Donausteig stage 2_G01 Aschach - Eferding: "Meandering through the Eferdinger Basin"

The starting point for this Donausteig stage is Aschach. The historic Danube market lies at the transition from the wooded Danube gorge to the fertile plain of the Eferdinger Basin. The picturesque town center enchants with its marketplace open towards the Danube and richly decorated bourgeois houses. Both tell of prosperity as a trading hub on the Danube. A wonderful start to the experience! We start at the magnificent riverbank and initially follow the Danube downstream. Then the Donausteig leaves the mighty river and turns into the cultivated plain of the Eferdinger Basin. On small farm roads and field paths, we now head towards the ridge of hills on the western edge of the fertile plain. The atmospheric rural cultural landscape fascinates: fertile fields, large quadrangular farms, old wayside shrines, and the characteristic vegetable cultivation for which the Eferdinger Basin is widely known. From the foot of the hill ridge, a steep forest path quickly leads us higher and soon we stand at the Schaunberg castle ruin, the highlight of this stage! Once the largest castle in Upper Austria, it tells of the legendary land of the Schaunbergs. From its spectacular bergfried (keep), the Eferdinger Basin unfolds in all its splendor: the Danube river with its floodplain forests, a mosaic of fertile fields, scattered hamlets, ... one of the legendary view points of the Donausteig! Now begins a wooded high-altitude hike along the ridge. Nearly at the same altitude, cozy forest paths and the last part, a farm road, take us to the wonderful Landerl Chapel, an unexpected gem. Congratulations – here we stand at the highest point of this Donausteig stage! Hidden views deep through the foreground forest into the Eferdinger Basin evoke a "mountain" atmosphere. Next, a steep forest path leads us back down into the plain of the Eferdinger Basin. Then we walk through lush vegetable fields out into the plain to Pupping. In the rural village, we discover the next highlight: the small monastery church, the death place of St. Wolfgang! Over farm roads and field paths, we reach Brandstatt on the Danube, following a section of the Aschach. At the sight of the mighty river, it quickly becomes clear that here we stand before the once many-armed creator of this wonderful landscape basin. The last section leads over farm roads and field paths through the varied cultural landscape to the center of the Eferdinger Basin, to Eferding. The town is the third oldest in Austria and a crowning conclusion to this stage. Donausteig – simply an experience!

Discover the following special features with the Donausteig diary:

- Aschach toll, wine and shipbuilding

- Donausteig starting point "Aschach"

- The parish church of Aschach and its legendary Danube cross

- Barrier-free cultural hiking trail in Aschach

- Aschach and its Urfahr

- Danube waterway and gateway to the world

- Aschach castle – blossomed magnificence

- Quadrangular farms – perfection in completion!

- War cemetery Hartkirchen

- ...

Download: Donausteig diary stage 2_G01 Aschach-Eferding

From the Donausteig starting point "Aschach", we follow the Danube bank trail downstream under the bridge until the Donausteig turns right after the large silo facilities. Shortly after, we reach a crossroads. From here, a short detour (approx. 350 m) to the right leads to Aschach Castle. However, the Donausteig continues to the left. After a sharp right turn, we turn left and cross the rural settlement Deinham. Immediately before the Hartkirchen war cemetery, turn right. A farm road now leads straight through the fields. At the T-junction after the railway tracks, turn left. Along the paved road, we cross the railway tracks again and hike through the rural village of Karling. Here, we cross the Aschach river. At the intersection with the main road, continue left. After approx. 400 m, the Donausteig turns right over the railway tracks. Now a field path runs straight through the farmland. Past the airfield, a steep forest path begins uphill to the Schaunberg castle ruin. Just before the castle ruins, we reach a paved road. Turn left uphill here. A few meters further, the castle access road branches off left downhill – this leads us in a short detour to the Schaunberg castle ruins. However, the Donausteig continues uphill on the road. From the large parking lot, turn left down the paved road to some houses. Then we walk almost level on idyllic forest paths and finally on a small farm road to the crossroads in sight of the Landerl Chapel. From here, turn right uphill to reach the Landerl Chapel by a short detour. The onward path, however, leads left downhill. After a short field path, a steep forest path brings us back down into the plain of the Eferdinger Basin. There we first follow the edge of the forest to the left, then a farm track through the fields to the right. Over the railway tracks, we reach the rural village of Pupping and the Nibelungenstraße. Turn left here and pass the monastery church of Pupping to the Donausteig starting point "Pupping". Here turn right and follow the farm road to the bridge, then continue left to the next bridge. Now we hike along the south bank of the Aschach river – initially on a field path, later on a farm road. At the bridge, we finally cross the Aschach and reach the main road. Turn right over the next bridge. Immediately after, a right loop leads back under this bridge and we stand at the Danube in Brandstatt. A short distance downstream is the Donausteig starting point "Brandstatt" (next to the ship docking station). From here, in a slight right curve, continue to the main road and follow this towards Eferding until an asphalt road branches off to the right. Continue right to the next intersection. Then turn left twice. Now a farm road passes some houses and turns into a field path after an intersection. In Waschpoint, we reach a settlement area again. Keep left here until a side arm of the Aschach is reached. Cross the river, then continue left to the main road, which brings us right to the large intersection with the Nibelungenstraße in Eferding. On the main road, continue about 100 m south, then turn left to the town parish church. At the church square, continue straight ahead and immediately before Starhemberg Castle, follow the footpath in a right curve to the north end of the town square. Turn left downhill there. After about 100 m, a footpath branches off to the right – this takes us through a long park to the Donausteig starting point "Eferding".

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

The Danube market of Aschach and the town of Eferding are true treasure chests – be sure to allow time for a visit!

Also visit the barrier-free cultural hiking trail in Aschach and learn more about the history of the Danube market.

WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH
Lindengasse 9
4040 Linz, Austria
Tel. +43(0)732/7277-888
Fax. +43(0)732/7277-804
info@donausteig.com