St. Nikola: Werfenstein Castle hiking trail

Description:

POINTS OF INTEREST ALONG THE WAY:

Imperial toll house

Werfenstein Castle

Former Struden Boatmen's Church

Panoramic view Dichterstein

SPIRITUAL HIKING ON THE DONAUSTEIG:

St. Nicholas is regarded as the patron saint of shipping and the namesake of the community of St. Nikola. On the local postage stamp, he is depicted in bishop's attire on a boat, showing the importance of shipping for the community of St. Nikola.
Struden Boatmen's Church
Klamm cascades

On the spiritual Donausteig hiking trail "old paths – new traces" we have encountered many healing places and healing people. These people once set out with a vision, were on the way with great commitment, and arrived – at the many other people seeking help. Everything they set in motion has been carried forward to this day, everything they achieved shows its lasting effect to this day. Also, what we do in our lives will leave its traces.
"A stone falls into the water and secretly draws circles"

• On the "Werfenstein Castle hiking trail" I take the opportunity to throw a stone into the water (Danube, gorge, Giessenbach, Naarn...) and observe its circular movements.

Directions:

The circular hike begins at the Giessenbach Mill at the entrance to the Stillensteinklamm. Here you can take a short break before or after the hike at the Giessenbach Mill snack station and enjoy treats from the region. The route continues along the Donausteig towards Stillensteinklamm. After a few meters, the first granite blocks announce the entrance to the gorge. Small waterfalls and cascades delight the hiker's eye. After about 600 m, the path splits, and we go right along the forest path beside the Giessenbach to the log-jam area. The path now leads right and upwards through the forest and offers a beautiful view into the Giessenbach valley. After some time, we meet the Donausteig again. The forest path leads us to the viewpoint "Dichterstein".

The route continues through the forest to the rest area at the next viewpoint, the "Danube view." After the rest, the path descends to the district of Struden. Here you have a magnificent view of the section of the Danube valley in the Strudengau, once so feared in shipping. At the first houses in Struden, we turn right towards the Danube and pass by Werfenstein Castle into the town of Struden. From here, we follow the street to the sidewalk below Werfenstein Castle. It's worth looking up here. The Schusterstein juts like a massive stone nose from the castle courtyard over the Danube. Along the sidewalk by the B3, we reach our starting point at the Giessenbach Mill again within a few minutes.

Tip:
This route is presented to you by the Danube Upper Austria Tourist RegionEquipment:
Hiking backpack (including rain cover), sturdy footwearAdditional information:

 St. Nikola an der Donau Municipal Office

St. Nikola 16
4381 St. Nikola an der Donau
Tel.:0043(0)7268/8155
gemeinde@st-nikola.ooe.gv.at
www.st-nikola.at
www.oberoesterreich.at/st.nikola.donau

Willi's Mill Snack
Struden-Giessenbach
Tel.: 0043(0)69913030422
e-mail: muehle@struden.at
www.muehle.struden.at