) · Elevation © DGM Austria (CC BY 3.0 AT). Redistribute with attribution.