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THE DONAUSTEIG TRAIL ROUTE I - from Passau to Linz

Linz, Oberösterreich, Österreich

Mai 1st - September 30th, 2024

450 km of scenic hiking in 24 stages and 40 circular routes
125 panoramic resting spots along the pat
  • luggage transport incl.                                 
  • overnight stay in ***hotels/inns           
  • start on arrival possible every day

„It's good to talk about the rivers. It is better to speak to them. But the best thing is to become a river.”
Elmar Schenkel (*1953)
No other river covers such diverse landscapes as the Danube. On its more than 2,850-kilometer route from its source in Germany to its mouth in the Black Sea in Romania, it crosses ten countries, elegant cities, countless fascinating and aesthetic natural landscapes and diverse cultural areas. One of the peculiarities of the river is that it flows east towards the sunrise and light, which is why the ancient Greeks called it Istros – 'sun defiant'. This geophysical peculiarity could be a reason for the approximately 3000-year history of the Danube as a communication axis and trade route.
The hiking guest on the Donausteig hiking trail discovers many traces of cultural history along the river, whether it is, for example, old Roman settlements or medieval ship models - you will be surprised.
Look forward to a unique natural landscape on the first hiking stage, starting in Passau, Bavaria, to Linz, the capital of Upper Austria.

Requirements and general information:
The tours have height differences up to max. 1000 m, the daily walking distance varies from 10 to 30 km, is without difficulty and easily manageable within 4 to 8 hours. The starting points and resting places are equipped with detailed information boards, which narrate illustrated Danube legends
  • 6 nights
services
  • 2 x overnight stay in **** hotels with breakfast buffet
  • 4 x overnight stay in ***Donausteig inns/hotels with breakfast buffet
  • Welcome video with explanation and information you need for your tour
  • 1 x boat trip from Passau to Kasten
  • 1 x taxi transfer from Engelhartszell to Schloegen
  • 1 x ferry boat from Schloegen to Au
  • 1 x bus from Aschach to Ottensheim
  • 1 x Train ticket from Linz to Passau
  • 1 x Donausteig Trail hiking book (1 x per room)
  • 1 x map material (1 x per room)
  • 5 x luggage transfer - max. 2 pcs./person and max. 25 kg/piece of luggage
  • Daily service hotline from 8.00 - 18.00 o’clock (also on weekends)
Catering
  • Breakfast
itinerary

Day 1:  Individual arrival in Passau or Kellberg
When you arrive in Passau, you like to linger a little in the baroque three-river city right at the beginning of your journey. The city at the Danube, Inn and Ilz presents itself to the visitor as diverse and attractive. It is the last German city on the east-flowing Danube. The old town, which is situated on a promontory between the Danube and the Inn, invites you to stroll around. Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, which is magnificently decorated with a special treasure. With its 17,974 pipes and 233 registers, the cathedral organ is the largest in Europe. Anyone who can take the opportunity to attend an organ concert will have a special musical treat.
(1 night in Passau or Kellberg)
 
Day 2:  In the breakthrough valley of the Upper Danube
Experiencing the Danube from a ship is a special treat right at the beginning of the journey. After a few bends of the Danube, you leave the ship in Kasten and the hike can begin. On this forested first stage you will be rewarded again and again with wide views of the Danube Gorge Valley and with a short detour you can also climb the highest peak of the Donausteig hiking trail - the Haugstein. From the idyllically located small town of Stadl, the path slowly descends into the Danube valley to Engelhartszell, whose former importance as a toll station for Danube shipping dates back to the 12th century. The monks of the local Trappist monastery Engelszell are proud of their liqueur and beer - both self-made - of good reputation. After done hike, you will be picked up by taxi to ride to your accommodation at the Schlögener Schlinge. (1 night in Haibach)
Hiking Kasten - Engelhartszell: approx. 5 hours (15 km, ascent 450 m in height, descent 630 m in height)

Day 3:  Natural wonder ‚Schlögener Schlinge‘
You wake up at the Schlögener Schlinge, where the hiking tour runs along the northern bank of the Danube. Here the meandering Danube meets the mighty Bohemian massif. The excavation process of the Danube in the hard rock lasted millions of years - the result is unique!
We also recommend exploring the roundtrip Ciconia. Over eleven kilometers it leads to beautiful vantage points in the unique natural area of the Danube loop 'Schlögener Schlinge' and providesan insight into the history of Roman times, among other things. The path is varied and is supplemented by clear information boards and resting areas - a worthwhile pleasure tour!
The starting point of the hike to the overnight accommodation is Au - you take the cross ferry from Schlögen to Au. The trail becomes wildly romantic after the second bend in the Schlögener Schlinge. In the further course, the path leads past the alluvial terrace of Grafenau and directly to today's stage destination Obermühl. (1 night)
Hiking Au - Obermühl: approx. 3 hours (9 km, ascent 286 m in height, descent 286 m in height)
 
Day 4:  In the Mühlviertel highlands
Obermühl is a tranquil village at the confluence of ‘Kleine Mühl’ and Danube. Right at the beginning of the hike, you go up into the highlands of the Mühlviertel to the 25-metre-high wooden Burgstall lookout tower. With the densely wooded Danube valley, the Sauwald and the gentle hilltops of the Mühlviertel, you can see three different landscapes from here, and when the visibility is good you can also see the Alps. Lush meadows and traditional farms line the path across the varied landscape of the high plateau. Before the trail leads downhill again into the Danube valley, a steep mixed forest is hiked through. It's wonderful when the view widens and the Danube Bay from Untermühl comes into view. (1 night)
Hiking Obermühl - Untermühl: approx. 3-4 hours (9 km, ascent 454 m in height, descent 458 m in height)
 
Day 5:  Through the wildly romantic valley of Pesenbach to Aschach
The small Danube town was established around 1,200 AD as a fishing settlement. In the traditional Inn Ernst, a large table model of a 'Kelheimer' can be seen, once the largest transport ship on the Danube. This is also where the wildly romantic trail starts through the primeval forest-like nature reserve Donauleiten up to Neuhaus Castle, which was built in the 12th century as a hunting lodge by the bishops of Passau. Nestled in the hilly landscape of the Mühlviertel, St. Martin is soon reached. Salt was traded here on the old royal road, the via regia. Shortly afterwards you leave the high plateau and finally come across the valley of Pesenbach, another highlight of the Donausteig hiking trail. The hike through this densely wooded valley is tranquil. As the stream progresses, it narrows into a ravine-like gorge. The path alternates between wooden walkways and beautiful paths down the cascading water. After leaving the romantic valley, you follow old paths back down to the Danube in the beautifully situated Aschach. (1 night)
Hiking Untermühl - Aschach: approx. 6-7 hours (18 km, ascent 684 m in height, descent 712 m in height)

Day 6:  Via the Pöstlingsberg to Linz
From Aschach, take the bus to Ottensheim (about 13 kilometers) and cross the Eferding basin, which is known for its vegetable growing. At the beginning of the hike, it goes a bit along the banks of Danube, designed to pull cargo ships upriver. Then you roam through a rural cultural landscape up to the Dürnberg and on to the atmospheric summit forest of the Koglerau. After a long descent and ascent, the two church towers of the pilgrimage church on the Pöstlingsberg, Linz's landmark, come into view. From here there is a unique view eastwards into the urban Linz basin. Follow the way of the cross down to Linz and hike over the Nibelungen bridge to the baroque main square. (1 night)
Hiking Aschach - Linz: approx. 6 hours (16 km, ascent 693 m in height, descent 692 m in height
 
Day 7:  Possibility of extension or departure from Linz
The Upper Austrian provincial capital and its surroundings were created by the Danube. It flows through a gate into the Linz basin and forms a huge curved 'S' there. This is probably how Linz got its name as 'Lentia - the crooked one'. If you want to explore Linz, the best place to start is in the old town around the magnificent main square, which is well worth seeing. Additional overnight stays can be reserved for all those who would like to spend more time in Linz or the surrounding area. Otherwise individual departure by train to Passau. You have to take your own luggage with you.

possible date of arrival

daily

from price
  • € 790,00 per person
  • bookable from 1 person
Travel period (01.05.2024 - 30.09.2024)
From to
01.05.2024, to 30.09.2024

non-binding inquiry

Rates per person and arrangement in €:

01.05. 30.09.2024 (last arrival)
***/****hotels double room with breakfast   790,--
Supplement for half board                               225,--
Supplement for single room                            250,--
Supplement for single travelers                        94,--
  
Additional night double room with breakfast    81,--
Additional night supplement for single room    46,--
  
Day of arrival daily

Prices are subject to change

Local tax is extra to pay on spot in each accommodation (from € 1,-- to € 4,-- per person/per night)
 
Reductions for children sleeping in their parents’ room (2 fully paying guests):
0 - 5 years: 100%          6 - 15 years: 30%
 
Information for arrivals by car:
The parking place does not always situate next to the accommodation but on a public parking place. (Possible costs have to be paid on spot)
 
Accommodations:
For the major part the chosen inns and hotels are official Donausteig Trail-Accommodations.
This means: situated near the Donausteig Trail routes, individual service for hikers, mostly family-run businesses
 
We recommend travel cancellation insurance.
The standard terms and conditions of the Salzkammergut Touristik GmbH apply in the current version.
Due to environmental reasons we recommend to arrive and depart by public transportation.

  • Suitable for friends
  • Suitable for couples

We recommend a cancellation insurance.

The terms and conditions of Salzkammergut Touristik GmbH in the currently valid version apply.

conditions of travel

Contact


THE DONAUSTEIG TRAIL ROUTE I - from Passau to Linz
Salzkammergut Touristik GmbH
Götzstraße 12
4820 Bad Ischl

Phone +43 6132 24000-0
E-Mail wandern@salzkammergut.co.at
Web www.salzkammergut.co.at
http://www.salzkammergut.co.at

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