Neustift: Bishop Firmian Path

Description:

INTERESTING POINTS ALONG THE WAY:

Legendary cultural life:

• Scharrer Wood Art Workshop


• Penzenstein Pilgrimage Chapel

Nature space & movement:

• Kneipp and fitness trail, 45 m high dam at the Ranna reservoir nature reserve


• Ranna valley


• Danube view Penzenstein

 

SPIRITUAL HIKING ON THE DONAUSTEIG:

Leopold Ernst Count of Firmian (1708 / 1783) 
He is regarded on the one hand as the last “Baroque prince” on the Passau bishop's throne and on the other as an important reformer. As an advisor to Empress Maria Theresa he initiated the school reform of 1769 / 74 and thus the introduction of compulsory education. To open up food sources for the population, he had large parts of the episcopal hunting grounds in the Bavarian Forest cleared, where the villages of Vorder-, Mitter- and Hinterfirmiansreuth (reuth = clearing) still recall his work. He was one of the first to promote religious tolerance and already allowed, for example, in 1777 the burial of Protestants in the Catholic cemetery. As one of only 70 cardinals worldwide at the time, he had influence on the world church in the sense of “finally out of the Middle Ages”.

On the "Bishop Firmian Path" I reflect on what I need to reform in my life.

Directions:

From the village center walk towards the Ranna reservoir and at the end of the village turn left (Kagerstraße). Follow the path down to the Konzinger footbridge (1.4 km) and cross the small bridge. Follow the path to the right along the lake shore (this section also features the Kneipp and fitness trail) to the Ranna dam (3.5 km). At the beginning of the stone wall, descend into the Ranna valley nature reserve (3.4 km) and follow the path for about 2 km downstream into an exciting natural area with different vegetation zones. From now on the path leads into the Ranna valley, which is a nature reserve due to its rare animal and plant life. At the 9th ford, leave the Ranna Gorge to the right, climb the path to Steinlacke (8.4 km) and then left towards Pühret. Past Guesthouse Weiss, walk to the Danube view at Penzenstein (10.3 km). Here you can enjoy the magnificent view over the Danube valley and the neighboring community of Engelhartszell. Follow the path along the edge of the forest towards “Frauensteig” (descent to the Danube) and continue to the Mollsberg farm road. Before Kleinmollsberg, turn right to Forstedt (12.1 km). Behind the Schürz guesthouse, a meadow path leads to Grub. Through a small forest you reach the state road, on which a short ascent takes you back to the starting point in Neustift (12.9 km).

Tip:

Located on the Danube ridge, between the Ranna and Danube valleys lies Neustift near the Bavarian border.
A holiday paradise for families, cyclists, and hikers.

Safety guidelines:
Hiking boots are recommendedEquipment:
Hiking backpack (incl. rain cover), sturdy footwearAdditional information:

Guest Association Neustift in Mühlviertel
Passauerstr. 14
4143 Neustift i.M.
Tel.: +43 (0)72 8481 55 or Tel. +43 (0)664 111 93 82

info@urlaub-neustift.at
www.familienurlaub-neustift.at

DONAU STEIG HOSTS ALONG THE ROUTE:

Family Guesthouse Weiss
Pühret 5, 4143 Neustift, Tel.: +43 7284 8104, www.familiengasthof-weiss.at
- Barbecue evenings from June – September, beer specialties, wellness oasis, 60 beds

Guesthouse Wundsam
Passauer Straße 1, 4143 Neustift, Tel.: +43 7284 8101, www.gasthaus-wundsam.at
- Kitchen is regional, seasonal, and fresh, with products from the surrounding region, 16 beds

Inn-Pension Luger
Kramesau 4, 4085 Wesenufer, Tel.: +43 7285 507, www.gasthhof-luger.co.at
- very good fish restaurant
- 16 beds