Quick answer
The Greenways Prague–Vienna is a 400 km long-distance route through the Czech Republic and Austria, designed to connect Prague and Vienna through quieter, more scenic back-country terrain than the direct road or main cycle paths. It crosses four main river valleys, passes through South Bohemian and South Moravian wine country, and visits a string of well-preserved historic towns. It takes 8–12 days at a touring pace and is more challenging than the Danube Cycle Path.
Who is this for
The Greenways route is for cyclists who want more depth and variety than a simple river route offers — who are comfortable with some unpaved sections, occasional route-finding, and hilly terrain. It appeals strongly to those interested in cultural heritage, wine, and rural landscapes. It's not a beginner route; a reasonable base fitness and previous touring experience will make the trip much more enjoyable.
What is the Greenways network?
The Central European Greenways are a network of heritage trails developed in the 1990s and early 2000s to connect cities and regions across Central Europe through sustainable, low-impact routes. They were inspired partly by the American Rails-to-Trails concept and partly by a desire to create tourism infrastructure that benefited small communities rather than just motorway corridors. The Prague–Vienna Greenway was one of the first and remains the flagship route, running roughly 400 km through Bohemia, South Moravia, and Lower Austria.
How does it differ from Prague–Vienna via the Danube?
The main Prague–Vienna cycling route (described in our Prague to Vienna guide) follows the Vltava and then largely the Danube river corridor. The Greenways route deliberately avoids this main corridor in favour of cross-country terrain. Key differences:
| Feature | Danube / Main Route | Greenways Route |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | ~350 km | ~400 km |
| Terrain | Flat to rolling | Hilly in places |
| Surface | Mostly asphalt | Mix of asphalt, gravel, forest tracks |
| Signage | Excellent | Good but inconsistent in places |
| Services | Frequent | More sparse |
| Scenery focus | River & city | Countryside, heritage, wine |
| Best for | First-timers, families | Experienced tourers, culture lovers |
Route highlights
South Bohemia — UNESCO landscapes and Gothic ponds
Leaving Prague southward, the Greenways route enters the South Bohemian lowlands, a region of medieval fish ponds, oak forests, and Renaissance towns. Třeboň is one of the finest preserved Renaissance towns in Bohemia — its historic centre, thermal spa, and biosphere reserve make it a natural overnight stop. The landscape of ponds and wetlands here (the Třeboňsko biosphere reserve) is internationally recognised for biodiversity and creates an unusual cycling environment — flat, reedy, and rich in birdlife.
South Moravia — Czech wine country
Crossing into Moravia, the route enters Czech wine country — rolling hills covered in vineyards, wine cellars dug into hillsides, and villages that feel more Austrian than Bohemian in character. Znojmo is the regional centre — a fortified hilltop town with an underground labyrinth of wine cellars, a 12th-century castle, and one of the best preserved historic centres in Moravia. The wine trail south of Znojmo toward the Austrian border passes through some of the most picturesque vineyard terrain in Central Europe.
Lower Austria — border crossing and wine hills
The Czech–Austrian border crossing near Retz is straightforward (Schengen zone). On the Austrian side, the route enters the Weinviertel (Wine Quarter) — the wine-growing lowlands north of Vienna. The landscape is gently rolling, the pace relaxed, and the local wine — mostly Grüner Veltliner — is outstanding. Retz is a well-preserved Austrian wine town with a famous underground cellar system open for tours. The final approach to Vienna through the Weinviertel is a gentle, pastoral conclusion to the journey.
Terrain and difficulty
The Greenways route is moderate in difficulty — harder than the Danube Cycle Path but not extreme. Total elevation gain is roughly 3,500–4,500 metres over 400 km. The South Bohemian section is the flattest; the Moravian wine hills introduce more climbing, with some steep vineyard tracks. Surface quality varies — expect everything from smooth asphalt to compacted forest tracks and, after rain, some muddy sections. Wide tyres (38mm+) are recommended.
Waymarking
The Greenways route uses a distinctive green apple on a yellow background marker. Waymarking is generally good in the Czech Republic along established sections; less consistent in areas where the route has been adjusted. Downloading a GPX track before departure is strongly recommended. The Greenways.cz website provides current route information and downloadable tracks.
When to go
May–June is excellent — the Bohemian pond landscapes are at their best, temperatures are pleasant, and the Moravian vineyards are in leaf. September–October is arguably the finest time — harvest season in Moravia and the Weinviertel, with wine taverns (Buschenschanken in Austria, vinotéky in Moravia) open and celebratory. Avoid early spring when forest tracks can be very muddy.
Practical tips
- Download a GPX track from Greenways.cz before departure — paper maps are hard to source for the full route
- Wide tyres (38mm minimum) are strongly recommended for the gravel and forest sections
- Carry Czech koruna for the Czech section; the route crosses into Austria near Retz
- Services are more sparse than on the Danube path — plan daily food and water supplies
- The Moravian wine villages are tiny — book accommodation well ahead in September during harvest festivals
- The underground wine cellars at Znojmo and Retz are worth a tour — book in advance
- A basic Czech phrasebook helps in rural Moravia where English is less common
Recommended tours
The Greenways Prague–Vienna can be ridden independently or as part of an organised self-guided tour with accommodation and luggage transfer. Browse our Prague–Vienna tour listings for options that include Greenways sections alongside the main river route.
