EV13 Etappe 10: Mannersdorf - Bratislava

From Mannersdorf an der March, the route heads back into Slovakia to Záhorska Ves. It continues through fields to Vysoká pri Morave, which was once literally cut off by the Iron Curtain. Unlike the other towns, this one is currently experiencing growth. Further south, the route runs close to the banks of the March again, and there’s a snack bar near the small settlement of Devinske Jazero. Then, on the left, you’ll see the Volkswagen Slovakia plant, and on the right, an impressive arch bridge that carries the rail line between Bratislava and Vienna. At Devínska Nová Ves, the Freedom Bike Bridge, completed in 2012, connects EuroVelo 13 on the Slovak side with the Kamp-Thaya-March Cycle Route and the Marchfeld Canal Cycle Route on the Austrian side near Schlosshof. The steel structure was built as part of a cross-border collaboration between Austria and Slovakia, also serving as a symbol of good neighborly relations. A detour to Schlosshof is well worth it! There you’ll find Austria’s largest castle complex in the countryside and a former imperial country estate—a setting for vibrant Baroque culture. The route then continues south along the March River to Devín. To the left lies the Sandberg, a remnant of a reef from the Tertiary Sea and part of the Little Carpathians, located within the Devínska Kobyla (Thebener Kogel) Nature Reserve. In Devín, Theben Castle (Hrad Devín) rises as an imposing fortress on the rocky outcrop at the confluence of the March and Danube rivers. Beneath the Theben Rock at the confluence of the March and Danube rivers stands a memorial to the Iron Curtain, featuring remnants of barbed wire and a military bunker. The gleaming white “Gate to Freedom” memorial commemorates those who were deported, displaced, or killed while attempting to flee. The route continues on the road to Bratislava. A bridge takes cyclists to the other side of the Danube; the view of the majestic river and the capital, Bratislava, is magnificent. Bratislava is the only capital city in the world that borders two countries and serves as the political and cultural center of Slovakia. The city is also known as the “Beauty on the Danube”; it features a historic Old Town that is a protected heritage site and is a modern metropolis.
The new Twin City Liner dock is located at “Nový most,” the new bridge, near the city center. The catamaran connects the city centers of the Slovak capital, Bratislava, and the Austrian capital, Vienna, in 75 minutes.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION! On the Slovak side, the EuroVelo 13 bike route runs along the “Devínska cesta” on the Theben–Bratislava section. This road is a major thoroughfare heavily used by trucks and buses, and speed limits are frequently ignored. The road is very narrow and often lacks a shoulder. Dust levels are also high due to the operation of a landfill and a quarry nearby. Therefore, we recommend cycling about 5 km back from Theben to Devínska Nová Ves and taking the train to Bratislava!