Bike path for the brave: Hietzing to Neuwaldegg

Start: The ramp down to the Wienfluss, 1140 (Hietzing U4)
End: Wien Hernals S45 S-Bahn station, 1170

Length: 24.1km (90–120 mins)
Difficulty: Difficult/Intense; involves a long, steep hill that will make your calves scream abuse at you.

Direction: This is one of our personal favourites, as it takes you out of Vienna and into the surrounding forests. Well, relatively speaking. Start opposite the U4 Hietzing station by taking the ramp onto the brilliant walkway next to the Wienfluss (be aware – there’s always a headwind!). Follow the track all the way to Hütteldorf station, crossing the barriers and continuing along next to the stream. You will come to a stairway. Walk your bike up this, follow the road to the left and turn right onto the Mauerbachstraße. You will reach the extremities of Vienna. Just before you veer off into Lower Austria, turn right onto the Sophienalpenstraße.

Why the hell would you want to do this bike path? A warning: this route is not for the faint of heart. The surroundings are exquisite no matter what the season and you’ll have a severe case of villa-jealousy as you’re puffing and panting your way up the hill. The climb itself takes in about 250 vertical metres – you’ll certainly be sweating. However, it’s all worth it when you turn right onto the Exelbergstraße and descend back towards Vienna. The view is astonishing. And the speeds on the way down make up for the effort expended on the way up. A quick note: the extended version is about 80km long and takes in Tulln and the Danube – a regular training route for the ever-increasing population of MAMILS (middle-aged men in lycra).