R1.11 3-Rivers Tour

Description:
Mysterious river Danube, the salt-water river Traun, iron river Enns – a pleasure-filled cycle tour in the tracks of the inspiring land between these rivers. River riding along the Danube and the Traun, the European conservation area: Traun-Donau-Auen, Linz's cultural skyline, splendid farmsteads with buildings on all four sides in Traun-Enns-Riedelland ... and numerous cultural treasures. Final highlight: cycle ferry ride.

 

 

Highlights:

• Danube gem of Mauthausen (magnificent river frontage, granite art, Pragstein Castle…)


• Baroque gem St. Florian monastery (Bruckner organ, graves of St. Florian ...)


• Roman town of Enns (UNESCO world heritage sites Museum Lauriacum & Roman lime kilns, 360° panoramic views from the town tower)


• Traun-Donau-Auen European conservation area (alluvial forest & bird protection on the outskirts of the town of Linz)

Directions:
Superb opening act is the Danube gem of Mauthausen on the confluence of the Danube and the Enns. The magnificent river frontage, with Pragstein Castle and the pretty town centre, tell of prosperity, featuring tolls, iron, salt and granite. A Danube highlight! Incidentally, the legendary Enns river once carried precious iron ore from Styrian Eisenwurzen to the Danube. From the banks of the Danube, follow the edge of the Danube plains through the residential area to St. Georgen an der Gusen. Initially on a slightly undulating, medium traffic-level side road, you head to Langenstein, for the most part on wide cycle paths next to the main road. Just before St. Georgen an der Gusen the return section to the mysterious river begins. On side roads the landscape becomes more rural. Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely paced cycle through primeval forest-like alluvial forests out to the mighty Danube river. Down river for a short section the route proceeds via the impressive Abwinden-Asten Danube power station on the other side of the river. River cycling at its very best now begins -  enjoy a pleasure-filled pedal downstream on the embankment at the legendary Danube Cycle Path section – the Treppelweg. A cooling breeze, boat traffic ... and the twitter of birds. Little known, nestling to the left in the riparian forest, is  the Traun-Donau-Auen European conservation area, a significant paradise for birds. At Traun estuary, Linz surprises with an almost surreal industrial landscape and is a reminder of its transformation into a cultural hub. On the fantastic river bank cycle path, you ride along the legendary Traun river – it once carried precious salt from the Salzkammergut to the Danube – continuing on to Ebelsberg. Today a part of Linz, at the time of Napoleon, Ebelsberg entered world history with this strategically important Traun crossing. It is here that a ride through one of the loveliest rural cultural landscapes in Upper Austria begins: gently undulating hills, fertile fields, tradition-packed orchards, the biggest area of farmsteads with buildings on all fours sides in Upper Austria, ... Traun-Enns-Riedelland! Tranquil rural roads meander in  the rhythm of the landscape. The route ascents gently up to Wambach, then there is a perspiration-inducing ascent with a short, steep 'Riedel' (= hill ridge). The long pleasure-filled descent to Rohrbach leaves you smiling afterwards. At the 'Jahreszeitenhof', much like a manor house, (365 windows, 12 gateways) in Gemering, the final  'Riedel' climb begins. After that there is a short, yet very steep (!), downhill section and you are then at the impressive Baroque gem that is St. Florian Monastery – a Danube highlight! It is one of the biggest Baroque monasteries in Austria: the Stiftsbasilika, the world famous Bruckner organ, the graves of St. Florian and music virtuoso Anton Bruckner ...Have fun exploring! After yet another short, very steep (!) descent, you are then riding through the historic market town of St. Florian out into the Danube plains. Through a mosaic of fertile fields, passing the Sumerauerhof open-air museum which is well worth visiting, and other lovely farms with buildings on all four sides ... proceed on practically pan-flat farm roads to Enns. Between the motorway and the town, traffic increases for a while. Finally, enthroned  on a ridge, is the picturesque old town of Enns, with its splendid town square and 60 metre high town tower, a Danube highlight! Enns is the oldest town in Austria and achieved prosperity from the salt trade. In the Roman era – when at that time it was known as Lauriacum – it was a significant administrative town and legionary encampment. Tip: The superb 360° panoramic view from the town tower enables you to take in the multi-faceted inspiration of Enns! You then roll down into Neustadt, cycling through fertile farmland – parts of which have a photogenic industrial skyline – out to the Danube plains. In the primeval alluvial woodlands, at the pier for the Danube ferry, a superb view to the historic Danube market town of Mauthausen rounds out your experience. At the ferry, this backdrop and the splashing of the water will instinctively set your thoughts roaming - a cycle tour in flux!

Safety guidelines:
The main section of this pleasure-filled cycle circuit proceeds over peaceful, asphalt (side) roads and cycle paths. It is only between the motorway and Enns that there may – depending on the time of day – be more traffic on about 2 km of the route. Basic gear technique is advantageous in the undulating Traun-Enns-Riedelland area. In St. Florian, two short, steeper descents require special attention. Please note the operating times of the Danube cycle ferry - ENNSEGG - for the final crossing to Mauthausen. Should this not be operational, you can – starting from Enns town centre -, take an alternative route via Mauthausen's Danube bridge.

 

Signage:

To make orientation easier, the Danube Cycle Path has been signposted with its own cycle guidance system. This circuit follows the "R1.11 3-Flüsse-Runde" signposts.