Escape into the wilderness: Praterstern to Groß-Enzersdorf (NÖ)

Start: Praterstern (Praterstern U1/U2), 1020
End: Groß-Enzersdorf (NÖ), 2301

Length: 22.2km (60–90 mins)
Difficulty: Easy/moderate, depending on your mood (the route is beloved by both Wiggins wannabes and those pesky Sunday cyclists).

Directions: This is one of the rougher routes in Vienna and if you play your cards right, you can do it entirely traffic-free. Start at the beginning of the Prater Hauptallee amidst the runners and revellers, and watch out for the stray children (the bane of many cyclist’s life). The part is great to power those riding muscles and blow away the cobwebs, although of course, you can take a more leisurely approach. At the 3km mark, turn left under the A23 highway bridge and follow the signs to the Lobau national park, over the footbridge, down the spiral ramp, and over the Danube island.

Why the hell would you want to do this bike path? The many trees lining the route provide ample shade making this a great ride for a sunny day and, as long as you remember to pack the insect repellent, the abundance of water along the path make for an idyllic lakeside picnic. The Lobau itself is a wonderful national park with loads of interesting hidden walkways. If you’re rocking a vintage road bike, try to avoid the less well-trodden routes, or else you’ll be in danger of getting stuck carrying your steed. It’s also a great one for beginners, as there are no hills and no need to share the road with cars! But don’t forget on this one – you’ve got to ride all the way back!