Donausteig stage 4_G03 Mauthausen - Perg: "Of Granite Art and Millstone Breakers"

Description:

The starting place for this Donausteig stage is Mauthausen. The Mühlviertler hill country drops steeply here to the Danube. The historic market lies directly on the Danube opposite the confluence with the Enns. The magnificent riverside and the charming town center testify to a prosperous past from tolls, salt, and granite. Unique in Mauthausen is the multitude of wonderful granite works – granite art of the highest perfection! We start at the magnificent promenade and follow the Danube to the old Heinrichskirche at the former salt dock of the market. Here we leave the Danube and leisurely hike over a partly forested ridge to the legendary Heinrichsbründl. Further downhill, we soon stand in the cultivated plains of Machland: small settlements, fertile fields, farmsteads, and small forest patches shape the landscape. Over quiet side roads and rural field paths, we walk through the expanse of Machland to the far side of the plain. The International Soldiers' Cemetery reminds us of the dark times in history. In the rural village of Aisthofen, once an important manor, a short ascent begins into the Mühlviertler hill country. After a few minutes, the Donausteig rest stop "Weinbau Gmeiner, Weinzierl" is reached – the scenic highlight of this stage! The views range from the mystical Ötscher in Mostviertel to the striking Traunstein in Salzkammergut. The hilly continuation passes variedly through open cultural landscape and shady forest sections. At the unusual Kalvarienberg Church of Perg, we are again at the edge of the Mühlviertler hill country – on a magnificent viewing balcony, the city of Perg and Machland lie at our feet. After a short descent, we stand at the atmospheric main square of the historic city of Perg, formerly well known for its millstone quarries – simply amazing!

Discover the following special features with the Donausteig diary:

- Mauthausen – the center of granite art

- Donausteig starting point "Mauthausen"

- Granite sculpture "Monolith with Bicycle"

- The Enns irons in the river

- Memorial stone "Roll Ferry"

- The Salt Tower – the "traffic light" of the Salt Road

- A fountain for the World Exhibition

- Heinrich Church – pilgrimage site of the salt traders

- ...

Download: Donausteig diary stage 4_G03 Mauthausen-Perg

Directions:

 From the Donausteig starting point at the promenade in Mauthausen, we follow the Heindlkai downstream along the Danube through the archway of the old shipmaster's house. A few meters later, we continue walking on Vormarktstraße, passing by Heinrichskirche. At the next major intersection, turn left into Vormarktstraße. After a few meters, a gravel road quickly leads uphill through the forest. At the T-junction in the settlement, keep right and a few meters later follow the left road. At the intersection with Eschenweg, turn right and go to the end of the settlement street (forest edge). There, a footpath and later a field or forest path branches off left. After a short time, the Heinrichsbründl is reached. We continue down the asphalt road and at the next intersection (large square farm) turn left into Gutshofweg. After crossing the railway tracks, go straight across the busy Freistädter Straße into Kindergartenstraße. The apartment blocks of Heinrichsbrunn are passed in a wide right curve. Then follow the wide Machlandstraße (separate pedestrian and bike lane) left over the fields. At the next junction (start of settlement), first turn left and then immediately right into Professor-Gerstmayr-Straße. Passing the International Soldiers' Cemetery, we reach the settlement Hinterholz. After a slight right curve, continue left towards Neuhart. By the houses of Neuhart, follow the field path over the fields to the left. On the asphalt road by the forest, first left and after a few meters at the forest edge (large tree shrine) immediately right again. Here we bypass the settlement Althart. At the next intersection, turn right and follow the asphalt road straight east. We cross the Naarn River and follow the field path initially upstream along the river, then straight over the fields to Aisthofen. There, we cross the main road by the large chapel. Now the asphalt road initially leads uphill, but quickly changes into a field path guiding us past the Donausteig rest stop "Weinbau Gmeiner, Weinzierl" to the rural village of Weinzierl. At the junction in the village, take the asphalt road on the left uphill. At the next junction (shortly before a chapel), turn left uphill again. The road now leads over a hilltop into a hollow. At the second junction there, turn right and follow the path through forest and meadows past a Donausteig viewpoint. In the settlement of Zeitling, first left and at the asphalt road left again. The small asphalt road leads in a wide curve to the northeast. At the next junction, turn right and initially follow a road, later a narrow footpath downhill to the cemetery of Perg. On the paved cemetery road, go briefly left uphill to the Kalvarienbergkirche. From there, a well-maintained footpath leads past two beautiful Donausteig viewpoints down to the cemetery road. Follow this left downhill to Linzerstraße. There, turn left and after about 100 meters, the main square of Perg with its Donausteig starting point is reached.

 
To help you with orientation, the Donausteig has its own orientation system – the description can be found here .

Tip:

• A stroll through the winding alleys of Mauthausen – the variety and detail of the granite works are simply amazing!


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  Discovery tours with a flavorful stop! This route passes directly by the following culinary partner:
  Weinbau Gmeiner in Perg

  
  

Equipment:
In addition to your personal hiking equipment, there are no special requirements. Regarding provisions, note that the catering establishments on this stage are only accessible by detours from the Donausteig!Additional information:

Mauthausen Tourism & Village and Town Development
Marktstraße 2
4310 Mauthausen
Tel.: +43(0)7238/2243 or 2023-0 Fax: DW-51
info@mauthausen.info
www.mauthausentourismus.com

City Marketing Perg
Dr.-Schober-Straße 10
4320 Perg
Tel.: +43(0)7262/53150 Fax: DW 16
info@perg.at
www.stadtmarketing.perg.at
www.perg.at