R1.03 Danube Valley Gorge Round
4040 Linz
"Fascination Danube Valley Gorge – River Cycling with Deep Views"
Recommended season:
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Loop
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
- Family friendly
- Cultural/historical value
The Upper Danube Valley – about 90 km long, up to 300 m deep, home to the largest near-natural gorge and slope mixed forests in Central Europe... On this sporty cycling round, you pedal through the narrow valley floor along the Danube river upstream and return over its roof on the magnificent Sauwald Panorama Road. With a 3 km descent into the Danube gorge.
Highlights:
- Engelszell Abbey (Abbey church is a Rococo jewel)
- Engelhartszell Danube World (large aquarium, sensory garden), Schütz Art Museum ...
- UNESCO World Heritage Site "Kleincastell Oberranna"
- Vichtenstein Castle
- Vichtenstein Parish Church (miraculous Madonna figure)
- St. Aegidi Trout Circus
The Upper Danube Valley – The Danube flows for about 90 km between Hofkirchen in Bavaria and Aschach in Upper Austria through one of its longest breakthrough valleys. East of Passau, this is also the deepest Danube gorge, with depths of up to 300 m. In the inaccessible valley sides, the last large near-natural gorge and slope mixed forests of Central Europe have survived. A natural treasure that is now protected by the European protected area "Upper Danube and Aschach Valley."
The starting point is located on an alluvial plain – Wesenufer. Today unremarkable, the charming Danube village once held special significance: ferry, market rights... and Niederwesen Castle (= today Hotel Wesenufer)! After the settlement area, the bank narrows and you cycle on the Nibelungen Road through the mixed forest of the valley flank – with a brief uphill section – to Oberranna. The UNESCO World Heritage Site "Kleincastell Oberranna" here brings the life on the famous Danube limes back to life. Afterwards, a beautiful bike path accompanies the Nibelungen Road through the forest slope – with another uphill section – to Saag. On side roads, you now cycle along the edge of the rural alluvial plain to the magnificent Engelszell Abbey – a Danube highlight! The world-famous abbey church counts among Austria’s purest Rococo jewels and surprises with a modern ceiling fresco. In Engelhartszell, a short detour into the beautiful town center is worth it: it tells of prosperity as an imperial toll station and merges with the sites of the Engelhartszell Danube World into an experience world “Danube”! At the end of the village, the bank narrows again. Now begins the finest pleasure river cycling: You pedal almost level on the legendary towpath beside the Danube through the forest gorge. The hum of the tires, a cooling breeze, the ship traffic... Just below the Jochenstein power plant, a small rock island with a cross rises from the waves – the Jochenstein. According to legend, the mermaid Isa lives there and lures boatmen to their doom with her song. So watch out! About 2 km above the power plant, the pleasurable bike path again accompanies the Nibelungen Road – now directly on the Danube bank. In Kasten, there was an important ferry to Obernzell: here salt could be transported overland past the Passau toll station to Bohemia. The noteworthy small church and the house "Kasten 1" testify to this time. The rest of the village sank in the backwater of the Jochenstein power plant.
In Pyrawang starts the magnificent Sauwald Panorama Road with a 330 meter ascent to the roof of the Danube gorge. Along the Panorama Road, staged viewpoints surprise with wonderful views into and above the Danube Gorge. So take your time and enjoy! The road leads steadily uphill through the steep forest slope, above impresses rural cultural landscape. The Sauwald high plateau is reached in Oberbamberg. Lush meadows, small fields, beautiful orchards, small woods, scattered farming hamlets... and sublime views – pure Sauwald countryside idyll! In a loop, you cycle enjoyably via Esternberg over the hilly plateau. Shortly after Urschendorf, you have reached its highest point. Congratulations! With a 2 km long regenerative descent, you return to the valley slope of the Danube gorge. The Danube high-altitude village Vichtenstein is an unexpected highlight: the (feud) castle Vichtenstein, the charming parish church with miraculous Madonna, magnificent views... Here starts the "summit storm" on the high road through the eternal forests of the Haugstein (= highest Sauwald peak). The sweat runs, the thoughts fly. At the beginning of the forest clearing of the hamlet Unterweinbrunn, the highest point of the round (660 m) is reached. Congratulations! Through mountain forest, it goes slightly hilly further, then quickly downhill. Finally, you enjoyfully rush over a rural ridge with hidden views of the Danube (Flenken Valley) – and a short counter ascent – down into the forest trench of the rushing brook. A short (forest) ascent brings you back to the Sauwald high plateau. St. Aegidi is the start of a 4.5 km long pleasure descent over a ridge full of Sauwald countryside idyll. The cycling becomes cruising! In Sittling, the ascent to the last ridge begins. Once at the top, the short detour to the extraordinary Four-Quarters View is worth it: the 360° panoramic view allows limitless views into all four quarters of Upper Austria! On the way, the Sauwald high plateau presents itself once more from its most beautiful side. In Waldkirchen am Wesen follows the crowning finale: 3 km of fast downhill fun through the steep forest slope of the Danube valley gorge to Wesenufer. River cycling with deep views!
Tip:Discovery journeys with enjoyable stops! This route passes directly by the following culinary partners:
Safety guidelines:
This sporty cycling route uses entirely quiet, paved (side) roads, country roads, and bike paths. Basic gear shifting skills for the long climb are necessary. Basic braking skills for the long descents are necessary.
Signage:
To make orientation easier for you, the Danube cycling rounds have been marked with their own bike guidance system. This route follows the signage "R1.03 Danube Valley Gorge Round".
Paths covering:
further information:
- Circular route
- Board possible
In the "Danube Stories" exhibition (part of the Engelhartszell Danube World), themes from the history of the market town of Engelhartszell have been playfully and artistically designed by children. It is located right next to the market town hall and houses an original ship's cabin, small ship models and tells about life on and along the Danube.
There is also information about the "Donausteig from Passau to Grein" with a film about the Danube and the INFOPOINT - "Natura 2000", where photo slides, sound recordings and films give a particularly realistic impression of nature in the European nature reserve.
After the exhibition, we recommend an informative walk along the Danube Trail - from Engelhartszell to the Jochenstein power station - which is also part of the Engelhartszell Danube World. Duration approx. 1 hour.
Group tours:
Bookable: 01 May to 30 September, daily 1 - 5 pm
01 October to 31 October, Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, 1 - 5 p.m.
Outside these times on request
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Group size: unlimited
Admission: free
Our family business with attached farm is located 1 km before Engelhartszell near the Danube power station Jochenstein.
For our guests we offer free of charge a covered swimming pool with sunbathing area, deckchairs and children's playground. Permanent car parking and motorbike or bicycle parking facilities are available. This is the ideal place to start your cycling tour along the Danube Cycle Path or your hiking tour along the Danube Trail.
In our cosy restaurant with a great view of the Danube and the power station
Jochenstein (80 seats) and in the beautiful guest garden, we serve good
from traditional to creative cuisine as well as coffee and cakes.
We also offer a snack menu (seasonal from May to October).
https://www.bernhards-restaurant.at/
We are on holiday:
11.09 - 20.09
30.10 - 22.11
On 21 April 1854, Princess Elisabeth of Bavaria started her journey to Vienna as the future bride of Emperor Franz Joseph I. A particularly festive reception was prepared for the young Sissi in the border customs office and market of Engelhartszell.
In memory of this event, a café named "Sissi" has now been set up in the former grocer's shop of the Atteneder family with great attention to detail.
Guests at the "Sissi" cafe can expect a variety of breakfasts, hot dishes at lunchtime, homemade pastries, wines from Hebenstreit, Engelszell monastery liqueurs and Trappist beers.
On open house days local artists show their artworks in the Danube atelier “Donau-Atelier”. The dates are published in the program of the club “Kultur an der Donau”.
at the inn “Gasthof Steininger ‚Zum Goldenen Schiff‘ “
at the market town hall Engelhartszell
More than 700 years of history:
Engelszell Abbey looks back on an eventful past—from its founding in 1293, through its dissolution in the 18th century, to its reestablishment by Trappist monks in the 20th century. To this day, its spiritual and economic traditions continue to shape the life of the monastic community.
Whether in the shadow of the mighty abbey church or in the historic abbey cellar. You are sure to find a pleasant place where you can savour the abbey's own liqueurs and home-brewed beers. Of course, we also offer desserts and snacks as refreshments in between. The adjoining shop at the Stiftspforte invites you to browse and shop.
Our establishment is located opposite the Engelszell monastery, directly at the four boat landing stages, the boat landing stage and the bus stop.
We offer warm cuisine all day and spoil our guests with regional home cooking and homemade cake variations. We would especially like to recommend our homemade products such as jams, must, vinegar, syrup, etc. to our guests.
A petrol station with bike service and bike rental is attached to our inn.
Outside opening hours you can use our petrol station from 06:00 - 22:00. Payment only possible with debit card.
Secured parking spaces and garage spaces.
Feel the pleasant atmosphere of our house. There is also a sunny guest garden.
Traditional inn with down-to-earth cuisine, cosy garden terrace, function room for approx. 400 people, ideal for celebrations of all kinds; dining room, cellar parlour; popular meeting place for local groups and clubs
With the best from the Innviertel. And creative highlights from all over the world. Regional products and ingredients in exclusively organic quality. Vegetarian and vegan options are also allowed. Plus freshly tapped organic beer from Hofstettner and Schladminger, organic wines and refreshing juices.
We offer our guests: drinks, ice cream, coffee, homemade cakes and pies, snacks, decorations, flowers and small gifts.
The chef will spoil you with hearty home cooking and culinary specialities. For your events, we offer a barrier-free hall (divisible) with up to 220 seats. A stage with professional sound equipment is available for musical accompaniment. An e-charging station for cars and bicycles is also available. Generous parking areas, bus parking spaces and garage spaces for motorbikes are available.
One of the most impressive landscape features are the steep rocky sites of the Donauleiten. Light pine tree and oak tree populations colonise these habitats. The reptile fauna is especially dense, but also the eagle owl, the largest owl species, feels home here. With a bit of luck, an attentive observer can watch it during the nightly prowl.
If you are extra attentive, you might catch a glimpse of one of the geobionts. A few lizard species, amongst them the green lizard, swish through the bushes. With its 35cm length it is one of the largest local lizards. The name relates to the green colour of the adult animals. In the mating season the blue-colored throat of the males is particularly striking. In the Donauleiten they prefer rocky areas and piles of stones with plenty of bushes and briars, where they can hide from their natural enemies
These are 1.4-meter-high service stations equipped with a suspension device for bicycles, an air pump and hand tools such as screwdrivers, Allen keys and wrenches, etc., which can be used to repair minor bicycle faults conveniently and free of charge
The bike repair shop is located directly on the Danube cycle path from Passau to Vienna.
E-bikes as well as trekking bikes for young and old can be rented.
Booking is very straightforward!
Simply call and book in advance.
004377178037 or 004367761166508 Mr. Thomas
Info: TOKU - Tourismus und Kultur im Donautal Waldkirchen-Wesenufer
Tel.: +43 (0) 77 18 / 72 55-11 od. 12
A g’wachsene Kulturlandschaft…
Der Hochsauwald zeichnet sich durch stark bewaldete Höhenrükken aus, ein raues Klima mit hohen Niederschlagsmengen prägt die Gegend. Es ist eine gewachsene Kulturlandschaft mit einem Mosaik aus landwirtschaftlichen Nutzflächen und unterschiedlicher Bewaldungsintensität. Durch Dörfer, Weiler und viele Siedlungssplitter wird der ländliche Charakter des Sauwaldes verstärkt. Von weitem schon erkennt man sie durch die hohen Spitzen ihrer Kirchtürme. Viele historische Kulturlandschaftselemente lassen sich entdecken. Beispiele dafür sind Gattersäulen, Lesesteinhaufen und Schwöllen (kleine Teiche). Mit den weitgehend naturnah erhalten gebliebenen Bachläufen, die eine Kostbarkeit für die Region darstellen, ergibt sich ein recht harmonisches Landschaftsbild.
Oberösterreich ist vielerorts als ein wahres Schlaraffenland überliefert. Wie ein junger Bursch sich hier wie "Im Schlaraffenland" fühlte, wird in der Donau-Sage erzählt.
Information: Marktgemeinde Engelhartszell
Tel.: +43 (0) 77 17 / 80 55-16
Der Natur was zurückgeben…
Die Uferbereiche der Donau sind durch verschiedene wasserbauliche Maßnahmen stark vom Menschen beeinflusst. Die Donauschlucht bietet naturgemäß aufgrund ihres tief eingegrabenen Engtals wenige Austandorte. Durch Flussregulierungen, Verbauungen und Anpflanzung von standortfremden Bäumen (z.B. Fichten) sind aber auch die passenden Standorte gefährdet oder verloren gegangen. Heute finden sich nur noch Reste von Auenlandschaften. Die Au hat aber wichtige Funktionen im Landschaftshaushalt wie Wasserrückhalt, Selbstreinigung, Gewässerstabilisierung und ist Lebensraum für bedrohte Tier- und Pflanzenarten. Die Ufer der Donau sind fast durchgehend mit Blockwurf abgesichert und oft nur noch von schmalen Gehölzstreifen begleitet. Heute werden wieder vermehrt Flachwasserzonen und Sedimentationsflächen wie Inseln, Buchten und Schotterbänke geschaffen. Viele dieser Projekte sind in Planung oder Umsetzung, in Engelhartszell und Kramesau wurden solche bereits durchgeführt.
Oberhalb der Burg Rannariedl stand einst ein mächtiges Schloss, das von Feinden ausgeraubt und niedergebrannt wurde - wie der Sohn des Ritters überlebte und was eine tapfere Magd mit der ganzen Geschichte zu tun hat, lesen Sie in der Donau-Sage "Der verborgene Schatz".
Information: Gemeindeamt
Tel.: +43 (0) 77 14 / 80 55
Futter aus dem Wald...
Der Wald diente dem Menschen nicht nur für den Holzabbau, sondern war lange Zeit auch als Weidegebiet genutzt. Bis etwa in die Mitte des 19.Jahrhunderts war die Waldweide üblich. Im Hochsauwald wurden dabei aus lose geschichteten Steinen Mauern zur Abgrenzung der Weidegebiete errichtet. Auch die Gattersäulen (aufgestellte Steinsäulen, in denen ein Gatter verankert wurde) zeugen noch aus dieser Zeit. Diese Art der Waldnutzung und die damals üblichen Holzschläge für Brenn- und Bauholzgewinnung sowie für die Köhlerei führten zu einer starken Verwüstung der Wälder. In der später folgenden geregelten Waldwirtschaft wurden die Fichte und die Tanne die bedeutendsten Baumarten. Für die Fichte gilt das noch heute, obwohl sie vielfach an Standorten angepflanzt wird, an die sie natürlicherweise nicht hingehört. In der Umgebung von Vichtenstein dagegen ist die Fichte autochton (heimisch), was sich im Namen und im Wappen der Gemeinde widerspiegelt.
Am Haugstein steht heute eine Kapelle, die einen Jäger vor Maria kniend zeigt - warum die Kapelle dort errichtet wurde, weißt die Donau-Sage "Wundersames am Haugstein".
In our cozy and stylish restaurant, we delight your palate and your eyes with classics - freshly prepared with seasonal, regional products - from Austrian and Persian cuisine.
Welcome to the Schütz Art Café - where art meets pleasure.
Let yourself be enchanted by the unique combination of contemporary art and classic coffee house culture in a stylish ambience. Surrounded by inspiring works of art, you can enjoy the finest home-made pastries - the best far and wide -, delicious snacks, exquisite drinks and ice cream that you won't soon forget. Our friendly team is passionate about making you feel at home from the very first moment.
Whether as an enjoyable start or a relaxing end to your visit, a visit to the Schütz Art Museum is the perfect way to round off your experience. The museum invites you not only to view art, but also to experience it intensively - in dialog with international artists and by taking a look behind the scenes of their work.
Schütz Art Café & Museum - a place to linger, enjoy and discover.
The collection focuses on Austrian visual art from the Classical Modernist period, complemented by other works from the 19th and 20th centuries through to the present day. Among them are artists such as Klimt, Schiele, Kokoschka, Waldmüller, Schindler, Wisinger-Florian, Moll, Eisenschitz, Moser, Dobrowsky, Walde, Egger-Lienz, ...
You can find all the latest information on the Schütz Art Museum’s website:
https://www.schuetzartsociety.at/museum
Public Transit
How to travel to the Upper Austria Danube region?
The fastest way to your destination – by train, bus, car, ship, or airplane.
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
Please get in touch for more information.
Lindengasse 9
4040 Linz
Phone +43 732 7277 - 800
Fax machine +43 732 7277 - 804
E-Mail info@donauregion.at
Web www.donauregion.at
Altitude profile - R1.03 Danube Valley Gorge Round
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