Donausteig Stage 1_N02 Obernzell - Niederranna "Between Danube Stream and High Plateau"

This Donausteig stage starts in Obernzell. The historic Danube market lies nestled in the forested breakthrough valley of the upper Danube on the Bavarian side. The beautiful town center impresses with neat facades and tells of prosperity through salt, melting pots, kaolin, … - a multifaceted pearl of the Danube! From the Donausteig starting point, we follow the mighty Danube stream along the Danube riverside road about 2.5 km downstream. Passing ships and magnificent views underline the fascination of the “Danube valley” on the way. At the Kohlbachmühle, the forest ascent begins through the Danube slopes, which are under nature protection, up to the high plateau of the Bavarian Forest above. This leads over the Kohlbach ravine on forest paths and a short stretch of footpath up to the upper forest edge of the Danube slopes. Arriving at the atmospheric high plateau, a gently rolling cultural landscape shapes the scenery: lush meadows, fertile fields, traditional farming hamlets, small forest patches, … pure rural idyll! On farm roads and field paths, we leisurely hike in a wide right curve across the rural plateau and finally return to the Danube slopes. A magnificent hiking path now leads through the original mixed forest of the valley flank, always close to its upper edge. A highlight here is the Kapelle Ebenstein with its legendary deep view into the Danube valley – simply inspiring! In the village Riedl, we briefly emerge onto the high plateau and discover the Neujochenstein castle ruins. Then follows one of the most beautiful descents through the Danube slopes to the Danube. After a short forest path to the Dantlbach (state border Germany-Austria), we descend via the wild romantic Öttlsteig: original mixed forest, rare blockfields, “alpine” path, … an experience in itself! Several stations of the LIFE natural forest trail also help us recognize the natural treasures of the valley flank. Along the wide Danube stream, we continue on the quiet riverside road to the Engelhartszell ferry. From there, steeply climbs the idyllic Frauensteig, also called the smuggler's path, through the well-known beautiful mixed forest of the Danube slopes back up to the high plateau – now that of the Mühlviertel Highlands. At the top, we follow the forest edge of the valley flank downstream and thus reach the legendary Penzenstein, the highlight of this stage! The rocky ledge behind its popular forest chapel opens wonderful deep views into the Danube valley, especially towards Engelhartszell. Afterwards, we hike through the rural cultural landscape of the high plateau. Farm roads, field, and forest paths take us in a wide right curve past Pühret back to the forest of the Danube slopes. Now an idyllic forest path accompanies the terrain edge. The rocky ledge of the Pühretstein again offers inspiring deep views – a place for contemplation! One last short detour onto the plateau, then we slowly descend past Schloss Rannariedl to the Danube. The last part of the trail runs along the towpath to Niederranna. Between Danube stream and high plateau – pure fascination “Danube valley”!

Discover the following special features with the Donausteig diary:

- Obernzell—from fire pots and white earth

- Kaolin—the secret of porcelain

- Donausteig starting point "Obernzell"

- Schloss Obernzell—a bishop's summer residence

- The Danube, a water play

- Caution, shallows!

- View "Kasten & Vichtenstein"

- Wayside cross—thank God!

- ...

Download: Donausteig diary Stage 1_N02 Obernzell-Niederranna

From the Donausteig starting point "Obernzell", we follow the Danube about 2.5 km downstream. First along the Danube riverside promenade, then beside the Danube riverside road. At the Kohlbachmühle the Donausteig turns left and follows the Kohlbach on forest paths into its ravine. After a footbridge, a short footpath leads up the right valley flank to the next forest road. Continue right on this to the Donausteig rest area "Kapelle Endsfelden" at the upper forest edge of the Danube slopes. On the rural high plateau, we now follow a farm road through Endsfelden to Stollberg. Here, keeping right, we pass Hitzing and then, after a short forest section, turn right at the crossroads towards Krottenthal. Before this settlement, turn left on the field path in a right curve to a Donausteig bench. Then we come straight across the crossroads to the inn Riedler Hof. There also straight across the crossroads and follow the asphalt road for about 130 m. Then a field path leads right to the forest edge and follows it downstream. Soon the Donausteig enters the forest of the Danube slopes and follows their upper terrain edge. Passing the Kapelle Ebenstein, we reach the village Riedl. Here turn right downhill to the Neujochenstein castle ruins (Donausteig rest area). Afterwards, a short forest path leads down to the Dantlbach (state border Germany-Austria). Straight ahead, the Danube power plant Jochenstein about 2 km away can be reached. However, we hike left along the wildly romantic Öttl-Steig through the steep Danube slopes downstream to the Danube current, where an asphalted riverside path takes us downstream to the ferry at Engelhartszell. From there, we climb left over the wonderful Frauensteig, also called the smuggler's path, through the forest of the steep Danube slopes up to the rural high plateau. At the top, turn right following the forest edge to the Penzenstein (Donausteig rest area). After about 360 m on the subsequent asphalt road, turn right towards the forest and cross it diagonally. A side road then leads straight into the village of Pühret. At the eastern village exit, turn right to the cemetery. The asphalt road turns into a wonderful forest path, which leads us past the Pühretstein in a left curve back to the fields. Just before the farm settlement Dorf, the Donausteig turns right and soon follows an idyllic footpath through the forest of the Danube slopes to the Donausteig rest area "Bastei Schloss Rannariedl". Then a short stretch of road downhill, past Schloss Rannariedl, then left down a forest path to the Rannamühle (Donausteig starting point) at the Danube bank. After the Ranna bridge, we walk right along the Danube towpath to the Donausteig starting point "Niederranna" in front of the Gasthof Draxler in Niederranna.

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

Discovery journeys with a delightful stopover! This route passes directly by the following culinary partner:

• Schoko-Laden Wöss

WGD Donau Upper Austria Tourism GmbH
Lindengasse 9
4040 Linz, Austria
Tel. +43(0)732/7277-800
Fax. +43(0)732/7277-804
info@donausteig.com

Tourist Information Obernzell
Marktplatz 42
94130 Obernzell
Tel. +49(0)8591/9116119
Fax: +49(0)8591/9116150
tourismus@obernzell.de
www.obernzell.de

Tourism Association Pfarrkirchen i.M.
Tel. +43(0)7285/415 Fax: 415-4
pfarrkirchen@oberoesterreich.at
www.oberoesterreich.at/pfarrkirchen