--- title: Prälaten hike url: "https://www.donauregion.at/en/oesterreich-tour/detail/430008072/praelaten-hike.html" description: "Short description:The \"Prälatensteig\" passes by the market church, uphill until just before the end of the town. The path goes left between the houses to the Mühlbach. At the level of the abbey, it turns right into the monastery forest to the \"Haselmaus\" hut. Then on to the \"Sausenden Bach\", down to the old hammer mill. At the federal road, turn left along the edge of the forest to Engelszell Abbey and to the market town office.Quality of experience: ***Recommended season:AprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberProperties:LoopRefreshment stops availableFamily friendlyCultural/historical valueInsider tip" date: 2015-07-24 modified: 2026-03-05 --- # Prälaten hike Prälaten hike =============== **Starting place:** 4090 Engelhartszell **Destination:** 4090 Engelhartszell ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/396440/D2D50BCC5F536E473DFDBCDD62781764C97ABD3A311BC5AB773DC9F214B460CF/stift-engelszell.jpg) © Open copyright © CC-BY-ND, Verein Kultur und Tourismus an der Donau in Engelhartszell, Weidlinger Close copyright [ ![Engelszell Abbey](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/396440/D2D50BCC5F536E473DFDBCDD62781764C97ABD3A311BC5AB773DC9F214B460CF/stift-engelszell.jpg "© CC-BY-ND, Verein Kultur und Tourismus an der Donau in Engelhartszell, Weidlinger") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/396440/D2D50BCC5F536E473DFDBCDD62781764C97ABD3A311BC5AB773DC9F214B460CF/stift-engelszell.jpg) Lindengasse 9 4040 Linz [ open in Google Maps ](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Lindengasse%209%2C%204040%20Linz "Link will open in a new window") [ Open in Apple Maps ](https://maps.apple.com/place?address=Lindengasse%209%2C%204040%20Linz "Link will open in a new window") ![](https://static.ecmaps.de/staticmap.jpg?experience=webarchitektur-meta&width=991&height=450&project=ttg-osm-summer-original&path=enc:cx`gHgcyrAGtCjBhCtAiAfDPjDqAnA?dB`Bj@v@DqBViAhKKhCoAtEMjMeE`AEfBkFlDsFdOgNz@?dFbCzDtA|@h@cEwDkAkHH_ChA_DXsBLqEKaDo@aAq@pAg@{@qFhIiEnIwLrQaI`M{EjDBP_LdDsEdAsE{EeFiIsFnB_@dBgCtA}DxHCC&server=meta.tourdata.at) Circular route **Short description:** The "Prälatensteig" passes by the market church, uphill until just before the end of the town. The path goes left between the houses to the Mühlbach. At the level of the abbey, it turns right into the monastery forest to the "Haselmaus" hut. Then on to the "Sausenden Bach", down to the old hammer mill. At the federal road, turn left along the edge of the forest to Engelszell Abbey and to the market town office. **Quality of experience:** *** **Recommended season:** - April - May - June - July - August - September - October **Properties:** - Loop - Refreshment stops available - Family friendly - Cultural/historical value - Insider tip **Description:** The "Prälatensteig" leads from the market town office up the stairs to the market church, which can be visited during the day. Over the cemetery to the street and further uphill until just before the end of the town. The path turns left between the houses and leads along garden fences to the Mühlbach. At the level of Engelszell Abbey, it turns right into the monastery forest and further to the "Haselmaus" hut, which somehow resembles the fairy tale of "Hansel" and "Gretel". The path continues through the forest to the "Sausenden Bach". Here it goes down to the "former" hammer mill. At the federal road, turn left along the edge of the forest to Engelszell Abbey and back to the market town office.**Directions:** THE HASELMAUS STORY In 1955, a violent storm tore a wide path here in this romantically situated part of the monastery forest near Engelszell Abbey. While processing the wood, the hunter and hobby carpenter Friedrich Bernhofer (born 1920) had the idea, together with his son Friedi (born 1951), to build a small hut here for resting, snacking, and as shelter in bad weather. With much love and skill, a small hut was created from the wood of hazel shrubs. By chance, during the "construction work," hazel dormice kept appearing. The cute, brownish animals with a long, bushy tail, reminiscent of a miniature squirrel, proved to be very tame. Since they showed no fear of humans, Friedi later took a hazel dormouse home and also to elementary school, where it was enthusiastically admired by his classmates. After a "short vacation" of the hazel dormouse with the Bernhofers, the small forest resident was brought back to its original environment in the Trappist monks' forest. THE NEWLY ERECTED HUT WAS NAMED AFTER THIS SMALL RODENT AND HAS SINCE CARRIED THE NAME "HASELMAUS". IT THEN BECAME A POPULAR HIKING DESTINATION FOR THE PEOPLE OF ENGELHARTSZELL AND THE MANY SO-CALLED SUMMER GUESTS. Not only next to the hut, but also inside the small hut itself, hikers found a table with two benches for snacking and resting. Sometimes the monk from Engelszell Abbey probably took a break here, as he regularly had to travel the path day and night to the monastery's power plant at the nearby stream in the village of Saag to manually perform various switchings, which have long since been done automatically. The fact that the "Haselmaus" was frequently visited was proven by a guestbook with many entries. Opposite the hut on a tree right next to the hiking trail, there was a picture of Mary by the academic painter Käthe Herrmann-Bernhofer, showing the Mother of God surrounded by the animals of the forest. This original picture, the hut, and the resting benches were one day completely destroyed by unknown persons and thrown into the adjacent spruce forest. Later, a new hut was rebuilt on this site by the forest owner, Engelszell Abbey, which had become very dilapidated over the years. Only on the initiative of private individuals and the association "Culture & Tourism on the Danube" was a renovation phase of the "Haselmaus" and the hiking trail completed in 2021 in agreement with the abbey under the leadership of the very committed trail sponsor Gertrud Schneider. **Tip:** The "Prälat" is an ecclesiastical dignitary in the Christian church. The Trappists of Engelszell Abbey, Austria's only Trappist monastery, gave the hiking trail its name. In the monastery shop, Trappist beers and monastery liqueurs are available for purchase!**Equipment:** normal hiking equipment**Additional information:** [www.stift-engelszell.at](http://www.stift-engelszell.at) [ Tour and route information ](#ttgCollapseTourdetails) --------------------------------------------------------- **Starting place:** 4090 Engelhartszell **Destination:** 4090 Engelhartszell **duration:** 1h 25m **length:** 5,0 km **Altitude difference (uphill):** 119m **Altitude difference (downhill):** 119m **Lowest point:** 284m **Highest point:** 403m **difficulty:** easy **condition:** very easy **panoramic view:** Some Views **Paths covering:** Asphalt, Street **Starting point:** Market town office Engelhartszell **Destination:** Market town office Engelhartszell **further information:** - Circular route - Board possible [ ![Altitude profile Prälaten hike](//static.et4.de/ElevationProfileChart/Go.ashx?Experience=hoehenprofil-meta&Server=meta.tourdata.at&AddElevations=true&AddOfftrackWaypoints=false&AddSurfaces=true&AddWaypoints=false&globalid=tourdata_tour_430008072&width=355&height=250&FontSize=12&mkt=en) ![Altitude profile Prälaten hike](//static.et4.de/ElevationProfileChart/Go.ashx?Experience=hoehenprofil-meta&Server=meta.tourdata.at&AddElevations=true&AddOfftrackWaypoints=false&AddSurfaces=true&AddWaypoints=false&globalid=tourdata_tour_430008072&width=450&height=350&mkt=en) ](#ttgHoehenprofilModal "Prälaten hike") [ Along the trail ](#ttgCollapseAnDerStrecke) ----------------------------------------------- ![Cafe "Sissi"](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/396054/0D16005FA255C11689B2A704CD6AF1A48B179A536385762BA096214208C8302C/cafe-sissi.jpg "Cafe "Sissi"") Cafe "Sissi" On 21 April 1854, Princess Elisabeth of Bavaria started her journey to Vienna as the future bride of Emperor Franz Joseph I. A particularly festive reception was prepared for the young Sissi in the border customs office and market of Engelhartszell. In memory of this event, a café named "Sissi" has now been set up in the former grocer's shop of the Atteneder family with great attention to detail. Guests at the "Sissi" cafe can expect a variety of breakfasts, hot dishes at lunchtime, homemade pastries, wines from Hebenstreit, Engelszell monastery liqueurs and Trappist beers. ![clever-parken Engelhartszell](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/416019/7C7E66BF3CD2CFFB2D03BFC9872FC17C7616BD14E6EA421B122268FDAB35D55F/clever-parken-engelhartszell.jpg "clever-parken Engelhartszell") Clever-parken Engelhartszell We gladly make you an individual offer for your safe parking space in Engelhartszell! Do not hesitate to send us your request. [ ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/134118/24FDBDCDA8844AF180F4AF7501A2054C6A217E7BDA754CBA382E5644AAFB2898/aussenansicht-donau-t-raum-ahoi.jpg "Außenansicht Donau(T)raum AHOI") Donau(T)Raum AHOI ](https://www.donauregion.at/en/oesterreich-unterkunft/detail/430016313/donautraum-ahoi.html) ![Stiftscafé 2](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/396443/756C1611756E21DF309D371631C00C7419DFF423DEE2F7F1D55D33A180C27DC3/stiftscafe-2.jpg "Stiftscafé 2") Engelszeller Stiftscafé & Pforte Whether in the shadow of the mighty abbey church or in the historic abbey cellar. You are sure to find a pleasant place where you can savour the abbey's own liqueurs and home-brewed beers. Of course, we also offer desserts and snacks as refreshments in between. The adjoining shop at the Stiftspforte invites you to browse and shop. ![Public WC facility](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/445899/3BB3E28527200B92098E681CD4605E60E562D26051720892AFE532B46086F7D7/oeffentliche-wc-anlage.jpg "Public WC facility") Public WC at the Mini-Danube in Engelhartszell The public toilet facility at the Mini-Danube in Engelhartszell is open from April 1 to October 31. Closed from November 1 to March 31 ![Hotel Goldenes Schiff](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/396048/838A7D77A6BA8B42FA177242087CBD443193A2E8A2B3795C82C1B96204410C5A/hotel-goldenes-schiff.jpg "Hotel Goldenes Schiff") Restaurant Goldenes Schiff In our cozy and stylish restaurant, we delight your palate and your eyes with classics - freshly prepared with seasonal, regional products - from Austrian and Persian cuisine. ![Stift Engelhartszell](https://assets.tourdata.at/660x495/396029/C98DBC1B14352C325CB3DF088DD286D380E33C24837ACDCF5DCCF7BCA031560A/stift-engelhartszell.jpg "Stift Engelhartszell") Stift Engelhartszell Das Stift ist das einzige Trappistenkloster Österreichs. Es wurde 1293 gegründet und hat eine sehr wechselvolle Geschichte hinter sich. Das Stift wurde 1293 durch Bischof Bernhard (Wernhart) von Prambach gegründet und 1295 vom Zisterzienserorden besiedelt. Als Tochterkloster von Stift Wilhering gehörte es damit der Filiation der Primarabtei Morimond an. Die Stiftskirche Engelszell (1754 bis 1764 erbaut) ist eine beeindruckende Kirche im Rokoko-Stil. Sie wird gekrönt von einem 76 m hohen Turm und ist mit sehenswerten Kunstwerken von Johann Georg Üblhör, Joseph Deutschmann und Bartolomeo Altomonte ausgestattet. Heute ist das einzige Trappistenkloster Österreichs bekannt für seine Klosterliköre, den Engelszeller Trappistenkäse und dem neuen Trappistenbier. Seit Frühjahr 2012 wird – einzigartig in Österreich – auch im Stift Engelszell Bier gebraut. Die Sorten: Gregorius, Benno und Nivard. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. [ Arrival ](#ttgCollapseAnreise) ---------------------------------- **Accessibility / arrival****Getting there** from the direction of Linz and Passau on the B 130 Nibelungenstraße, from Schärding on the B 136 Sauwaldstraße **Public Transit** [Arrival in the Danube region](https://www.donauregion.at/service/artikel/detail/2890/anreise-region-donau.html) How to get to the Danube region of Upper Austria? The fast way to your destination – by train, bus, car, ship or plane. Postbus. [www.ooevv.at](http://www.ooevv.at) **Parking** Yes [ Suitability ](#ttgCollapseEignung) -------------------------------------- **Most economical season**- Spring - Summer - Autumn [ Accessibility ](#ttgCollapseBarrierefreiheit) ------------------------------------------------- Please get in touch for more information. [ Contact ](#ttgCollapseKontakt) ---------------------------------- **Prälaten hike** WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH Lindengasse 9 4040 Linz Phone +43 732 7277 - 800Show no. Fax machine +43 732 7277 - 804 E-Mail [info@donauregion.at](#mailto) Web [www.donauregion.at](https://www.donauregion.at "New window") https://www.donauregion.at Interactive elevation profile ------------------------------- [ Download GPS data ](https://gpsdownload.ttg.at?type=2030&ExperienceID=526&TourID=430008072&Format=GPX) [ Create PDF ](#ttgTourdataPdfModal430008072) [To the website](https://www.donauregion.at "New window") ### Altitude profile - Prälaten hike Close ![Altitude profile Prälaten hike](//static.et4.de/ElevationProfileChart/Go.ashx?Experience=hoehenprofil-meta&Server=meta.tourdata.at&AddElevations=true&AddOfftrackWaypoints=false&AddSurfaces=true&AddWaypoints=false&globalid=tourdata_tour_430008072&width=800&height=600&mkt=en) powered by [TOURDATA](https://www.tourdata.at "New window") [Suggest a change](#mailto) [ ![TOURDATA Logo](https://www.donauregion.at/fileadmin/templates/global/images/Logo-Tourdata.png "TOURDATA Logo") ](https://www.tourdata.at "New window")