R1.03 Donauengtal circuit
- Suitable for families
- culturally interesting
- Flatly
Interactive elevation profile
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Tour-Details
Paths covering:
'Inspiring Danube gorge – river riding with views into the depths'
Technique: ***
Quality of experience: ******
Recommended season:
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
Properties:
- Loop
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
- Family friendly
- Cultural/historical value
Upper Danube Valley - around 90 km in length, up to 300m deep, home to the biggest natural gorge and sloping mixed woodland areas in Central Europe ... On this sporty cycling circuit you ride through the narrow valley floor upstream along the Danube and across its rooftop back to the fantastic Sauwald Panoramastraße. With a 3 km descent into the Danube gorge.
Highlights:
- Engelszell Abbey (this abbey church is a Rococo gem)
- Engelhartszeller Danube World (large aquarium, sensory garden), Schütz Art Museum ...
- UNESCO world heritage site 'Kleincastell Oberranna'
- Vichtenstein Castle
- Vichtenstein parish church (Wondrous Madonna figure)
- Forellenzirkus St. Aegidi
Directions:
The Upper Danube Valley – The Danube flows through on around 90 km, between Hofkirchen in Bavaria and Aschach in Upper Austria, and this is one its longest breakthrough valleys. To the east of Passau, at up to 300m deep, it is also the deepest Danube gorge. In the inaccessible valley flanks, the last main natural gorge and sloping mixed woodland areas in Central Europe has been able to survive. A natural treasure which is today preserved by the 'Oberes Donau- und Aschachtal' European conservation area.
The start point is located on an alluvial plain – Wesenufer. Inconspicuous today, this pretty Danube town was particularly significant at one time: ferry, market rights ... and Niederwesen Castle (= today the Hotel Wesenufer)! After the settlement area the river bank narrows and you cycle on Nibelungenstraße through the area of mixed woodland on the valley flank – with a short interim ascent – up to Oberranna. The UNESCO world heritage site 'Kleincastell Oberranna' brings the life of the famous Danubian Limes back to life. After that, a lovely cycle path accompanies Nibelungenstraße through the wooded slopes – with an interim ascent – up to Saag. You now cycle on side roads along the edge of the rural alluvial plains to the splendid Engelszell Abbey - a Danube highlight! The world-renowned abbey church is one of the most stylistically pure Rococo gems in Austria and inspires with its contemporary ceiling fresco. It is worth making a short detour to Engelhartszell, heading to the lovely town centre. It recounts its prosperity as an imperial toll station and, with the sites of 'Engelhartszeller Donauwelt', fuses to become the adventure realm that is the 'Danube'! At the end of the town the banks once narrow. Now pleasure-filled river cycling at its very best begins. On practically flat terrain, you now pedal on the legendary 'Treppelweg' next to the Danube, through the woodland gorge. The purring of tyres, a cooling breeze, the boats ... Just down from Jochenstein power station, a little rocky island which has a cross, rises up out of the waters – the Jochenstein. Legend has it that it was there that the mermaid Isa lived, luring sailors to their doom with her singing. So take care! Some 2 km up from the power station, a pleasure-filled cycle path once again accompanies the Nibelungenstraße – now right on the banks of the Danube. Incidentally, in Kasten there is a key crossing to Obernzell. It was here that salt was able to be transported via land, past Passau toll to Bohemia. The little church is well worth a visit and the building 'Kasten 1' bears witness to this era. The rest of the village was engulfed by the backwater of Jochenstein power station.
In Pyrawang the wonderful Sauwald panoramic road begins, with a 330 metre ascent to the rooftop of the Danube Gorge. Along the panoramic road, set-out view points providing wonderful views in and across the Danube Gorge inspire. So take your time and enjoy it! The road proceeds through the steep forested flanks continually uphill, and at the top inspires with its rural cultural landscape. In Oberbamberg you reach the Sauwald high plateau. Lush pastures, small fields, lovely orchards, little woodlands, scattered farming hamlets ... and sublime views – a pure Sauwald rural idyll! Enjoy some pleasure-filled riding in a loop via Esternberg across the hilly plateau. Just before Urschendorf you come to the highest point. Congratulations! A 2km descent back to the valley flank of the Danube Gorge provides some recovery. The Danube altitude town of Vichtenstein is an unexpected highlight: the (Fehde-)Burg Vichtenstein, the pretty parish church and its wonderful Virgin Mother, superb views ... It is here that the 'summiteering' starts, on the altitude road through the eternal forests of the Haugstein (= highest Sauwald summits). Perspiration trickles; thoughts flow. At the start of the forest clearing of the hamlet of Unterweinbrunn you come to the highest point of the circuit (660 m). Congratulations! The slightly undulating terrain continues through the mountain forest, then there is a speedy downhill. Afterwards you whoosh along on an agricultural ridge with concealed views to the Danube (Flenkental) - and a brief counter climb – down into the forest trough at Sausende Bach. A short (forested) ascent takes you back on to the Sauwald high plateau. St. Aegidi is the starting point for a 4.5 km pleasure-filled descent via an altitude ridge which is a consummate Sauwald rural idyll. Cycling is like cruising! In Sittling the ascent to the final altitude ridge begins. Once you get to the top, it's worth making a short detour to see the unusual Vier-Viertel-Blick. The 360° panoramic views provide extensive views to all four 'quarters' of Upper Austria! Riding on, the Sauwald high plateau once again reveals its loveliest side. In Waldkirchen am Wesen the crowning finale follows: a 3 km speedy fun descent through the steep forest flanks of Donauengtal to Wesenufer. River riding with views down into the depths!
Tip:
Journeys of discovery with an enjoyable stopover! This tour leads directly past the following culinary partner:
Safety guidelines:
This sporty cycle circuit uses mainly quiet, asphalt (side) roads, goods roads and cycle paths. Basic gear technique is expedient for the climbing sections, while basic braking technique is required for the long descents.
Signage:
To make orientation easier for you, the Danube Cycle Path circuits are designated with their own cycle guidance system. This circuit follows the "R1.03 Donauengtal-Runde" signposts.
further information:
- Flatly
- Board possible
Public Transit
Location and getting there
How to arrive in the Danube Upper Austrian region? The fast way to your destination – by train, bus, car, boat or plane.
- 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
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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.
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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.
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Interactive elevation profile
Create PDF
Tour-Details
Paths covering: