Donausteig Stage 4_G06 Grein - Sarmingstein: „Through the wild Strudengau“

Description:
Grein, the gateway to the Strudengau, is the starting point for this beautiful Donausteig-stage. The historic town was once the last safe docking site efore the dangerous water swirls of the Strudengaus! ... Magnificent facades, elegant Bay Windows, testify to wealth through Danube boat trade. We walk on the Danube promenade up to the Halterkreuz (cross) which today still warns of the once first Strudengau obstacle. From there, the Donausteig leads uphill comfortably through a settlement. A short detour to the Kalvarienberg opens up at a Donausteig-view point wonderful views of Grein and shows us an unusual granite gallery. Hereafter, the urban settlement rapidly changes into rural landscapes and into the typical woodland of the Donaukerbtal (valley). On forest paths in the forest, we hike uphill to the view point of Castle Werfenstein. Then forest trails lead us back down to the Danube to the Gießenbach­mühle (mill). Here, one of the most dangerous sections of today starts along the Strudengau!

 

We leave the Danube though straight away and hike through the wild and romantic Gorge of Stillensteinklamm uphill. The quiet creek soon turns into water Cascades and disappears under the stones for about 300 m - a highlight! There, we leave the gorge on the steep Jägersteig. A short time later we walk high above the Danube enjoyably through attractive mixed forests along the Danube valley. Occasional views of the Danube can still only hint of the former dangers. In a forest clearing the Donausteig-resting "Donaublick" invites us to linger and allows a look back onto the Gobelwarte, one of the seven Danube climbing peaks! Historic trails lead us down to a settlement above Struden. The most powerful whirlpool of the entire Danube were once in Struden! From here, we go through scattered settlements further down the Danube and reach past the old Danube road after a short uphill stretch St. Nikola, the Church of the patron saint of seafarers. Here the dangers of today were once survived. From the Donausteig-resting point just below the Church, we have a wonderful look back onto the former danger!

 

The last section of the trail is a walking highlight! First the ancient Church way through magnificent forests leads us up the side of the Valley. Then we walk alone through attractive mixed forests along the Danube valley past meadows to the Moststation Kleinleitner (cyder inn). Here, a grand view far beyond the end of the wild Strudengau, - up to the Ötscher! After a magnificent descent, we reach past the historic castle Säbnich, the historic danube settlement of Sarmingstein, the end of the Strudengau. Simply fabulous!

 

Discover the following features with the Donausteig-diary:

-Grein - the gateway to the Strudengau

-Donausteig-starting point "Grein"

-The castle of Greinburg-the oldest Castle North of the Alps?

-Halterkreuz- votive and warning

-Kalvarienberg-Gallery of granite

-Donausteig-viewing point "Grein"

-castle Werfenstein- toll or chain

-Island Wörth-Rapids and boulders

- ...

Download: Donausteig-diary "Stage 4_G06 Grein Norwich" - yet to follow!

Directions:
From the Donausteig-starting point in Grein we go the Donaulände (park) downstream up to the large junction at the end (on the right side is the Halterkreuz stands on a small rock). There left and right again on a footpath continue uphill between houses. The footpath joins the Jubiläumsstraße (road), which we follow. At the railway underpass a short detour is recommended to the right to the Donausteig-viewing point; to the gallery of granite at the Kalvarienberg. After the railway underpass we follow at the next junction the Wiener path through a housing development - first straight on uphill, later in an arc to the left downhill. At the asphalt road out of the Danube valley, we turn right downhill in the direction of the Danube. Shortly thereafter, the "access road Ramersböck" branches off to the left. On this we bear left uphill. At the farmhouse of Ramersböck the Donausteig makes a switchback and now follows a dirt road uphill. On forest roads, we continue and reach after a longer walking time we reach three granite rocks with petroglyphs and a view of castle Werfenstein. Turn Right through the forest down to the Gießenbachmühle (mill) on the river Danube. From the Donausteig-starting point "St. Nikola/Gießenbachmühle" we walk first through forests, then through idyllic hiking paths uphill to the romantic Stillensteinklamm (gorge). Immediately after the stones, characterized as a distinctive roof, we leave the Stillensteinklamm (gorge) to the right on secured steps. At a farm, a short stretch begins an asphalt road, which we leave in a left turn. We walk past the Donausteig-resting point "Donaublick" to a settlement above Struden (Tree sign with a connection to the Castle Wefenstein) along a comfortable forest road. Here we follow the first left on an asphalt road uphill and after 250 m at the next crossing we turn right downhill - St. Nikola is in sight. After a right turn, the Donausteig turn sharply to the left across from an old factory building. By means of a bridge we cross the Danube River Railway, and continue on a footpath through a row of houses down to the Danube. Now under the railway bridge, the Dimbach and the old paved road lead uphill to the Danube-courtyard in St. Nikola. A short detour takes us from here to the Church of St. Nicholas and the underlying Donausteig-resting point "Kirchenplatz“. Hereafter, we circle the Danube courtyard on the north side. At the next intersection turn first left and then right again. We follow the paved road uphill in the direction of the "Sattl Moststation"until the next turn. There the Donausteig turns left and follows a wonderful forest - first quickly uphill, then enjoyably along the side of the Danube valley - Cyder inn Kleinleitner. The following short asphalt stretch is left already after a bend on to the left across a meadow. An atmospheric forest takes us down to Sarmingstein. Arrived at the train tracks, we follow a footpath to the left and walk passed the round tower of the Castle Säbnich to the houses at the Sarmingbach. Right here, we reach the Donausteig-starting point "Sarmingstein"at the inn Strudengauhof.

 

To facilitate the orientation, the Donausteig was provided with its own system of orientation - you will find the description  here  .

Tip:
The  „Oberösterreichische Schifffahrtsmuseum“  (ferry museum) is a must for every Donausteig-hiker! The museum presents the history of the danube boat trips and the usage of the Danube river.

Equipment:
Hiking equipment, drinking bottle. Take into consideration that this is a longer and more tiring stage!

Additional information:
WGD Tourismus GmbH 
Lindengasse 9
4040 Linz, Austria
Tel. +43(0)732/7277-800
Fax. +43(0)732/7277-804 
info@donausteig.com

 

Tourism agency Grein/Donau
Stadtplatz 7
4360 Grein
Tel./Fax: +43(0)7268/7055
info.grein@oberoesterreich.at
www.oberoesterreich.at/grein

 

Tourism agency St. Nikola
4381 St. Nikola/Donau
Tel.: 0043(0)69913030422
tourismus@struden.at 
www.sankt-nikola.at 
www.oberoesterreich.at/st.nikola.donau