For experienced hikers, the most challenging stage of the Strudengauer 9er offers spectacular rock formations and alpine sections. The summit route over the Gipfelstein to the Brandstetterkogel is well known to adventurers in the region.
Summit winners are rewarded with a magnificent view of Grein from the striking rock ledge at Gipfelstein. Part of the path leads over the Matrassteig (alpine section) up to the Rock Gate. The trail was built in 1926 by members of the Austrian Tourist Club and is named after the former ÖTK President Franz Matras. The path is secured with hand ropes and steps. There is an opportunity to stop at the Viktoria-Adelheid Shelter on the Brandstetterkogel. Crossing the Danube by the Danube ferry guarantees a spectacular end to the route.
Directions:Starting from the hiking trail starting point in Grein at the Danube riverside, go upstream along the promenade to the Arch Bridge. Past the Grein harbor and the Roman resting place, the Planet Trail leads out of the town of Grein. Directly next to the Danube, follow the towpath towards the shore and over the Danube Bridge Grein. After crossing the bridge, you reach the hiking info point in Tiefenbach. Here is also the inn Zur Donaubrücke for a short rest. In Tiefenbach near the parking lot, you enter the Matrassteig 463 or Gipfelstein/Brandstetterkogel trail 463a. Following the switchbacks, a left turn soon opens to the Matrassteig towards the Rock Gate. Up to the Rock Gate awaits a challenging path with hand ropes, offering unique views of the Danube valley and Grein. Attention: the Matrassteig through passage does not lead to Gipfelstein, so return back on the Matrassteig and at the fork this time turn right. This route leads past the Peace Cross uphill to the Gipfelstein. Shortly after Gipfelstein, it goes steeply downhill to then master the last steep ascent to the shelter at Brandstetterkogel. Finally descent to Wiesen and crossing the Danube with the Danube ferry (9 AM–6 PM!). After the ferry ride, return to the starting point at the Danube riverside or continue on the Strudengauer 9er hiking marathon – the Grein town walk.
Variant 2 - Matrassteig through passage:
Go through Matrassteig 463 at the Rock Gate and thus reach the shelter at Brandstetterkogel or return via Wiesen to Grein with the Danube ferry. Traversing Gipfelstein is thus not necessary.
Alternative route without ferry:
Outside the ferry operating hours, the route can also be done, although the distance (+1 hour) and length (+5 km) change. Alternative route: After the descent to Wiesen, follow the road to the Danube ferry dock. At the dock, turn left and follow the paved road or the Danube cycle path back towards the Danube Bridge Grein. After about 2 kilometers, cross the Danube Bridge and turn right towards Grein. Follow the Danube cycle path on the other side of the Danube back to Grein harbor. Then over the Arch Bridge and the Planet Trail back to the starting point or continue on the Grein town walk.
Tip:Shelter at the Brandstetterkogel
The trail is not passable in ice or snow.
Additional information:Bike and passenger ferry Grein - Wiesen:
Operating hours:
May and September: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
June to August: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
Further information about the Danube ferry at: www.umiuma.at
Dort, wo die Donau Oberösterreich und Niederösterreich trennt, erhebt sich der Brandstetterkogel mit seiner urigen Schutzhütte und dem wunderschönen Ausblick auf das Donaustädtchen Grein. Die kleine Jausenstation zählt zu den reizvollsten Ausflugszielen im Donautal. Attraktiv und bestens markiert sind auch die Wanderwege durch die nahezu unberührten Hangwälder, die gleich neben der Donaubrücke in Tiefenbach ihren Ausgang nehmen.
Lage
Wehrhafte Burgen und prunkvolle Schlösser prägen das nach seinem Hauptfluss benannte Mühlviertel, das sich hier im Strudengau an der Donau bis in den Norden erstreckt. Wie ein kleiner Adlerhorst thront die urige Schutzhütte des ÖTK auf dem Brandstetterkogel auf 532 m Seehöhe. Von der Terrasse öffnet sich ein herrlicher Weitblick in das untere Mühlviertel mit der markanten Kirche St. Thomas am Blasenstein. Auch die Burg Clam lässt sich erblicken und bei klarar Sicht sogar ein Teil von Linz. Direkt zu Füßen liegt der malerische Ort Grein an der Donau (OÖ).
Geschichte
Die Hütte wurde am 26. August 1926 eröffnet und trug den Namen der damaligen Herzogin von Sachsen- Coburg und Gotha: Victoria Adelheid. Diese trug sich bei der Eröffnung ins Gipfelbuch zusammen mit Tochter Sibylle und Sohn Hubert ein. Das erste Gipfelbuch der Brandstetterkogelhütte kann gegen Voranmeldung am Stadtamt Grein eingesehen werden.
In a cosy atmosphere - a beautiful guest garden with a view of the Danube - we offer you a wide range of cakes, tarts and traditional, warm pastries - strudel varieties, buns, pancakes and more - made according to old house recipes.
One look at our pastry showcase will convince you.
Furthermore, you will find a large selection of ice cream specialities in our new ice cream kiosk. All our own production and pure natural products.
We also offer breakfast variations and small snacks - delicious soups, toasts, seasonal salads and much more. - and much more.
Our prices guarantee quality.
Our business is open all year round.
The Schörgi family looks forward to welcoming you.
The rest areas consist of an exposed concrete column, reminiscent of a Roman milestone, bearing a Roman head created by artist Miguel Horn and containing information about the local community, the Danube cycle path and the Romans, as well as a 5 metre long rest bench made of concrete and stone and a paved floor made of Danube pebbles. The architecture is based on design elements from Roman times.
The design for the Roman rest areas was the result of a competition organised jointly with the University of Art and Design Linz and won by student Lukas Beltrame. An important partner in the construction of the squares is the construction academy in Steyregg, which produced all the built-in parts for the squares with its apprentices.
Sundial on the Danube promenade
Since the summer of 1993, a unique timepiece, designed and built by physics and astronomy student Werner Riegler from Grein, has adorned the banks of the Danube in the Esperantoplatz area. This sundial is a so-called equatorial sundial, in which the shadow of a wire rope stretched parallel to the earth's axis falls on a scale. It is then possible to read the time from a semi-cylindrical dial with an accuracy of around two minutes. The frame of this clock is made of chrome-nickel steel, while the dial and scales are made of brass. In addition to the time display, a granite globe is attached to the front. This globe with the engraved continents is illuminated by the sun in the same way as the earth itself. You can therefore see from the shadow boundaries in which countries the sun is currently shining. The fascinating thing about a clock like this is that it is easy to understand how it works and therefore easy to learn about the connections between the movement of the earth and the sun.
Getting there
Public Transit
By the Danube Riverside Train 133 starting from Linz Main Station to Grein-Bad Kreuzen Station.
Parking directly at the hiking trail starting point or at the Danube riverside near the ship dock. Free short-term parking zone (Blue Zone) at the town square and in the city center, parking duration 90 minutes. Long-term parking spaces at the train stations, city entrances, etc. At the historic town square of Grein and in Rathausgasse as well as at the Danube riverside there are disabled parking spaces.
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