The Strudengauer 9er - entire route

Description:
The special topography of the Strudengauer 9er allows hiking through 9 communities in one day. Leisure hikers divide the marathon route into several stages. In total there are 4 different routes: The Mystical, The Cozy, The Demanding and the Grein city walk. Each stage has a different theme and varies in walking duration, length, and difficulty level. The Strudengauer 9er, also known simply as the "9er", offers numerous hiking highlights such as the Mondstein, the Gobelwarte viewing platform in Grein, the Motor skills park Grein, as well as the wonderful view of the Danube at the rock gate. Besides demanding stages like the Matrassteig, there is also a cozy route with a unique panorama. The Grein city walk completes the hiking marathon and provides insight into the history of Grein city. Directions:

Starting from the hiking trail starting point Grein directly at the Danube shore, the route initially follows downstream to the mouth of the Greinerbach. From there, continue on the "Hermann-Wenigwieser-Weg" and Greinerbach street.  Cross the Greinerbach and before Bauernwieserweg hike on trail no. 7 to the Wassenberger chapel. Then awaits the Marienstein, a natural monument and mystical power place for the first rest. Continue on trail no. 7 to the Hintergruber farm. Cross B119 and the Gießenbach, then hike on trail no. 9 to the Hotel Aumühle. Passing the Aumühle continue on the Gießenbachtal service road northwards. Follow trail no. 11a on the Kleine Gießenbachrunde until you reach Klausmühle. Then on the Danube trail past Mitterlehner farm to the Mondstein. Here is a second rest with a view. The hike continues on the Danube trail past Kollroß chapel and Klein Eder farmhouse. Follow trail 5b on the Frauensteinrunde to the Frauenstein, the last of the three mystical stones. At the Geisberger farmhouse, a detour to Bad Kreuzen is possible; return via the Speckalm snack station (with a 24-hour hiker's fridge) on the Kreuzner Donaublickrunde. Continue on the Danube trail past the Mühlberg rest area (organic shop), then keep right and follow Kreuznerstraße on the Kreuzner Donaublickrunde.

Turn right at Greinerwaldstraße and follow the Austrian Romantic Road to the right turn to Lettental. Continue on the Kreuzner Donaublickrunde past Edenauhof towards Oberkalmberg. At Huber farm in the Hub turn left and follow the Kalmberg service road south. At the crossing with the Austrian Romantic Road turn right and shortly after Scherer farm turn left onto Unterhörnbach. Continue along the road to Unterhörnbach, then turn left towards Letten 8. Before the forested area turn right and follow the Danube trail 1 towards Reitberg Linde (panoramic view and natural monument). Continue on the Reitberg and Gschwendt service roads. Before the Kren chapel turn right from Reitberg service road onto Oberbergen service road and follow Danube trail 1 to the Gobelwarte viewpoint. After a break at Gobelwarte, follow Danube trail 1 again past Labegger farm to Grein. The descent to Grein on Danube trail 1 (Reitsteig) leads over a steep serpentines path with a wonderful view of Grein. The path then leads to Motor skills park Grein and along Kreuznerbach towards Bogenbrücke.

Turn right and pass Grein harbor and the Roman rest area, then exit the city on the Planet path. Directly next to the Danube, follow the towpath towards the bank and cross the Grein Danube bridge. After crossing the bridge, arrive at the hiking info point in Tiefenbach. Here is also the inn Zur Donaubrücke for a short break. In Tiefenbach near the parking, enter Matrassteig 463 or Gipfelstein/Brandstetterkogel path 463a. Following the switchbacks, a left turn appears onto Matrassteig towards Felsentor. Up to Felsentor, a demanding trail with safety ropes awaits, offering unique views over the Danube valley and Grein. Note: the Matrassteigdurchstieg does not lead to Gipfelstein; therefore, return on Matrassteig and at the fork this time take the right path. This route passes the Friedenskreuz uphill to Gipfelstein. Shortly after Gipfelstein, there is a steep descent before the last steep ascent to the shelter at Brandstetterkogel. Finally, descend to Wiesen and cross the Danube with the Danube ferry (9 a.m. - 6 p.m.!). After the ferry ride, return to the starting point (hiking trail starting point Grein Danube shore) and continue on the Grein city walk.

Variant 2 - Matrassteigdurchstieg:

Walk through Matrassteig 463 at Felsentor and thus reach the shelter at Brandstetterkogel or return via Wiesen to Grein using the Danube ferry. Walking Gipfelstein is then not necessary.

Alternative route without ferry:

Outside ferry operating hours, the route can also be hiked, though the duration (+1 hour) and length (+5 km) change. Alternative route: After descending to Wiesen, follow the street to the Danube ferry dock. Turn left at the dock and follow the paved road or Danube bike trail back towards Grein Danube bridge. After about 2 kilometers, cross the Danube bridge and turn right towards Grein. Follow the Danube bike trail on the opposite side of the Danube back to Grein harbor. Then via Bogenbrücke and Planet path return to the start or continue on the Grein city walk.

Grein city walk: This initially leads from the hiking trail starting point at the Danube shore in Grein on the Planet path eastwards directly along the Danube. At the end of the Danube shore, cross B3 and the Greinerbach, past the "Johannes von Nepomuk" statue. Then follow the sidewalk and turn left into the main street. Immediately in the curve is a detour via stairs to Kalvarienberg and the chapel. Follow the signs "Kalvarienberg" or "Gallery in Granite". Staying on the main street, follow it to the junction with Jubiläumsstraße and then turn left towards the town center. Then reach the historic town square with the town hall and historic city theater. Follow the signs to "Greinburg Castle". At the intersection, turn right into Kreuznerstraße and then left in Schlossgasse on a paved path towards Greinburg Castle. A narrow staircase leads left up to Greinburg Castle and then back via the paved road to Greinburgstraße.  Turn right and follow Herdmannweg towards Grein public pool. Cross Greinerwaldstraße and turn left before the pool into the small paved road towards the Danube; hike along Kreuznerbach to Motor skills park Grein.  Continue to Bogenbrücke at the harbor, then keep left again to reach the promenade and the Planet path. Follow the Danube path on the promenade back to the hiking trail starting point at the Danube shore - completion of the Strudengauer 9er and the hiking marathon. 

Tip:

• Mondstein


• Gobelwarte


• Motor skills park


• Planet path


• Matrassteig


• Summit cross


• Viktoria Adelheid shelter


• Danube ferry "UmiUma"


• Greinburg Castle

Safety guidelines:

The Matrassteig is not passable in ice and snow.

Additional information:

Bike and passenger ferry Grein - Wiesen:

Operating hours:

May and September: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

June to August: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

More information about the Danube ferry at: www.umiuma.at