Sauwald Panoramastraße
4040 Linz
High above the Upper Danube Valley - The route for explorers with a broad view
15 viewpoints along the Sauwald Panoramastraße promise magnificent views of the Danube, which here flows gently through the landscape flanked by near-natural forest slopes.
Recommended season:
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
- Cultural/historical value
The 50-kilometer-long high path above the southern Danube banks offers views from the Czech border over nearby Bavaria to the Salzkammergut. Admire the wooden sculptures by the sculptor Michael Lauss at the panorama stations, linger on the cozy seating areas and look down onto the Danube scenery.
Culinary delights on the Panoramastraße
The high path runs through the heart of the Sauwald potato region, producing potatoes of the highest quality on the primitive rock soils of the Sauwald. This flagship product is offered in inns as regional specialties. More information about the product can be found at www.sauwalderdaepfel.at. The brochure "Treasures & Delicacies" by the Danube Region provides information about further delicacies along the Panoramastraße, such as Somann cheese specialties or Sauwald juices from the Penzinger family. Stop by and convince yourself of the culinary offerings high above the Danube Valley!
Tip:Not only for nature enthusiasts, but also cultural and culinary explorers will find a variety of regional treasures! Safety guidelines:
Whether on foot or by bike, by car or bus – the landscapes and places on and high above the Danube can be explored and experienced in many ways!
Paths covering:
further information:
- culturally interesting
- Board possible
Vichtenstein Castle - of feud and the bishop's victory
The romantic Vichtenstein Castle is located in the centre of Vichtenstein, just a few metres off the Donausteig trail. It was probably founded in the 11th century by one of the Counts of Formbach. After this dynasty died out in 1145, the castle passed to the Hallgraves of Wasserburg. In 1217, a reversal of fortune began that was to throw the region into turmoil for years! Konrad Count of Wasserburg and Vichtenstein wanted to go on a crusade to the Holy Land and borrowed money from the Prince-Bishop of Passau. As a pledge, he gave Vichtenstein Castle with its numerous possessions. Before his departure, Konrad married and signed the castle over to his wife. However, the Bishopric of Passau regarded the castle as her property and considered this transfer to be unlawful. Thus began an 8-year feud between Konrad and the bishopric. He harmed Passau wherever he could: he destroyed Passau property, attacked Passau merchants, blockaded the Danube, ... His strategic "masterpiece": as Passau's prosperity was based on the salt trade, Konrad channelled the salt from Salzburg past Passau! He utilised his salt trading privileges as Hallgraf and had the salt transported down the Inn River landed in Schärding. It was then transported overland via Münzkirchen, Vichtenstein and Kasten to Obernzell, from where it found its usual route to Bohemia. In doing so, he not only damaged Passau, but also made very good money himself! Konrad was finally excommunicated several times (!) for his actions and later even ostracised. In the end, however, he had to give in. In 1227, Vichtenstein became the property of the Bishopric of Passau for the next 550 years. Soon afterwards, the newly founded Engelszell Monastery was supported by being exempted from the Vichtenstein toll and also received all the storm-damaged trees of the Vichtenstein dominion in 1299. In later years, the castle was a favourite hunting lodge of the Passau bishops. The Jagabild chapel on the ridge of the Haugstein has some marvellous stories to tell about this time of hunting! Find out more under "Jagabild Chapel - a marvellous gem!". In 1803, the rule of the Bishopric of Passau ended through secularisation and Vichtenstein Castle fell to the Austrian state. From 1860 onwards, a period of eventful private ownership began. Today, the castle is owned and inhabited by the Schulz-Wulkow family.
The castle cannot be visited! (Source: Schulz-Wulkow, K. (2012). Vichtenstein in the Sauwald)
By the way: Castle mounds used to be kept free of woodland for military reasons. This also helped Linz's Pöstlingberg to become a popular vantage point after the Maximilian fortifications were abandoned. Today, the Pöstlingberg is the landmark of Linz and a must-see for every Donausteig hiker!
Burgblick Schauern is a vantage point and is located on the panoramic road that leads through the scenic features of the Sauwald. The Sauwald is geologically part of the Bohemian Massif. Between Passau and the Danube Loop stretches the striking through valley of the Danube with the typical steep Danube floodplains. The differences in altitude here are enormous, for example near Vichtenstein the landscape rises from around 250 metres above sea level by the river to 895 metres to the Haugstein. The individual viewpoints were artistically designed by Michael Lauss. Route: Esternberg - Vichtenstein - St. Aegidi - Engelhartszell - Waldkirchen. You can find the exact route under the menu item themed roads
85 year old Karl Luger has been training his trouts for more than 50 years, with the ancient sawmill (dating back to 1820) as lovely background. Thanks to little earth worms he is able to teach his trouts incredible tricks: jumps, soccer games, ski performances await you. Karl himself is the circus director, the animal trainer and the clown. He creates memories that will stay forever with your kids. A highlight not to be missed in St. Aegidi! Besides the trout show there is a lot more to discover. For example, the funny rooster ... let us surprise you.
Herzlich willkommen auf diesem Stützpunkt!
Hier haben wir alle wichtigen Informationen für den Besuch bei uns zusammengestellt. Jeder Reiter hält weitere Details zur Ausstattung, Anreise und Zustieg sowie Touren-Vorschläge bereit.
Sollten Sie dennoch weitere Fragen haben, setzen Sie sich bitte direkt mit uns in Verbindung. Wir freuen uns auf Ihren Besuch!
Wenn Sie Hüttenaufenthalte mit Hunden planen, bitten wir Sie, dies im Vorfeld mit uns abzuklären.
The “Panoramabühne Maierhof” (panorama stage) is a viewing point and is located by the “Panoramastraße”, which is a street that goes along the special landscape features of the Sauwald region.
The Sauwald belongs geogically to the Bohemian Massif. Between Passau and the natural attraction “Donauschlinge” lies the striking breakthrough valley of the Danube with its typical steep Danube floodplains.The difference in altitudes are massive – for example around Vichtenstein the landscape rises from an altitude of 250 m at the river to an altitude of 895 m at the Haugstein mountain.
The particular viewig points were artistically designed by Michael Lauss. Route: Esternberg – Vichtenstein - St. Aegidi – Engelhartszell – Waldkirchen
Under the artistic direction of Michael Lauss, squares were developed at a total of 9 locations and enriched with special sculptures integrated into the landscape. Each site has that certain something, offering the viewer breathtaking perspectives from the Sauwald region onto the Danube valley and the charming landscapes opposite
The beautiful parish church of Vichtenstein is located in the village centre just a few metres from the Donausteig. The neo-Gothic hall church impresses with a granite fan vault, symbolic decorations on the vault keystones, several stone "rosettes" in the church walls,... - see and discover! The total length is 33 metres, the width is 14.50 metres and the tower is 40 metres high. The presbytery is lit by three large windows and the double nave by 6.50 m high windows. The highlight is the Hausmutter von Vichtenstein, a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary. It was created around 1430 and originally stood in the castle chapel. After a fire in 1773, which destroyed a large part of the castle and its chapel, the wooden statue disappeared. It mysteriously reappeared in 1881 when the tower cross was placed on the new parish church. The solution to the mystery: the wife of the caretaker of the castle had taken it without permission and only returned it ruefully on her deathbed. The statue is credited with several miraculous healings and was a favourite pilgrimage site for the local population for centuries.
Vichtenstein Castle has always been the manorial centre of the village. The ecclesiastical centre, however, was located around 6 km to the north-west in Esternberg, the oldest parish in the northern Sauwald. The chapel of Vichtenstein Castle served as a branch church until the 18th century. In 1785, Vichtenstein finally became an independent parish. The reason: according to Emperor Joseph II, no subject should have an arduous journey to their church. In 1877, the painstaking construction of today's parish church began, which was completed with the ceremonial placing of the tower cross in 1881. Incidentally, the granite used for the church did not come from a quarry, but was found and worked in the surrounding forests. (Source: Schulz-Wulkow, K. (2012). Vichtenstein in the Sauwald)
Now the question arises: What is a hall church?
In a hall church, the nave characterises the church interior. The naves are of equal height and are usually united under a common gabled roof. This creates a spacious, hall-like feeling of space. Here in Vichtenstein, however, static considerations were more decisive for the two-nave architecture. Due to the steep slope, the plateau for the parish church had to be partially heaped up. Three central columns were erected in the nave to take some of the pressure off the outer walls on the valley side. Learn to read church architecture!
Tip: A short detour to the parish church is worthwhile!
The viewpoints are not simply "viewpoints", rather the "special" aspect of the vantage points is emphasised and enhanced by creative objects. Each place has that certain something, yet a continuity is recognisable, offering the viewer breathtaking perspectives from the Sauwald region on the charming landscapes opposite.
The initiators of the Sauwald Panorama Road are the Danube communities of Esternberg, Vichtenstein, Engelhartszell, St. Ägidi and Waldkirchen am Wesen. The road leads from Wesenufer to Pyrawang.
The entire valley is covered with trees and only a small part belongs to the Nature Preserve. All the rest is still cultivated by its owners, the local farmers. It is a truly unique place to relax and unwind, to make endless walks or to collect berries, mushrooms and flowers. Kößlbach brook marks the border between the towns of Engelhartszell, Waldkirchen and St. Aegidi. The minor Kößlbachtal valley offers a varied fauna and flora as well as countless buildings rich in history.
Tips for the tour:
Start the hike at the welcome board: the bird cherry, the scent of Douglas fir, horse chestnut, hazel, a mound of pumpkins or nettles covered with voracious black caterpillars greet you.
New nature is growing in many small areas of forest that were once plagued by storms, with marvellous mosses and tiny ferns growing very close to the path, berries and mushrooms tempting you to pick them, little frogs hopping around and woodpeckers drumming holes in the trees. The leaves, needles, cones and bark of the trees invite you to compare them and, with a magnifying glass, you can discover exceptionally rich animal life in old tree stumps! .
In the magnificent mixed forest, visitors are particularly fascinated by the beech trees, which are over 100 years old. Take a look up at the tall larch, search for old oaks and even younger lime trees, birches and hornbeams. Beech cankers or Chinese beards, woodpecker holes and other serious tree injuries are easy to spot.
In the "forest dome" you feel like you are in a cathedral. This idyllic spot with a few benches invites you and your companions to linger or take a short break.
A narrow path leads us back out to the edge of the forest and we return to the starting point. We are accompanied by the snowball bush, weeping cherry, numerous alders, lime trees, willow, rowan and large oaks.
In 1994, the forest school won the environmental protection prize of the province of Upper Austria.
in 1994. For further information or guided tours, please contact the Esternberg municipal office.
Getting there
Tip for cyclists – the Radtramper Danube
Cyclists who want to combine their trip on the Danube Cycle Path with a stage along the Sauwald Panoramastraße have the option to take the train back home between Passau and Linz using the Radtramper.
Car
Coming by car from Munich or Regensburg, use the A3 motorway and exit at Passau. Toll-free travel then continues from Germany to Austria by following the B130 Nibelungen Road from Passau along the southern Danube shore towards Engelhartszell. Coming from Vienna or Salzburg, the A1 leads to the state capital Linz. From there, take the B129 to Eferding and then the B130 Nibelungen Road into the Upper Danube Valley.
For bus companies
The entire route of the Sauwald Panoramastraße can be traveled by buses. Parking spaces near the viewpoint stations offer room for at least one coach. Exception: the Pankrazkapelle station is accessible via a narrow service road that does not have a turning area for buses!
Public Transit
Six starting points on the Nibelungen Federal Road on the southern shore of the Upper Danube Valley enable entry to the Sauwald Panoramastraße. Depending on the type of transport, you can tailor your route individually.
Train and bus
The two train stations Passau and Linz are suitable as starting points for an excursion along the Sauwald Panoramastraße (information on timetables can be found at www.oebb.at and www.bahn.de). The Upper Austrian Transport Association enables convenient continuing travel. Since buses only run at larger, sporadic intervals, you should check connections in advance at www.ooevv.at.
Parking
Stopping at the stations
All panorama stations have parking facilities for buses and cars as well as bicycle parking spaces. These are usually located directly next to the stations, with the following exceptions: the stations Pankrazkapelle, Panoramablick Rannariedl, and Moarfelsen in St. Aegidi can only be reached via forest and meadow paths and therefore only in snow-free weather.
- 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@donauregion.at
Web www.donauregion.at
Web www.st-aegidi.at/
https://www.st-aegidi.at/
Vis-à-vis users
1. The tours presented for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc. are to be considered non-paid tour recommendations and only serve as non-binding information. We have no intention of concluding a contract with the users of this website. The utilisation of the data does not lead to the establishment of a contract with us.
The data may only be used for private use; any commercial use is prohibited. In particular, it is not permissible to offer the data on commercially run websites, file-sharing platforms etc. or to use it to develop commercial products. Downloading data does not imply that users are granted rights to the data concerned.
The tour recommendations posted were created with utmost care; nevertheless, we assume no liability for the correctness and completeness of the information.
We point out that neither the tour recommendations included on this website nor the associated data and information were posted by us, but rather by third parties (Art. 16 Austrian E-Commerce Act). We have no influence on whether the details provided (e.g. distance, level of difficulty, change in altitude, description etc.) are authentic, correct and complete. We do not review these third-party contents. For this reason, we assume no liability for the authenticity, correctness and completeness of the information.
Construction-related measures or other influences (e.g. landslides and similar occurrences) can lead to temporary or permanent changes in a route (e.g. loss of a bridge and similar occurrences). Such occurrences can lead to part of the route or the entire route becoming impassable.
The use of the data as well as undertaking (riding, walking, taking etc.) the recommended tours or using the network of paths occurs at users’ own risk and on their authority. In particular, users themselves are responsible for the choice of route, outdoor orientation, adherence to traffic rules, supplies and equipment for tours listed in Point 1 (e.g. bicycle etc.), wearing a helmet, estimating their own fitness, recognising dangers and maintaining an appropriate velocity. We exclude ourselves from any liability whatsoever for damages, in particular accidents, that occur whilst taking part in the recommended tours.
2.Some of the tours lead over roads with normal traffic conditions. Please observe that there is an increased risk which can be avoided by means of appropriate attention and proper estimation and implementation of one’s own abilities. For this reason, please travel a route that is unfamiliar to you slowly and with special care. Pay constant attention to potential dangers and always observe traffic. Do not leave the routes featured in descriptions.
The potential use of private roads, in particular forestry roads and agricultural transport roads, can be subject to legal restrictions, which must be observed and adhered to.
The normal traffic rules apply. Each user (e.g. biker, motorbiker) is responsible for adhering to these rules and maintaining his/her bike/vehicle and its equipment (lights, brakes etc.) in good working order. Each user is also responsible for ensuring that he/she rides at a velocity that is appropriate for the conditions and his/her skill level and for maintaining sufficient distance to the rider in front. We explicitly recommend adjusting velocity to correspond to the respective field of vision, wearing a helmet, using reflective clothing (or similar) and employing bicycle lights in line with regulations.
3.Each tour requires good physical fitness as well as detailed planning. We explicitly recommend only taking the tours in the case of optimal healthiness.
We recommend that you conclude an accident and liability insurance policy. Use an onboard computer that displays the respective kilometres travelled per day and is calibrated for the front wheel.
4.Special for mountain bikers – Fair-play rules:
Mountain biking is one of the most wonderful outdoor leisure-time activities. Whilst biking or on a mountain biking tour, mountains and lakes, meadows and cabins are re-discovered in new ways. A couple of rules for fair play in the forest help to avoid conflicts whilst mountain biking.
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.
c.Don’t drink and drive!: Do not drink alcohol when mountain biking. Take care at stop-off points (dealing with bike racks, dirty shoes or clothing).
It is obligatory to provide first aid!
d.Marked routes, closed paths and blockades: Keep to the marked routes, observe the blockades and accept that these roads are primarily for agricultural and forestry use!
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.
e.We are guests in the forest and behave accordingly, including vis-à-vis forestry and hunting staff. Whilst mountain biking, mobile telephones and music players are forbidden! Biking requires your full attention.
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!
i.Traffic rules: The general traffic rules (StVO) apply for all the mountain biking routes and we adhere to them. Our bike therefore needs to be in perfect technical condition and equipped in line with the traffic rules, including brakes, a bell and lights. We inspect and service our mountain bikes regularly anyway.
5.We assume no liability for the contents of external websites; in particular, we assume no liability for their statements and contents. Moreover, we have no influence on the design or contents of the websites to which hyperlinks on guide.oberoesterreich.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to guide.oberoesterreich.at. There is no on-going review of websites to which hyperlinks on guide.oberoesterreich.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to guide.oberoesterreich.at. We do not appropriate the contents of websites to which hyperlinks on guide.oberoesterreich.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to guide.oberoesterreich.at.
Vis-à-vis bloggers
PLEASE OBSERVE:
1. Each of your tour recommendations for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc., along with other details and information, is free of charge. In particular regarding the correctness of the information, we assume no liability, nor do we assume any liability whatsoever for the consequences of the use of your tour recommendation by a third party (in particular by a user of this website). We do not review the tour recommendations you post, including other details and information, at any time.
We have no intention of concluding a contract with persons who post tour recommendations and/or other details and information on this website. Posting data (information) does not imply that a contract has been concluded.
By recommending a tour, we assume special responsibility vis-à-vis other athletes. Please take this responsibility seriously and describe your tour recommendation with utmost care and to the best of your knowledge and belief.
2.Your tour recommendations must therefore clearly and unambiguously include at least the following criteria and provide a sufficiently detailed description:
• Starting point
• Detailed route description
• Distance/Overall distance
• Level of difficulty
• Dangerous spots
• Average duration of trip
• Change in altitude
• Finishing point.
If possible, please provide the change in altitude.
3.When you post a tour recommendation, you give us the order to save your tour recommendation and/or the details you provide on our website and to make it/them accessible to third parties, in particular to users of this website, in the long term. We reserve the right to block or delete tour recommendations and/or other details and/or information that you post, either partially or entirely, at any time without providing a justification. Should this occur, it grants you no rights whatsoever.
Thank you for your efforts!
4. We are not responsible for the contents of external websites; in particular, we do not assume any liability for their statements or contents. Furthermore, we do not influence the design or contents of websites that can be accessed from guide.oberoesterreich.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to guide.oberoesterreich.at. The websites that can be accessed from guide.oberoesterreich.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to guide.oberoesterreich.at are not regularly monitored. Furthermore, we do not assume any claims to the websites that can be accessed from guide.oberoesterreich.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to guide.oberoesterreich.at.
