Donausteig Stage 4_G07 Sarmingstein - Waldhausen: "Summit assault - on the trail of the monks"

Sarmingstein is the starting point for this enjoyable stage. The historic Danube village lies in the steep Donau narrow valley of the Strudengau at the mouth of the Sarmingbach into the Danube. The special features of the small, elongated village only reveal themselves with knowledge of its history and through hidden details - a village that wants to be discovered! The summit assault begins directly in Sarmingstein. First through the settlement area, then a magnificent hiking trail leads uphill through the wonderful hillside forests of the steep Danube valley slopes. Some overgrown wall remains puzzle us. At the saddle near the Bauerngruber farmstead, the forest opens briefly and lets us proudly look back at the gained height. Over a short section of farm road and cozy forest paths, we finally reach the rock ledge of the Predigtstuhl high above the Danube: Congratulations - we stand on the easternmost of the seven Donausteig summits! The impressive deep view into the Danube valley stretches back to the beginning of the Strudengau in Grein and up to Clam Castle - simply breathtaking. Here it is time to say goodbye to the Danube, as the Donausteig now leads us deep into the Aist-Naarn-Kuppenland. On the meadow at the saddle behind the Predigtstuhl, we still have a beautiful view of the Ötscher, the mighty Father Mountain. Then we hike comfortably over forest roads through the dense Gloxwald down into the Sarmingbach valley. Shortly thereafter, we follow the gentle meanders of the idyllic Sarmingbach uphill: the play of water, the splashing, mystical rock formations, ... invite us to observe and ponder! At the Dobmühle, we leave the Sarmingbach valley again and go uphill through fields. At the Hofbauer farmstead, the Waldhausen basin opens before us. The hilly landscape of the Aist-Naarn-Kuppenland presents itself here in its most beautiful splendor - a unique rural cultural landscape, whose complete harmony is unparalleled! The magnificent abbey church is the center of this divine landscape. Over small farm roads, field, and forest paths, we reach the Donausteig rest area "Berta-Ruhe" in the varied ups and downs. Located a little above Waldhausen, it offers a wonderful view over the market town of Waldhausen and the former Waldhausen abbey. After a short descent, we stand in the charming village of Waldhausen. A hike for connoisseurs - simply amazing!

Now the question arises: "Why on the trail of the monks?" - You can find out in the Donausteig diary!

Discover the following special features with the Donausteig diary:

- Sarmingstein - the end of the Strudengau

- Sarmingstein Castle - bulwark in the east

- Säbnich Castle - cradle of Waldhausen Abbey

- Donausteig starting point "St. Nikola/Sarmingstein"

- A mining site?

- A cable car station?

- Predigtstuhl - one of the seven Donausteig summits

- Gloxwald - life with granite

- ...

Download: Donausteig diary Stage 4_G07 Sarmingstein-Waldhausen

From the Donausteig starting point in Sarmingstein, we go left up the stairs (in front of the Strudengauhof inn) and continue straight ahead to the underpass of the Donau federal road. There, take the stairs up on the left and then immediately right again. After about 100 m parallel to the Donau federal road, we follow the settlement road steeply uphill to the left. At the next junction (three millstone fragments in the retaining wall), turn right. A few meters later we reach the main road Sarmingstein - Waldhausen. We follow this downhill until a hiking trail branches off to the left after about 250 m. A wonderful hiking path now takes us through the hillside forest up to the Bauerngruber farmstead. There we follow the paved access road uphill to the left. In the forest shortly before a hairpin turn, the Donausteig branches off to the left and leads via forest paths to a meadow at the edge of the forest. Here begins the short detour (approx. 100 m) to the Donausteig rest area "Predigtstuhl" on the summit of the Predigtstuhl. Returning from the summit detour, we cross the meadow and follow the paved farm road to the left, first briefly uphill and then downhill for a long time. In the following forest, the asphalt road turns into a forest road. At a T-junction we reach the asphalt road to Gloxwald. Here turn left downhill. Afterwards, we follow the main road Sarmingstein-Waldhausen uphill and branch off to the left over the Samingbach after about 400 m before a right curve. We follow the course of the stream to the Dobmühle (T-junction). Here turn left. A paved farm road takes us through open cultural landscape past the farmsteads Tradtner and Hofbauer. We cross the intersection with wayside shrine and bench (view of the Waldhausen abbey church) straight ahead. At the next intersection we take the right street. At the large farm on the left side we follow the field path to the edge of the forest on the right (waycross, Galgenberg). After crossing the forest downhill, we reach the Donausteig rest area "Berta Ruhe". From here, the path takes us directly to the Donausteig starting point in Waldhausen.

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

 Discovery trips with a gourmet stop! This route passes directly by the following culinary partner: 

• Gasthof Schauer

WGD Donau Upper Austria Tourism GmbH
Lindengasse 9
4040 Linz, Austria
Tel. +43(0)732/7277-800
Fax. +43(0)732/7277-804
info@donausteig.com

Tourism Association St. Nikola
4381 St. Nikola/Donau
Tel.: +43(0)7268/8155 (municipal office)
Tel.: +43(0)69913030422
tourismus@struden.at
www.oberoesterreich.at/st.nikola.donau

Tourism Association Waldhausen
Markt 14
4391 Waldhausen
Tel.: +43(0)7260/4505
Fax: +43(0)7260/4505-8
tourismus@waldhausen.ooe.gv.at
www.waldhausen.at