R1.04 Donauschlingen round
4040 Linz
"Schlögener Donauschlinge – Changing Perspectives"
Recommended season:
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Loop
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
- Cultural/historical value
- Geological highlights
Experience the fascination of the natural wonder Schlögener Donauschlinge up close: magnificent deep views from the roof of the natural wonder, enjoyable passage of the Danube bend, and ferry crossing at the first 180° bend! With panoramic approach over the Sauwald plateau and a short hike to the famous Schlögener Donaublick. A highlight!
Highlights:
- Meditation pyramid on Etzinger Hill (architectural highlight, view of the Alps)
- Viewing platform "Schlögener Donaublick" (famous deep view into the Schlögener bend)
- Natural wonder "Schlögener Schlinge"
- UNESCO World Heritage site Roman baths & Roman park Schlögen
- Ferry crossing
The Upper Danube Valley – with over 90 km (!) one of the longest breakthrough valleys of the Danube. And with rare gorge and mixed slope forests, a natural jewel of Central European scale. The starting point is located deep in this gorge a little upstream of the natural wonder Schlögener Donauschlinge – the Danube market Wesenufer. Today inconspicuous, it is the third oldest Danube town in Upper Austria! The name "-ufer" actually derives from "ferry crossing." There is even a former castle: Niederwesen Castle, today's Wesenufer Hotel.
The 280-meter altitude climb starts at the Danube shore up to the Sauwald plateau. In the magnificent gorge forest of the steep valley flanks, you climb on a quiet country road. Sweat flows, thoughts fly. Shortly after the ruins of Wesen Castle, the forest thins and you stand on the Sauwald plateau at the Waldkirchen crossroads. Congratulations, the hardest part of the ascent is done! Now the Sauwald panorama road begins. On gentle farm tracks you cycle over a hilly panoramic ridge. Lush meadows, fertile fields, scattered farms, small woods ... convey Sauwald countryside idyll. Breathtaking views to the Mühlviertel, over the Alpine foreland up to the Alps ... give a sense of height. Pure bliss! The panoramic view "Paschinger Hill" marks the start, a little later the impressive Etzinger meditation pyramid (642 m) is the highlight. Congratulations, you stand at the highest point of the round! Now begins the hilly descent to the roof of the Schlögener Donauschlinge. After the idyllic high village St. Agatha, you speed down through shady hillside forest in the rhythm of the curves.
At Nibelungenstrasse begins the roof plateau of the Schlögener Donauschlinge. A short ascent brings you to Haibach ob der Donau. A charming church village (= church at the center) that exudes proud and lively country idyll! Christoph Zeller, the second great peasant leader during the Upper Austrian Peasants' War in 1626, was once an innkeeper here. Nice country roads lead further over the - intersected by a ditch - slightly hilly plateau. In the mentioned forest ditch of the Fox Creek you rush briefly downhill and up again on the opposite slope. Then you enjoy a delightful ride through rural cultural landscape to the bicycle parking lot "Schlögener Donaublick." A short walk (~ 15 min) takes you through wonderful mixed hillside forest slightly downhill to the famous viewing platform "Schlögener Donaublick"! Only this magnificent deep view lets you understand the natural wonder of the Schlögener Donauschlinge: within a few kilometers, the deeply incised mythical river twice changes its direction by almost 180° – simply incredible! Afterwards, you cycle in a curve to the other edge of the plateau, then enjoy a swift forest descent through the steep valley flank to the Danube.
On the legendary towpath, you now pedal comfortably eye-level with the natural wonder through the Danube loops. The narrowness of the gorge, the lonely forests, the mighty river ... invite reflection. Today almost forgotten, the Schlögener bend once counted among the most dangerous locations on the Danube because of its rushing currents and treacherous rocks. The lovely small church in Inzell, in the heart of the second 180° bend, recalls this. According to legend, it was founded by a survivor of a shipwreck. At the first 180° bend, Roman excavations in Schlögen remind of another facet of the river. Here was a Roman small fort of the UNESCO World Heritage Danube Limes! The local Roman park lets this heritage shine in a new light again. The crowning conclusion of the natural wonder highlight: the crossing with the bike ferry from Schlögen to Au – the close-up perspective from the river! On the towpath, you cycle out leisurely along the broad Danube river. In Niederranna, over the Danube bridge, the modern version of the former ferry, and the starting point is reached again. Enjoyable cycling with changing perspectives!
Tip:Discovery trips with enjoyable stops! This route passes directly by the following culinary partners:
Safety guidelines:
This contrasting cycling round uses entirely quiet, paved (side) roads and farm tracks. Basic shifting skills are advantageous for the long uphill climb. Basic braking technique is necessary for the long descent. Please note the operating times of the Schlögen – Au bike ferry. If it is not in operation, you can, in an emergency, continue from Schlögen on the same Danube shore to Wesenufer.
Signposting:
To make orientation easier for you, the Danube cycling rounds have been marked with their own cycle guidance system. This round follows the signposting "R1.04 Donauschlingen-Runde".
Paths covering:
further information:
- Circular route
- Board possible
Under the motto "Ecologically clean", we were awarded the 1st ÖKO model company in Upper Austria in 1996.
Restaurant and adjoining room: 90 - 100 seats
Terrace with wonderful view towards Schlögenere Schlinge
Warm cuisine daily 10.00 - 14.00 (except day off = Wednesday)
Specialities/Smankerl/Hausmannskost
The inn is located directly on the "Donausteig" or "Donausteigrunde" and the "Schlögener-Blick" Very good regional cuisine, large terrace.
We offer Austrian, down-to-earth food and all kinds of good wines from our rustic wine cellar. Which you can enjoy with our good Mühlviertler delicacies. Fantastic views of Europe's second longest river and the passing ships. Forget your everyday life, enjoy cosiness and tranquillity.
The gentle lapping of the water, the singing of the birds and the sun's rays winking through the leafy canopy. Our guest garden in the green invites you to linger. Our nature shows its best side especially in the Danube valley. Many excursion destinations await you, which you can hike to strengthen yourself.
Cosy inn with a family atmosphere and regional cuisine.
Ideal starting point for bike tours (bike rental) and hikes.
Swimming pool, vitality area, sauna-vitarium, relaxation oasis, vitamin bar, sun terrace and sunbathing lawn.
Seating inside the inn: 40
Seating outside: 20
12 beds, shower/WC, phone, TV.
Cyclists' meeting on the Danube Cycle Path Passau-Vienna.
The cozy and beautiful guest garden is located directly on the Danube.
We spoil you with refreshing drinks, a good snack, coffee and homemade cakes as well as delicious ice cream.
In addition to regional cuisine for our guests, we are happy to host your birthday party, company celebration, etc.
We can be reached under the telephone number 0664-73493393.
The cozy and beautiful guest garden is located directly on the right bank of the Danube opposite the village of Obermühl. You will find the house exactly at river kilometer 2177.4 km. The cycle path from Passau to Vienna leads right past.
The village of Inzell is 5 km up the Danube and the Schlögener Schlinge is 8 km up the Danube. The village of Kobling is located in the municipality of Haibach ob der Donau. The village of Haibach is located in the upper part of the Danube valley after an ascent of around 4 km.
Brand-name bikes in a favourable price range are waiting for you to pick them up. Repairs are also carried out and spare parts are available.
We hire out as-new MTBs, trekking bikes, city bikes and children's bikes, perfectly maintained by our service team!
Guests staying overnight in Haibach receive special discounts.
Info: Gemeindeamt St. Agatha
Tel.: +43 (0) 72 77 / 82 55-20
Wertvolle Kulturlandschaft…
Das Wechselspiel von naturnahen Bächen, Tobeln, Waldungen, landwirtschaftlichen Nutzflächen und Siedlungen sorgt für ein recht harmonisches Landschaftsbild im Sauwald. Die Hochlagen sind wichtige direkte Sichtverbindungen zu angrenzenden Landschaften wie dem Mühlviertel oder dem Donautal. Der Kulturlandschaftscharakter wird durch Dörfer, Weiler und Einzelgehöfte, kleine Hügel und Senken sowie große und kleine Bacheinschnitte geprägt. Diese Besonderheit des Sauwaldes gilt es zu erhalten – etwa die Sicherung und Entwicklung von Strukturelementen wie Feldgehölzen, Einzelbäumen, Hecken, Hohlwegen, Lesesteinhaufen und Wällen. Sie erfreuen nicht nur unser Auge, sondern sind wichtige Lebensräume für eine Vielzahl von Pflanzen und Tieren.
Der Schnaps - weithin bekannt als echtes Teufelszeug - geht angeblich wirklich auf den Leibhaftigen zurück. In "Der Teufel braut Schnaps" wird von der Enstehung des hochprozentigen Trunkes erzählt.
Information: Gemeindeamt
Tel.: +43 (0) 77 18 / 72 55-11 od. 12
Donauschlucht und kleine Täler…
Der Sauwald und die Donauschlucht sind über kleinere Gewässer eng verbunden. Ein weitläufiges Netz kleinerer Fließgewässer durchzieht den Sauwald. Zu einem großen Teil sind diese noch als sehr naturnah zu bezeichnen. Ein gewundener Verlauf, gehölzbestockte Ufer und vielfältige Bett- und Sohlstruktur sorgen für ein natürliches Erscheinungsbild. Die Gewässergüte hat sich in den letzten Jahren erheblich verbessert. Leider ist die Belastung der Gewässer durch Schadstoffeinträge dennoch so hoch, dass gewisse Tierarten wie Krebse, Steinfliegen und Flussperlmuschel – ursprünglich in diesen Gewässern heimisch - nicht bestehen können. Die Gewässer am Nordrand des Sauwaldes entwässern direkt in die Donau, manche von ihnen haben sich wildromantische Talschluchten geschaffen.
Zwischen Wesenufer und Schlögen, wo sich heute Felder ausbreiten, war früher eine reiche, prunkvolle Stadt. "Die Stadt, die unterging" riss auch ihre Bewohner mit sich - warum? Das weiß die Donau-Sage.
The rest areas consist of an exposed concrete column, reminiscent of a Roman milestone, bearing a Roman head created by artist Miguel Horn and containing information about the local community, the Danube cycle path and the Romans, as well as a 5 metre long rest bench made of concrete and stone and a paved floor made of Danube pebbles. The architecture is based on design elements from Roman times.
The design for the Roman rest areas was the result of a competition organised jointly with the University of Art and Design Linz and won by student Lukas Beltrame. An important partner in the construction of the squares is the construction academy in Steyregg, which produced all the built-in parts for the squares with its apprentices.
Das Donautal hat ein äußerst ästhetisches Erscheinungsbild, das seinen Höhepunkt wohl hier in der Donauschlinge Schlögen findet. Hier zeigt sich die Kraft und Schönheit der Natur.
Die Donauschlinge Schlögen wurde 2008 zum „Naturwunder Oberösterreich´s“ ernannt. Diese – epigenetische Durchbruchstal genannt – Rarität ist entstanden, als sich die Donau in den weichen Schichten des Tertiär ihr mäanderförmiges Bett suchte und dieses später auf dem harten Granitgestein beibehalten musste. Durch die nachfolgende Hebung der Landmasse grub sich die Donau fast 300 m tief ein und schuf auf diese Weise das Engtal, welches in der Schlögener Donauschlinge nahezu einen vollen Kreis bildet.
The new "Tilli" inn is located directly in the centre of Haibach ob der Donau.
120 seats and a guest garden (with playground for the little ones) invite you to linger and enjoy the traditional and regional cuisine.
Especially for family, Christmas and birthday celebrations, christenings, meetings and conferences, the guest room can be partitioned off so that approx. 35 people can celebrate or discuss undisturbed.
Since we attach great importance to the origin of the food in our inn, as well as to the cooperation with local producers, we obtain a large part of our products directly from the region:
- Meat and sausage products from Hartkirchen and the surrounding area (Ozlberger family).
- Bread and pastries from Haibach (Scheuer Bakery family)
- Fruit and vegetables from Pupping (Berner family)
- Eggs and pasta from Haibach (Weißhäupl family)
In this family-run business flat-bottom wooden boats (Zille) are built in different variations depending on the customer requirements. Traditional boats are offered in many variations just the same as ferries or boats for fishing. In addition, wooden sailing boats, built according to the idea of the sailing icon Hubert Raudaschl, are offered.
Besides the standard boat shapes we are very flexible in terms of the shape of the boat, the interior and the body. You can let us know your expectations in a personal talk and we will try to fulfil them.
Since 1820 the family Königsdorfer builds the for the Danube region typical flat-bottom wooden boats. The head of the house, Rudolf Königsdorfer, is one of the last boat builder on the Danube and ensures that every year about 80 handmade flat-bottom wooden boats leave his house.
And they still do much of old boat building tradition. 200 years of traditional knowledge.
Public Transit
How to get to the Upper Austria Danube region?
The fastest way to your destination – by train, bus, car, ship, or airplane.
Parking
Free parking spaces in the Wesenufer district near the ship dock
- 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 - R1.04 Donauschlingen round
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