--- title: "Niederkappel: Donauschlingenweg" url: "https://www.donauregion.at/en/oesterreich-tour/detail/430001467/niederkappel-donauschlingenweg.html" description: "Short description:\"Haichenbach ruin\", \"Nature Trail Donauschlinge\"Recommended season:AprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberProperties:LoopScenicRefreshment stops availableGeological highlightsBotanical highlights" date: 2022-02-01 modified: 2026-03-06 --- # Niederkappel: Donauschlingenweg Niederkappel: Donauschlingenweg ================================= **Starting place:** 4133 Niederkappel **Destination:** 4133 Niederkappel ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/241193/F61CE130CC5FEC4F4FE286B24EF7CBF1F5065B0AAED5F43A62EAF8916E7B2E0D/rastplatz-ramesedt.jpg) ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/415909/4564A219FDD05770A285B77650F93740B3F0003FA25EB6D9C9C6090FD2431DA8/burgruine-haichenbach.jpg) ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/415910/A2B4AF691AE79E0303374CF00EC9834789FB7ED948D280F5F7986919BA9DDDF1/burgruine-haichenbach.jpg) © Open copyright © Gemeinde Niederkappel Close copyright [ ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/241193/F61CE130CC5FEC4F4FE286B24EF7CBF1F5065B0AAED5F43A62EAF8916E7B2E0D/rastplatz-ramesedt.jpg "© Gemeinde Niederkappel") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/241193/F61CE130CC5FEC4F4FE286B24EF7CBF1F5065B0AAED5F43A62EAF8916E7B2E0D/rastplatz-ramesedt.jpg) © Open copyright © CC-BY-ND, © Oberösterreich Tourismus Donau OÖ | Robert Maybach Close copyright [ ![Haichenbach castle ruins](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/415909/4564A219FDD05770A285B77650F93740B3F0003FA25EB6D9C9C6090FD2431DA8/burgruine-haichenbach.jpg "© CC-BY-ND, © Oberösterreich Tourismus Donau OÖ | Robert Maybach") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/415909/4564A219FDD05770A285B77650F93740B3F0003FA25EB6D9C9C6090FD2431DA8/burgruine-haichenbach.jpg) © Open copyright © CC-BY-ND, © Oberösterreich Tourismus Donau OÖ | Robert Maybach Close copyright [ ![Haichenbach castle ruins](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/415910/A2B4AF691AE79E0303374CF00EC9834789FB7ED948D280F5F7986919BA9DDDF1/burgruine-haichenbach.jpg "© CC-BY-ND, © Oberösterreich Tourismus Donau OÖ | Robert Maybach") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/415910/A2B4AF691AE79E0303374CF00EC9834789FB7ED948D280F5F7986919BA9DDDF1/burgruine-haichenbach.jpg) © Open copyright © CC-BY-ND, © Oberösterreich Tourismus Donau OÖ | Robert Maybach Close copyright [ ![Haichenbach castle ruin](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/415911/0F9527E3B9FB570198C351A1F2FD9766E48A45E62C1AFDE1674E6AEC0A92E08C/burgruine-haichenbach.jpg "© CC-BY-ND, © Oberösterreich Tourismus Donau OÖ | Robert Maybach") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/415911/0F9527E3B9FB570198C351A1F2FD9766E48A45E62C1AFDE1674E6AEC0A92E08C/burgruine-haichenbach.jpg) © Open copyright © CC-BY-ND, © Oberösterreich Tourismus Donau OÖ | Robert Maybach Close copyright [ ![Haichenbach castle ruins](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/415912/00D0D69BEAFDFC8E4EADABB65531DDA45BA1D7F39326D64FF567D761031BE0E1/burgruine-haichenbach.jpg "© CC-BY-ND, © Oberösterreich Tourismus Donau OÖ | Robert Maybach") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/415912/00D0D69BEAFDFC8E4EADABB65531DDA45BA1D7F39326D64FF567D761031BE0E1/burgruine-haichenbach.jpg) © Open copyright © CC-BY-ND, Weissenbrunner / WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Weissenbrunner, Weissenbrunner Close copyright [ ![Panorama Kerschbaum](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/392754/595A5A47824120799D0C0D443F99605FDB31B7EFEF44168AF49D9AC74008BE3C/panorama-kerschbaum.jpg "© CC-BY-ND, Weissenbrunner / WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Weissenbrunner, Weissenbrunner") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/392754/595A5A47824120799D0C0D443F99605FDB31B7EFEF44168AF49D9AC74008BE3C/panorama-kerschbaum.jpg) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Circular route Lindengasse 9 4040 Linz [ open in Google Maps ](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Lindengasse%209%2C%204040%20Linz "Link will open in a new window") [ Open in Apple Maps ](https://maps.apple.com/place?address=Lindengasse%209%2C%204040%20Linz "Link will open in a new window") ![](https://static.ecmaps.de/staticmap.jpg?experience=webarchitektur-meta&width=991&height=450&project=ttg-osm-summer-original&path=enc:c{xfHqbvsA|@Qp@mBdDr@`D|AhGlAfAc@rCeClAHMj@dEoCZAZNPj@VrGLr@h@fA\@hLoJZXJhFGzChAz@Lj@aCbM_BpEi@`Cs@rFu@bCu@nEg@rGG?r@pNUxFs@`EAzAQrAeE~JCbQHd@VXdBVf@j@bCpNj@C^R?fChChD~DGRn@BjFRx@jItDYbBeA^cAzCaAfFRvAv@`@?n@Wb@@n@`AbAh@UnEoHj@f@|AFn@j@Dp@SvCd@z@x@DL\GlD`AtAXD~@c@p@?o@fCEhDFlCpAlJz@gAbDkBfFaFlAWbGI`CoAvAqAz@c@jADbCfBzAh@fAIpD}@x@s@bBmDlCwCxB{EhAyA\g@dFyD|IeQnHuDfCuDl@Qt@{@dBgALuAbAuBnAaBh@mDISCkAKYCLA_@IFYs@?Ud@eBF_ArAeEd@sFT}Ev@eDJuBJc@F}BQqG^qBhAiBFuEYqA{AqBwBsE?Qe@f@mAtBmAvC_CrIkI|i@}AlIiBzFuBbDqMlMaFzGaA`Ak@RWEcExCm@JiBbBoEnAa@?k@h@w@O_@TuAOq@HaBa@_CgAo@C[]u@A]XuAi@Yc@oCyA}@wC_BkC{BgGeCaFe@wEaA_C?wROgFp@gD@eAfA{JfAcBZkAjA_CREVk@n@iDhDyDb@wAZ_C~@_DdAw@zAmE@_@Ye@d@eCb@oA|AmL~@qKnAsUDcFe@sFHcDEeCy@kH{A_Jo@aCmAoDeDqHqMoU}CmEuJyVeJwLs@qAm@gBo@{C_@eCU}CEiDc@[Kg@?{Bc@q@HuBQu@Bv@Id@WZWxBwCtKi@dIa@hBDv@`@hACb@eAt@c@pBKnBF|APf@d@b@D\Wx@SHw@]QHMP@h@a@jAg@v@eCHSI_@s@BZZtFk@fDSzGf@dB|@bB|@nCx@Ze@nJOG[cAgAgBq@nAw@b@{@bDyBxFsAlBKn@Lb@h@F|AURPI~@y@`EYp@cDtCuDbHmDpD@`A_@`G_ASULOxAo@fCIAo@bBa@T&server=meta.tourdata.at) **Short description:** "Haichenbach ruin", "Nature Trail Donauschlinge" **Recommended season:** - April - May - June - July - August - September - October **Properties:** - Loop - Scenic - Refreshment stops available - Geological highlights - Botanical highlights **Description:** **INTERESTING POINTS ALONG THE WAY**: **Legendary cultural life:** - **Mühlviertler Dom** Mon – Sun 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. - **Rudolf Kirchschläger Center**, advance registration requested - **Haichenbach ruin** **Nature & movement**: - **Nature Trail Donauschlinge**: sturdy footwear **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." - I experience the Danube from the north side and enjoy a grand view. - Marveling at the wonderful impressions of nature, inhaling the beauty. - The Danube does not always flow straightforwardly; it has found its way where it was possible to pass. - What could that mean for me? **Directions:** 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:** - The "Mühlviertler Dom" (built 1891) Impressive church in the Neo-Renaissance style, baptismal church of former Federal President Rudolf Kirchschläger - Discovery journeys with a tasty stop! This route leads directly past the following culinary partner: [Donautaler Mostkellerei](https://www.donauregion.at/oesterreich-poi/detail/430026484/donautaler-mostkellerei.html) **Safety guidelines:** 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](http://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 [ Tour and route information ](#ttgCollapseTourdetails) --------------------------------------------------------- **Starting place:** 4133 Niederkappel **Destination:** 4133 Niederkappel **duration:** 6h 30m **length:** 19,3 km **Altitude difference (uphill):** 473m **Altitude difference (downhill):** 473m **Lowest point:** 280m **Highest point:** 604m **difficulty:** medium **condition:** medium **panoramic view:** Dreamtour **Paths covering:** Asphalt, Path / trail, Gravel, Street, Hiking trail **Starting point:** Niederkappel - village square **Destination:** Niederkappel - village square **further information:** - Circular route - Board possible [ ![Altitude profile Niederkappel: Donauschlingenweg](//static.et4.de/ElevationProfileChart/Go.ashx?Experience=hoehenprofil-meta&Server=meta.tourdata.at&AddElevations=true&AddOfftrackWaypoints=false&AddSurfaces=true&AddWaypoints=false&globalid=tourdata_tour_430001467&width=355&height=250&FontSize=12&mkt=en) ![Altitude profile Niederkappel: Donauschlingenweg](//static.et4.de/ElevationProfileChart/Go.ashx?Experience=hoehenprofil-meta&Server=meta.tourdata.at&AddElevations=true&AddOfftrackWaypoints=false&AddSurfaces=true&AddWaypoints=false&globalid=tourdata_tour_430001467&width=450&height=350&mkt=en) ](#ttgHoehenprofilModal "Niederkappel: Donauschlingenweg") [ Along the trail ](#ttgCollapseAnDerStrecke) ----------------------------------------------- ![Cafe-Bäckerei Pumberger](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/396401/003D7AB771E74B403F70BC0F88671570335D722BB1C6F4029BB2440A06CAC56A/cafe-baeckerei-pumberger.jpg "Cafe-Bäckerei Pumberger") Cafe-Bäckerei Pumberger Many delicacies from the in-house bakery can be enjoyed in the integrated, cosy café. [ ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/151955/52D1BA4C11E0FA42A198A04C0BF3057CA7EBFF0D2AA325834428207DAA5A989A/unser-haus.jpg "unser Haus") Ferienwohnung Familie Jäger ](https://www.donauregion.at/en/cycling/oesterreich-unterkunft/detail/430020344/ferienwohnung-familie-jaeger.html) ![GH Wakolbinger](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/396395/7D57CC60C8E2BD1C6FDDE80EF72D617D74FD125250C126A216DC9ECC223426BE/gh-wakolbinger.jpg "GH Wakolbinger") Gasthaus zum Mühlviertler Dom Cosy inn to stop off at in any season ![Mühlviertler Dom](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/396394/8BAB3158775C0B61AFB8C0DC68D611D2826250EB271A3FF33FE5F105D1E87647/muehlviertler-dom.jpg "Mühlviertler Dom") Mühlviertel's Cathedral 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 village. ![Panorama Kerschbaum](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/392754/595A5A47824120799D0C0D443F99605FDB31B7EFEF44168AF49D9AC74008BE3C/panorama-kerschbaum.jpg "Panorama Kerschbaum") Panoramablick Kerschbaum ![Panorama Ruine Haichenbach](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/393715/C1DF289AE88DEB09DD000F57A90E3DDF3CFA8AE961FD337B7B7D1B171559837F/panorama-ruine-haichenbach.jpg "Panorama Ruine Haichenbach") Panoramablick Ruine Haichenbach [ ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/108962/670FEB5019755B284F9F1E825AB9FDDCCA3158E36017C3CC890D0918464B47DF/bauernhof-pumberger.jpg "Bauernhof Pumberger") Private room at the Pumberger farm ](https://www.donauregion.at/en/cycling/oesterreich-unterkunft/detail/102226/private-room-at-the-pumberger-farm.html) ![Goldammer](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/400513/D84632DB717675FB07AC6130FF961C21A30A2EA498CE1787846CD932A83372DA/goldammer.jpg "Goldammer") Rastplatz Grafenau 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"](http://www.donauregion.at/detail/article/das-steinerne-heu.html) erzählt, wie dieser See zu seinem Namen kam. [ © Open copyright © Copyright: Tourismusverband Niederkappel Close copyright ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/189523/1770EA633F0AC994EC3B276783104D9F2A30C9BD2D1E8555DB44AE6447D86109/cafe-baeckerei-pumberger.jpg "Cafe-Bäckerei Pumberger (© Copyright: Tourismusverband Niederkappel)") Cafe-Bäckerei Pumberger ](https://www.donauregion.at/en/cycling/oesterreich-gastronomie/detail/430005371/cafe-baeckerei-pumberger.html) [ Dr Rudolf Kirchschläger Centre ](https://www.donauregion.at/en/cycling/oesterreich-poi/detail/400861/dr-rudolf-kirchschlaeger-centre.html) [ © Open copyright © Copyright: Gemeinde Niederkappel Close copyright ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/180712/34999E4F836306B3B1584C7F821D04A126D826FD6A897BA077CE7C01BDF5825A/gh-wakolbinger.jpg "GH Wakolbinger (© Copyright: Gemeinde Niederkappel)") Gasthaus zum Mühlviertler Dom ](https://www.donauregion.at/en/cycling/oesterreich-gastronomie/detail/100223/gasthaus-zum-muehlviertler-dom.html) [ © Open copyright © Copyright: Gasthof Gierlinger Close copyright ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/182986/A8B980CB8093DC82BF1222D7E9F85C34CE765EA416260DD952940101F4613714/gasthof-gierlinger.jpg "Gasthof Gierlinger (© Copyright: Gasthof Gierlinger)") Gasthof Gierlinger ](https://www.donauregion.at/en/cycling/oesterreich-gastronomie/detail/101847/gasthof-gierlinger.html) [ © Open copyright © Copyright: Susanne Posegga Close copyright ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/217684/EF604ABEF4D684DBFC53DFE24BE6679B0C6636DF9717FD5ACB5450EC02E634EE/donaubus-2017-neu.jpg "Donaubus 2017 neu (© Copyright: Susanne Posegga)") Longitudinal Au - Grafenau stop Inzell 2 ](https://www.donauregion.at/en/cycling/oesterreich-poi/detail/430019003/longitudinal-au-grafenau-stop-inzell-2.html) [ © Open copyright © Copyright: Werbegemeinschaft Donau Oberösterreich Close copyright ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/209620/6B67C01F4DEE71B1D945668003EB9DE4236A0CE456E92B49D31B9CDB5A92419A/rastplatz-kleine-muehl.jpg "Rastplatz Kleine Mühl (© Copyright: Werbegemeinschaft Donau Oberösterreich)") Rastplatz Kleine Mühl ](https://www.donauregion.at/en/cycling/oesterreich-poi/detail/430002426/rastplatz-kleine-muehl.html) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. [ Arrival ](#ttgCollapseAnreise) ---------------------------------- **Accessibility / arrival****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](http://www.oebb.at) Ship: [www.donauschiffahrt.de](http://www.donauschiffahrt.de) **Public Transit** Next train station: Neufelden Local buses: [www.ooevv.at](http://www.ooevv.at) **Parking** Place Niederkappel directly at the village square [ Suitability ](#ttgCollapseEignung) -------------------------------------- - Suitable for groups - Suitable for single travelers - Suitable for friends - Suitable for couples **Most economical season**- Spring - Summer - Autumn [ Accessibility ](#ttgCollapseBarrierefreiheit) ------------------------------------------------- Please get in touch for more information. [ Contact ](#ttgCollapseKontakt) ---------------------------------- **Niederkappel: Donauschlingenweg** WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH Lindengasse 9 4040 Linz Phone +43 732 7277 - 800Show no. Fax machine +43 732 7277 - 804 E-Mail [gemeinde@niederkappel.at](#mailto) Web [www.donauregion.at](https://www.donauregion.at "New window") https://www.donauregion.at https://www.donauregion.at --- **We speak the following languages** German Interactive elevation profile ------------------------------- [ Download GPS data ](https://gpsdownload.ttg.at?type=2030&ExperienceID=526&TourID=430001467&Format=GPX) [ Create PDF ](#ttgTourdataPdfModal430001467) [To the website](https://www.donauregion.at "New window") ### Altitude profile - Niederkappel: Donauschlingenweg Close ![Altitude profile Niederkappel: Donauschlingenweg](//static.et4.de/ElevationProfileChart/Go.ashx?Experience=hoehenprofil-meta&Server=meta.tourdata.at&AddElevations=true&AddOfftrackWaypoints=false&AddSurfaces=true&AddWaypoints=false&globalid=tourdata_tour_430001467&width=800&height=600&mkt=en) powered by [TOURDATA](https://www.tourdata.at "New window") [Suggest a change](#mailto) [ ![TOURDATA Logo](https://www.donauregion.at/fileadmin/templates/global/images/Logo-Tourdata.png "TOURDATA Logo") ](https://www.tourdata.at "New window")