Wilhering: Bauern- und Holzknechtrunde

Description:

SPIRITUAL HIKING ON THE DONAUSTEIG:

The Cistercian Abbey Wilhering lies on the Upper Austria Way of St. James, East-West-North route.
The Cistercians emerged as a Benedictine reform branch in the 12th century to live more simply again. Especially important for the further development of this order was Bernard of Clairvaux. From him comes the letter to his former monk Pope Eugene III:  
„Whoever treats himself badly, to whom can he be good? So remember: Be good to yourself. I don't say: Do it always, I don't say: Do it often, but I say: Do it again and again. Be there for yourself as for everyone else.“

History of the abbey:
In 1146 the abbey was founded by the Lords of Wilhering. The monastery was almost completely destroyed by a fire in 1733 but magnificently rebuilt. In 1940 it was expropriated under the National Socialist regime. The monks returned to Wilhering after the war ended. 

„Spiritual Center Aufbruch“
In 1995, the "Spiritual Youth Center Aufbruch" was established. It is supported by an association to which Wilhering Abbey, various religious communities, and individual members belong. On a self-catering basis with simple accommodation, it is gladly used by many groups.

Tip – a look at the bloom splendour of the abbey nursery is a delight. Interested persons can create their own perfume here and take it home.

 On the "Bauern-und Holzknechtrunde" I take with me the text from Bernard of Clairvaux:
„Whoever treats himself badly, to whom can he be good? So remember: Be good to yourself. I don't say: Do it always, I don't say: Do it often, but I say: Do it again and again. Be there for yourself as for everyone else.“

Directions:
From the starting point (ferry landing) in Wilhering, we do not follow the Danube Trail but go uphill towards the federal road. We follow it towards Linz and after about 100 meters turn right. We go up the hill between two houses and keep left. Over a field path we climb the hill to Rosenfeld and enjoy beautiful views into the Danube valley, the foothills of the Alps, the Mühlviertel, Pöstlingberg, and Wilhering. On the other side, we keep left after a farmhouse and turn right after a large company building uphill into the Kürnberger Forest. We cross it and after about 3.5 km turn west. The path then leads down again to the elongated settlement of Mühlbach. The last part before the houses is a beautiful hollow path with a small nature trail. After crossing the federal road, we turn right into Lindenweg. We follow the street which becomes a field path after the last house. Through the fields, it goes uphill to the crest, after crossing it and visiting the 1000-year-old lime tree, we reach Schönering. Through the underpass beneath the Eferding federal road, we continue straight and after the former secondary school turn left. We keep our current direction until we leave the village at the last farmhouse. Along a gravel walking path, we pass another farm (Piesmayr) and keep right. Now it goes through the cultural landscape past a pub back towards the Danube; the path follows the road northeast. At the next intersection, we turn left towards Fall or Ottensheim power plant. From Fall, we go along the fish educational trail and follow the Danube Trail back to Wilhering.Tip:
Wonderful view at Rosenfeld over the foothills of the Alps, into the Danube valley, the Mühlviertel region up to the Pöstlingberg, panoramic view to the Alpine chain at the natural monument 1000-year-old lime tree, opportunity to visit the Majadini alpacas by appointment, large playground in the village of Schönering with fitness park, culturally interesting Gothic church St. Stephan with ribbed vault, shortcut via Renaturation Roßbach or "DementFit" path. Worthwhile detour to the power plant and fish migration aid; fish educational trail with 40 display panels about native fish species in the Danube, Roman resting place, cable bridge, leisure area by the Danube in Ufer, further detour via idyllic towpath to Wilhering Abbey with Rococo church, abbey museum, beautiful abbey park, and tree educational trail.Equipment:
Hiking backpack (incl. rain cover), sturdy footwearAdditional information:

Wilhering Municipal Office
Linzer Straße 10
4073 Wilhering
Tel.: 0043(0)7226/2255
Fax: 0043(0)7226/3095
gemeinde@wilhering.at
www.wilhering.at

www.stiftwilhering.at