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May 1st - October 14th, 2023

Where thousands of cyclists have already journeyed along the Danube for the past 25 years, it is now the hiker’s turn to explore this impressive landscape. The Donausteig Trail leads the wanderer to the most beautiful sights of the Upper Austrian Danube region.

The Danube region is a unique natural landscape: Highlights include the distinctive narrow valley between Passau and Aschach, the natural wonder “Schloegener Schlinge” as well as many nature reserves with its distinctive broad lateral valleys (e.g. Rannatal or Koeßlbachtal).

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.

Arrangement

• 4 x overnight stay in **/*** Donausteig inns/hotels with breakfast buffet
• 1 x welcome video with explanations and information that you need for the tour
• 1 x snack in a traditional tavern with “Brettljause” and ½ l drink to choice
• 1 x Donausteig hiking book (1 x per room)
• 1 x map material (1 x per room)
• 3 x luggage transfer - max. 2 pcs./person and max. 25 kg/piece of luggage
• Daily service hotline from 8.00 - 18.00 o’clock (even on weekends)

Itinerary:

Day 1 Individual arrival in Grein.
The city of Grein is also known as “pearl of the Strudengau” and fascinates with nostalgic charm, historical sights - the navy museum and the city theatre tell of the city’s long history - numerous cultural highlights and diverse culinary offers.
Overnight stay in Grein.

Day 2: Grein – Sarmingstein
~16 km, 5 h, altitude difference ascent/descent: 567/623 m
The Donausteig Trail leads downstream, after some time you reach the “Gießenbach” mill. The mill marks the entrance to the “Stillensteinklamm” gorge. Take some time here to enjoy regional delicacies. Refreshed you turn into the gorge. After enjoying the panoramic views from Dichterstein, you hike through the forest to St. Nikola. After St. Nikola the path once again climbs up the sides of the Danube to Sarmingstein.
Overnight stay in Sarmingstein.

Day 3: Sarmingstein – Aumuehle/Grein
~18 km, 6 h, altitude difference ascent/descent: 749/505 m
In Sarmingstein the Donausteig Trail leaves the Danube and heads north. After the lookout point at Predigtstuhl, you hike through pleasant hilly landscape to Waldhausen and further to the Aumuehle inn.
Overnight stay at the Aumuehle.

Day 4: Aumuehle - Bad Kreuzern - Grein
~16 km, 5 h, altitude difference ascent/descent: 379/561m
Through forest, field and meadow you hike to Bad Kreuzen. Bad Kreuzen contains a popular health spa and can be considered a true paradise for hiking. You pass the “Wolfsschlucht”,  “Speckalm” and the villages Lehen and Muehlberg on your back to Grein.
Overnight stay in Grein.

Day 5: Individual departure or additional nights.

Rates per person for the arrangement in €:

Local tax is extra to pay on spot in each accommodation (from € 1,-- to € 3,-- per person/per night)

Prices are subject to change

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.