"Haichenbach ruin", "Nature Trail Donauschlinge"
INTERESTING POINTS ALONG THE WAY:
Legendary cultural life:
Nature & movement:
SPIRITUAL HIKING ON THE DONAUSTEIG:
Mühlviertler Dom / Haichenbach ruin / Nature Trail
The Donauschlinge is considered one of the natural wonders in Upper Austria and along the 2,888 km long Danube, which can be admired from the Haichenbach castle ruin. Along the Danube bank and the Nature Trail Donauschlinge, a unique, untouched animal and plant world can be walked through here. "Every day offers a great opportunity to leave old paths and take a new direction."
From Niederkappel (place to stop) continue over meadows and woods through the hilly highlands to Dorf, past the "Kerschbaumerbankerl" – one of the most beautiful viewpoints – to the Haichenbach ruin with observation tower. From there over the Danube slopes to Au (place to stop at the snack station). Then continue along the left bank of the Danube downstream to the "Nature Trail Donauschlinge", where you can walk through a unique, untouched animal and plant world. Past a disused quarry and the village of Grafenau, after a possible detour to the Gasthaus Gierlinger, return to Niederkappel.
Tip:Discovery journeys with a tasty stop! This route leads directly past the following culinary partner:
Donautaler Mostkellerei
The nature trail is a pure hiking trail with cable protection. Absolutely no cycling allowed here. Attention: No possibility to push your bike either!
Equipment:Hiking backpack (including rain cover), sturdy footwear
Additional information:Niederkappel Municipal Office
Main Street 12
4133 Niederkappel
Tel.: 0043(0)7286/85 55 Fax:30
gemeinde@niederkappel.at
www.niederkappel.at
DONAUSTEIG HOST ALONG THE ROUTE:
Gasthof Gierlinger "Donauparadies"
Grafenau 17, 4131 Obermühl, Tel.: +43 7286 7213, www.gasthof-gierlinger.at
- Fish grill plate or steak with a good glass of wine
- 18 beds
OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS ALONG THE ROUTE:
Organic farm Ramesedt, Dorf 10, Niederkappel, Tel.: +43 7286 8116, 16 beds
Snack station Grafenauerl, Grafenau 3, Niederkappel, Tel.: + 43 680 55 22 717
Many delicacies from the in-house bakery can be enjoyed in the integrated, cosy café.
Cosy inn to stop off at in any season
The Gothic church dating from 1404-1411 had finally become too small in the 19th century. Calls for a new church to be built grew louder and louder. The well-known and probably most important bishop of Linz, Bishop Rudigier, encouraged the establishment of a fund to enlarge the church, and the village judge and local poet Ignaz Donabaur made the first donation in 1858.
The church was rebuilt between 1890 and 1895 and the plans for the "Mühlviertel Cathedral" were drawn up by Raimund Jeblinger, then master builder of the cathedral in Linz. The church was built at great sacrifice by the parish population. The parish and church patron saint is St Andrew the Apostle. The church itself was consecrated in 1895, but the tower was not completed until 1907 and the organ was purchased in 1912.
During a group tour, you will learn about the construction history of the Mühlviertel cathedral and at the same time gain an exciting insight into a time of great religious and social upheaval, which also left its mark on a small town.
Info: Gemeindeamt Niederkappel
Tel.: +43 (0) 72 86 / 85 55
Die Wiese, vom Menschen geschaffener Lebensraum ...
Wiesen sind mit einigen Ausnahmen vom Menschen geschaffene Lebensräume, die unter natürlichen Umständen allmählich verbuschen und in weiterer Folge verwalden würden. Im Laufe der Jahrtausende wurden die Wiesen aber zu wertvollen, artenreichen Lebensräumen, die es nun zu erhalten gilt. Besonders im oberen Donautal sind die Wiesen mit einem hohen Aufforstungsdruck bedroht, da sich die Bewirtschaftung an vielen Stellen scheinbar nicht mehr lohnt. Ein wertvoller Wiesentyp ist z.B. die Streuobstwiese, die traditionelle Form der Obstbaumbestände, die oft in unmittelbarer Nähe zu Bauernhäusern vorkommt. Die Bäume stehen in Reihen oder unregelmäßig, der Unterwuchs wird häufig als Weide genutzt. Sie stellt einen besonders artenreichen Lebensraum dar und beherbergt Insekten, Vogelarten, Säugetiere. Alte Baumhöhlen sind Brutplatz für viele Tierarten. Für den Menschen sind sie nicht nur Nahrungsquelle, sondern auch Verschönerer des Landschaftsbildes und Quelle der Erholung. Auch das eine oder andere gute Destillat und Most lassen sich in der Gegend erstehen.
In der Nähe von Grafenau gibt es den Jungfernsee - die Geschichte "Das steinerne Heu" erzählt, wie dieser See zu seinem Namen kam.
Getting there
Car: from Linz: B127 via Ottensheim to Neufelden - Lembach im Mühlkreis - Niederkappel
Train: Westbahn to Linz - Mühlkreisbahn to Neufelden - taxi or bus to Niederkappel www.oebb.at
Ship: www.donauschiffahrt.de
Local buses: www.ooevv.at
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