The Donausteig Hiking Trail

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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 Pöstlingberg, 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

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.