Donausteig Stage 4_G06 Grein - Sarmingstein: „Through the wild Strudengau“
- Suitable for families
- Suitable for kids (all ages)
- culturally interesting
- Multi-day tour
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Description: Due to logging and clearing work, the hiking trail in the Stillensteinklamm in the municipality of St. Nikola an der Donau will be closed from 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025.
Please observe the local signposting regarding the current situation on site. Thank you for your understanding!
The Donausteig-simply fabulous! This stage takes us through the beautiful Donaukerbtal (valley) of the Strudengau. Once feared by sailors due to its treacherous whirlpool, we today enjoy hiking through this exciting piece of Danube history - from Grein past St. Nikola to Sarmingstein. On this stage we discover Grein as the gateway to the Strudengau, the fabled Stillensteinklamm (Gorge), the most dangerous whirlpools of the entire Danube River run, Castle Säbnich as a bastion in the East...
Recommended season:
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Multi-stage route
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
- Family friendly
- Cultural/historical value
- Geological highlights
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
further information:
- Multi-day tour
- Board possible
Direction information: Departure
Direction information: Destination
Getting there
The Donausteig-starting point "Grein" is located directly on the Donaulände (park) (Navigation: A-4360 Grein, Donaulände)Public Transit
Grein can be reach by bus and train. The train stop "Grein stadt" lies the closest to the Donuasteig-starting point. A transfer back from Sarmingstein to Grein is possible by bus and train. Timetables online at http://www.ooevv.at .Parking
The parking lot at the Donaulände (park) are only short duration parking zones as are the ones in the city center. Two free of charge parking lots are located approx. 10 walking minutes away (Parking lot at the train station "stadt Grein"; parking lot across from the camping site at the south entrance to the city)
- Suitable for kids (all ages)
- Suitable for families
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
Please get in touch for more information.
Lindengasse 9
4040 Linz
Phone +43 732 7277 - 800
Fax machine +43 732 7277 - 804
E-Mail info.grein@oberoesterreich.at
Web www.donauregion.at
Web www.donauregion.at/wandern-am-donau…
https://www.donauregion.at/wandern-am-donausteig.html?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA57G5BhDUARIsACgCYnwn8_sxGQKNzzY5n_yjAs1hhEj2gX5Hceoq-v7517aatcG8LKVX6hwaAjn0EALw_wcB
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a.Pedestrians have the right of way: We are accommodating and friendly to pedestrians and hikers. Upon encountering these fellow travellers, we alert them by using the bicycle bell and slowly overtake them. We avoid paths with heavy pedestrian traffic altogether. Take nature into account: We do not leave refuse behind.
b.The braking distance should be half of the total distance visible: We ride at a controlled pace, are ready to brake and maintain a braking distance half as long as the total distance visible, especially in curves, because we always have to count on obstacles on the path. Damage to the path, stones, branches, wood piles, grazing livestock, cattle grids, barriers, tractor-type forestry machines and authorised vehicles pose dangers that we need to be ready for.
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Blockades can often not be avoided and are in your own interest. Biking beyond the intended path and outside of opening times is punishable and turns us into illegal bikers.
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f.Avoid unnecessary noise. Out of consideration to the animals living in the wild, we only bike during full daylight. As a principle, we always wear our helmet (even when riding uphill)! Don’t forget emergency supplies: We always have a repair set and bandages along.
g.Don’t overestimate your skills: We should not overdo it when it comes to biking technique and physical fitness. Take the level of difficulty posed by the route into consideration and make a precise estimate of your experience and skills as a biker (braking, bell, lights)!
h.Close gates: We approach grazing livestock at a walking pace and close every gate behind us. We should avoid causing escape and panic reactions in the animals. Nothing stands in the way of the fun and athletic challenge in the mountains and forests!
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Interactive elevation profile
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Tour-Details
Paths covering: