© Greinburg Castle © Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH / Susanne Einzenberger
Greinburg Castle © Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH / Susanne Einzenberger
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Danube Cycle Path Stage 1 North Bank: Passau - Schlögen

  • Suitable for families
  • culturally interesting
  • Multi-day tour

 Interactive elevation profile

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Tour-Details

Path number: E1-N
Starting place: 94032 Passau
Destination: 4085 Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis

duration: 3h 0m
length: 40,9 km
Altitude difference (uphill): 62m
Altitude difference (downhill): 84m

Lowest point: 276m
Highest point: 322m
difficulty: easy
condition: very easy
panoramic view: Dreamtour

Paths covering:
Asphalt

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roadblock: Akutmeldung/Sperre

Description:

Closure Power Station Crossing Jochenstein

In the course of the 2023 construction work, an increased need for renovation - due to age - arose, which was not yet apparent at the beginning of the renovation work. For this reason, the barrier will not be opened during the winter months of 2023/2024 as planned, but will remain in place until the end of October 2024.

Next crossing possibilities:

Engelhartszell ferry service: 26-29.10.2023. Then no ferry service until 20 April 2024.

For the Obernzell ferry, the winter timetable already applies until 12.05.2024: Monday to Friday from 08.30 to 16.30 hrs

Short description:
From the Bavarian Venice to the Giant of the Danube


Quality of experience: *****


Recommended season:
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November


Properties:
  • Multi-stage route
  • Scenic
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Family friendly
  • Cultural/historical value
  • Geological highlights
  • Botanical highlights
Description:
The north route or the south route? This is the first question you need to answer when starting your first stage, as you can approach your destination for today on both banks of the Danube. No matter what choice you make, before you start, you have a lot of time to visit Passau’s sights such as the old town, the residence and St. Stephen’s Cathedral (q.v. E1-S). As soon as you cross the Ilz on the Luitpold Bridge, two fortresses, Oberhaus and Niederhaus, bid you farewell from the Three River City. Oberhaus, which used to be the residence of the bishop of Passau, now houses a city museum and a medieval museum.

 


Soon thereafter you can already enjoy views of the sunny and impressive south-facing hillsides of the nature reserve Donauleiten, home to cyclamens, gorgeous Turk’s cap lilies and shimmering green lizards. Through the village of Erlau you continue the journey to Obernzell, where you can visit a pottery museum in the massive castle right at the river. As you continue your journey you are accompanied by the view of the enormous castle keep of the 12th c Vichtenstein Fortress on the other side of the river. On that side you can also see the Haugstein (895m) looming out of the Sauwald (forest), the highest elevation in the area.


 


 The “Haus am Strom” Nature Adventure Centre is shaped by an architect’s hand like “wave and pebble stone“ and has a special water elevator in store for you, among other things. A variety of interesting and fun nature tours help familiarize you with the local flora and fauna. Afterwards, if the sight of Engelszell Abbey on the opposite bank piques your curiosity, you can cross the Danube via the power station Jochenstein. On the north bank, you soon reach Niederanna (Danube bridge), where a builder of zillen (flat-bottomed boats common to the region) offers zillen rides on the Danube. It is not at all far from here to the ferry that will take you to Schlögen.



Directions:
Passau - Ilzstadt -Erlau - Obernzell -Niederranna -Schlögen

Route description


The stage begins right at the Passau train station. To go directly to the Danube, follow the signs “zum Donauradweg”. You catch your first glimpse of the river a few moments later. It will be your constant companion. You follow the Danube downstream and cross it over the Luitpoldbrücke (bridge). Already from here you can see the Veste Upper and Lower House, a center of power, residence,, administration building and fortress in one.


 


After crossing the Ilz bridge, you bear right and from this point onward, follow the sign-posted path along the Danube. Soon you reach the nature reserve Donauleiten, whose steep slopes mark the southern edge of the Bavarian Forest. The slopes are densely forested, so you catch only occasional glimpses of the bizarre rock formations located there. Due to the steep terrain and the south-facing orientation, nature in this area is largely untouched and has an impressive variety of flora and fauna.


 


In Erlau, you cross the creek of the same name and follow the bike path to Obernzell. The imposing 12th c Vichtenstein Castle comes into view on the opposite river bank along with the 895 m high Haugstein, a slightly offset rise regarded as the highest point in the Alpine foothills. A few kilometers downstream you come upon a hotel whose architecture is reminiscent of the shape of a wave (“Haus am Strom”). With its many fountains, an exhibition and beer garden with regional cuisine, the hotel is an inviting destination for a break. As an alternative to Weiterweg (path) with views of Engelszell Abbey, you can also cross the Danube over the Jochenstein power station and then take the Engelhartszell ferry back to the north bank.


 


Zillenverleih Witti in Niederranna is one of the last builders of zillen, flat-bottomed boats common to the region. Shortly after the Haichenbach ruins, the famous Schlögener meander begins, where the Danube forms a picturesque 180 ° curve. This stage ends here in Schlögen with a short ferry ride.


 

Starting point: Passau
Destination: Schlögen

further information:
  • Multi-day tour
  • Board possible

Accessibility / arrival

Getting there
Follow the E56 to the exit Passau-Mitte (116) and continue on the B12 in the direction of Fürstenzell/Donau. At the Danube turn right onto the B8/Regensburger Strasse and follow signs to the train station (Bahnhof).  

Public Transit
Take the train to the Passau main train station.

Parking
Parking in Passau.

Travelling by public transport
Route planner for independent travellers
  • Suitable for children
Most economical season
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn
  • Early winter

Please get in touch for more information.


Danube Cycle Path Stage 1 North Bank: Passau - Schlögen
WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH
Lindengasse 9
4040 Linz

Phone +43 732 7277 - 800
Fax machine +43 732 7277 - 804
E-Mail info@donauregion.at
Web www.donauregion.at
http://www.donauregion.at
http://www.donauregion.at

We speak the following languages

German

 Interactive elevation profile

Download GPS data
Create PDF

Tour-Details

Path number: E1-N
Starting place: 94032 Passau
Destination: 4085 Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis

duration: 3h 0m
length: 40,9 km
Altitude difference (uphill): 62m
Altitude difference (downhill): 84m

Lowest point: 276m
Highest point: 322m
difficulty: easy
condition: very easy
panoramic view: Dreamtour

Paths covering:
Asphalt

powered by TOURDATA | Suggest a change