EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail: Vineyards and River Floodplains

EuroVelo 13 – the Iron Curtain Trail is far more than just a long-distance cycle route. Stretching over more than 10,000 kilometres, it takes you from the Arctic to the Black Sea, allowing you to experience history, nature and the feeling of freedom on two wheels. That this extraordinary route exists today is thanks to the dedication of many passionate Inserting Tour Packages on EuroVelo.com pioneers.

With the newly bookable tours from “Good Impact Cycling,” you can now discover selected sections of the Iron Curtain Trail individually, safely and comfortably. Experience cycling holidays with the greatest possible freedom—complemented by reliable service, sustainable concepts and the good feeling of traveling consciously.

The central section of EuroVelo 13 – the Iron Curtain Trail along the border of Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia captivates with its exceptional scenic and cultural diversity. For those who do not have enough time to ride the entire route, this practical one-week package is highly recommended. In the tri-border region of the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovakia, it opens up one of the oldest wine-growing areas and a richly varied cultural landscape with centuries of history. At the same time, the memorials of the Iron Curtain along this section are particularly striking and will powerfully remind you of the value of freedom.

And best of all: you travel with the good feeling of doing something good! Because with “Good Impact Cycling” tours, you are not only traveling sustainably—you are also giving something back to the regions along EuroVelo 13 – the Iron Curtain Trail as a thank you for what you experience, thereby providing important impetus for their sustainable development.

The Route

You begin this central section of EuroVelo 13 – the Iron Curtain Trail (EV13) in Drosendorf, Austria, located on the boundary between the highlands of the Bohemian Massif and the gentle hills of the wine-growing regions of South Moravia and the Weinviertel. You then cycle in five mostly moderate daily stages, first along the Czech–Austrian border and later along the Austrian–Slovak border, all the way to Bratislava, the vibrant capital of Slovakia. Although considerable efforts are continually being made to improve EuroVelo 13 – the Iron Curtain Trail and its infrastructure, you should be prepared for a mix of beautiful cycle paths, occasional gravel sections, and some public roads. Nevertheless, you will be rewarded with breathtakingly diverse landscapes and the warm hospitality typical of slow travel destinations.

Suggestion: If, after this cycling week on EuroVelo 13 – the Iron Curtain Trail, you have developed a taste for it and have not yet ridden its preceding stages through the mystical granite landscapes of the Bohemian Massif, this offer comes highly recommended.

The Highlights

While the landscapes of the Bohemian Massif highlands along EuroVelo 13 – the Iron Curtain Trail captivate cyclists with their mystique and tranquillity, the section through the wine-growing regions of South Moravia, western Slovakia and the Weinviertel delights with its cultural treasures and culinary pleasures. Here, the centuries-old shared history within the Habsburg Empire can still be felt with every turn of the pedals, having left behind countless magnificent historical landmarks, such as the fairy-tale castles in Valtice. And as a reward for your efforts, at the end of a fulfilling day of cycling you may—moderately and with due restraint—indulge in the delights of one of Central Europe’s most traditional wine-growing regions. Before the grand finale in the vibrant Slovak capital of Bratislava, you will also cycle through the near-natural Thaya floodplains, a truly special ecological stepping stone of the Green Belt.

Good Impact Cycling

With “Good Impact Cycling,” our goal is to make your fascinating cycling journey along the EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail climate-friendly and sustainable. To achieve this, we are committed to fully implementing the European Commission’s new “Directive on Green Claims” with the highest possible transparency: for “Good Impact Cycling,” both your personal CO₂ footprint and, for the first time, the Sustainability Score of your cycling trip are calculated. In this way, your cycling trip gains an added value alongside all the unforgettable experiences! Our vision with regenerative cycling tours on the EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail is not only to avoid harmful impacts on the environment, culture, and society, but to actively create positive effects. This ensures that the regions along the EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail benefit from regenerative tourism in a truly sustainable way.

To this purpose, the scores from your cycling journey will be converted into a ‘Good Impact Cycling Contribution’. This is included in the travel price and will benefit the specially established ‘Good Impact Programme’. From 2027 onwards, the ‘Good Impact Cycling Contribution’ will be used to support carefully selected ecological or social projects along the EuroVelo 13 - Iron Curtain Trail. Until then, the project management, the Hungarian non-profit organisation (NPO) Westpannon for the Pilot Region Hungary – Slovenia – Croatia and the Czech non-profit organisation (NPO) Partnerství, o.p.s for the Pilot Region Austria – Czech Republic – Slovakia, will manage your contribution in trust.

To calculate this offer, we used the leading carbon footprint calculator CARMACAL and the six commonly used global indicators of the Impact Measurement System (IMS).

EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail - Official Info- & Booking Centre

If you’re ready to embark on the great adventure along EuroVelo 13 – the Iron Curtain Trail, this offer is simply the perfect choice. It combines your personal freedom with service, safety, and balanced sustainability. Moreover, the expert team at the EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail - Official Booking Centre will support you in planning your trip and throughout your journey, helping you to avoid unpleasant surprises along the way. They also invite you to become a pioneer and contributor to regenerative cycling tourism in Europe through the 'Good Impact Cycling' offers.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Individual arrival in Drosendorf (AT)

Tip: An evening stroll through the small, picturesque walled town of Drosendorf is highly recommended and is the perfect way to get you in the mood for the cultural treasures along EuroVelo 13 – the Iron Curtain Trail.

Day 2 | Cycling tour from Drosendorf (AT) to Znojmo (CZ)

Distance: 59 km; Ascent: 616 m

Highlights in addition to the cycling route: Uherčice Castle, Vranov nad Dyjí Castle, Thayatal & Podyjí National Parks, Hardegg Castle, Iron Curtain Memorial in Čížov, Čížov National Park Visitor Center, historic old town of Znojmo

Day 3 | Cycling tour from Znojmo (CZ) to Laa an der Thaya (AT)

Distance: 66 km; Ascent: 278 m

Highlights in addition to the cycling route: Podyjí National Park, wine-shaped landscapes of South Moravia and the Weinviertel, Retz windmill, Pulkau Valley, Hadres – Europe’s longest wine cellar lane, Laa Thermal Spa

Day 4 | Cycling tour from Laa an der Thaya (AT) to Valtice (CZ)

Distance: 44 km; Ascent: 183 m

Highlights in addition to the cycling route: moated castle of Laa, Wildendürnbach wine cellar lane, historic old town of Mikulov with castle, Freedom Trail and Iron Curtain Memorial near Mikulov, Pavlovské vrchy / Pálava Hills Nature Reserve, UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape of Lednice–Valtice, Lu & Tiree Chmelar herbal garden in Valtice

Day 5 | Cycling tour from Valtice (CZ) to Malacky (SK)

Distance: 64 km; Ascent: 201 m

Highlights in addition to the cycling route: Valtice Castle, riparian forest at the confluence of the Thaya and Morava rivers (“Moravian Amazon”)

Day 6 | Cycling tour from Malacky (SK) to Bratislava (SK)

Distance: 67 km; Ascent: 39 m

Highlights in addition to the cycling route: cultural treasures of the historic old town of Bratislava, capital of Slovakia

Day 7 | Bratislava – individual departure

Return transfer as part of the convenient mobility service (e-bus) and individual departure

Services, Dates & Prices

Included services

• 6 overnight stays in selected partner accommodations

o Accommodation category: Classic/Comfort

o Meals: hearty breakfast buffet

• 5 consecutive stages along the EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail

• Trail hotline – available 7/12 days a week during your trail journey

• Extended digital travel documents

• Expert advice for travelling by train to the IC/EC railway stations along the route

• Contribution to a more sustainable world: with your tour price you support the “Good Impact Cycling” programme

Optional services

• Luggage transfer from stage to stage

• Return transfer Bratislava – Drosendorf (AT) as part of the convenient mobility service (e-bus)

Not included

• Printed travel documents and maps (available as an optional extra)

• Local tourist taxes at accommodations (to be paid at check-out)

• Personal expenses

Bookable daily from 1st May – 17th October 2026

EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail - Official Info- & Booking Centre: Cycling Holidays (Bernreither Straße 45, 8344 Bad Gleichenberg, AUSTRIA)

Season 1 – € 599.- + € 31.- Contribution Good Impact Cycling I 11.04. – 25.04.2026 I 10.10. – 17.10.2026

Season 2 - € 619.- + € 31.- Contribution Good Impact Cycling I 25.04. – 22.05.2026 I 26.09. – 09.10.2026

Season 3 - € 639.- + € 31.- Contribution Good Impact Cycling I 23.05. – 25.09.2026