Danube Cycle Path Stage 1 North Bank: Passau - Schlögen
4040 Linz
From Bavarian Venice to the Giant of the Danube
Recommended season:
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- Multi-stage route
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
- Family friendly
- Cultural/historical value
- Geological highlights
- Botanical highlights
From Bavarian Venice to the Giant of the Danube
North or South route – this is the question at the start of your first stage, as you can reach the day's destination on both Danube banks. Regardless of your choice: Before you set off, you have ample opportunity to visit Passau’s sights such as the old town, residence, and St. Stephen's Cathedral (see also E1-S). As soon as you cross the Danube on the Luitpold Bridge, the fortresses Ober- and Niederhaus greet you in farewell from the city of three rivers. Oberhaus, long the seat of the Passau bishops, houses among other things a city and medieval museum.
Tip for culture lovers: Start your cycling route in the baroque town of Schärding with its beautiful Silver Row. From there, you can comfortably reach Passau and the Danube Cycle Path via the Inn Cycle Path.
Very impressive are soon the sunny southern slopes of the Donauleiten nature reserve, home to the delicate alpine violet, the magnificent Turk's cap lily, and the shimmering emerald lizard. Through the village of Erlau you head to Obernzell, where a ceramics museum is housed in the massive castle directly on the river. Your onward journey is accompanied by a view of the mighty keep of Vichtenstein Castle (12th century) on the opposite bank, where the Haugstein (895 m), the highest elevation of the Upper Austrian Sauwald, also towers.
The Nature Experience Center Haus am Strom, shaped by architects like "wave and pebble," welcomes you among other things with a special water elevator. A series of interesting and engaging nature tours introduce you to the fauna and flora of the region. If the view of Engelszell Abbey tempts you for a short visit on the opposite bank (see also E1-S), you can cross the Danube via the Jochenstein power plant.
On the north bank, you soon reach Niederranna (Danube bridge), where a long-established boat builder invites you for a Zille boat trip on the water. Now it is not far until you can either cross by ferry to Schlögen or continue the stage on the north bank with a refreshing ride through the Schlögener Schlinge by Donaubus, the Au-Grafenau cross-river ferry.
Directions:Passau - Ilzstadt - Erlau - Obernzell - Niederranna - Schlögen
Route description
You begin the stage directly at Passau station. To reach the Danube as quickly as possible, follow the signs "to the Danube Cycle Path" and shortly afterwards you will catch your first glimpse of your future companion. Follow the river downstream and cross the Danube over the Luitpold Bridge. Here you can already see the Ober- and Niederhaus fortress, which combines the administrative center, residence, government buildings, and fortress in one.
After crossing the Ilz Bridge, keep right and from now on always follow the marked path along the Danube. You will soon enter the Donauleiten nature reserve, whose steep slopes mark the southern edge of the Bavarian Forest. The slopes are mostly densely forested, with bizarre rock formations visible in only a few spots. Due to the steep terrain and southern exposure, the nature in this area is largely untouched and impresses with a diverse flora and fauna.
In Erlau, you cross the eponymous stream and follow the cycle path to Obernzell. Soon, on the other side of the river, the mighty Vichtenstein Castle from the 12th century comes into view, and slightly offset is the 895 m high Haugstein, considered the highest elevation in the Alpine foreland. A few kilometers downstream you pass the "Haus am Strom," whose architecture resembles the shape of a wave. With numerous water features, an exhibition, and a beer garden with regional cuisine, the house offers a welcome destination for a break. As an alternative to continuing with a view of Engelszell Abbey, there is the option to cross the Danube over the Jochenstein power plant and return to the north bank with the Engelhartszell bike ferry.
In Niederranna, with the Witti Zille rental, one of the last Zille builders can be found. Shortly after the Haichenbach ruin, the famous Schlögener Schlinge begins on the ridge, where the Danube describes a picturesque 180° curve. The stage ends with a short ferry crossing over the Danube to Schlögen or with a Donaubus ride (Au-Grafenau cross-river ferry) through the Schlögener Schlinge to Grafenau.
Tip:Discovery journeys with pleasurable stops! This route passes directly by the following culinary partners:
- Thalhammers in Feldkirchen
- Wögerer in Feldkirchen
- Hotel Fautschlöss'l in Feldkirchen
- Donautaler Mostkellerei in Obermühl
- Hotel Wesenufer in Waldkirchen am Wesen
- Gasthof Luger in Neustift
- Hotel Donauschlinge in Haibach
- DonAu-Standl in Au an der Donau
- Radlerbauernhof Moser in Mitterkirchen
Paths covering:
further information:
- Multi-day tour
- Board possible
Under the motto "Ecologically clean", we were awarded the 1st ÖKO model company in Upper Austria in 1996.
The e-bike charging station at Gasthof Luger offers cyclists on the Danube Cycle Path the opportunity to charge their e-bike free of charge.
Please note: Don't forget your e-bike charger.
Die kleine Töpferschänke liegt direkt am “Donauradweg Passau – Wien” in Obernzell hinter dem fürstbischöflichen Schloss gegenüber der Donaufähre. Neben dem Grundstück befindet sich zudem ein Kinderspielplatz und das Keramikmuseum.
Auf dem in der Töpferei hergestellten Geschirr werden Ihnen Brotzeiten, Getränke, Kaffee und Kuchen serviert.
Schmankerl und Brotzeiten werden für Sie frisch zubereitet. In dem Töpferschänken-Gartenbetrieb ist Selbstbedienung.
Aus der Brotzeitkarte:
süffige Biere und Getränke der Brauerei Hacklberg,
Mühlviertler Bauernmost,
Weine aus Franken und vom Neusiedler See,
Schnäpse vom Bauern,
Brettljause,
Schmalzbrot,
Schnittlauchbrot,
frisches niederbayerisches Schwarzgeräuchtertes,
Käseplatte,
Glasfleisch mit Bauernbrot,
hausgemachte Kuchen,
Kaffee,
Kräuter-Tee aus dem Garten.
Gut zu wissen:
Jeden Donnerstag ab ca. 18 Uhr gibt es frische selbstgeräuchterte Forellen vom Hof mit Bauernbrot und Krenn.
An Sonn- und Feiertagen ab 10 Uhr gibt es kesselfrische Weißwürste mit Breze.
Zu besonderen Anlässen und auf Vorbestellung ab 10 Personen gibt es Steckerlfisch oder Ripperl vom Holzkohlengrill.
Herkunft und Qualität:
Die Weine aus Franken-Escherndorf und Österreich-Podersdorf kommen direkt vom Weinbauern, Schnaps und Most vom Ostbauern aus dem Donautal und Mühlviertel.
Fleisch, Fische, Wurst, Leberkäs’, Würstl und Geräuchertes stammen aus der niederbayerisch-oberösterreichischen Region.
Der Bergkäse stammt aus der Schweizer Bio-Sennerei Andeer in Graubünden.
Öffnungszeiten Sommer:
April – Oktober – ausschließlich Gartenbetrieb!
Dienstag & Mittwoch, 10 – 17 Uhr.
Donnerstag bis Sonntag von 10 – 21 Uhr.
Bei schlechter Witterung ist geschlossen.
Montag ist unser Ruhetag.
Öffnungszeiten Winter:
Oktober – April – Stüberl!
Donnerstag, Freitag, Sonntag, 11 – 22 Uhr.
The story of in Neustift im Mühlkreis began decades ago, when Markus Luger's great-grandfather laid the foundation stone with a small inn. Today, it has become a culinary jewel that celebrates the Danube, its fish and the Mühlviertel region in a masterful way. Here, where time seems to pass more slowly, the Luger family welcomes their guests with a warmth that makes you feel that you are not just in a restaurant, but in the heart of a passion that has been lived for four generations.
The Luger family business: that's Markus, his aunts, uncles and his daughter, who together make the business what it is - a place filled with a deep connection to nature and a history that began with a passion for fishing and has been passed down through generations. Markus and his family specialise in one type of fish in particular - Danube fish, which they catch fresh in front of the house. Preparing the fish at Gasthaus Luger requires a special skill: cupping - an almost forgotten technique of fish preparation in which fine, parallel incisions are made in the skin of the fish, allowing spices, marinades or other flavours to penetrate deep into the fish flesh. The range of fish that can be tasted at the restaurant extends from white fish such as aitel, barbel and bream to noble fish such as trout, char, pikeperch and carp. But it's not just fish lovers who get their money's worth at Gasthaus Luger, as the restaurant offers a variety of different dishes ranging from traditional Austrian cuisine - such as the Mühlviertler Bierschnitzel filled with bacon, sheep's cheese and herbs - to vegetarian options and homemade pastries. The cuisine at Gasthaus Luger is characterised by the use of ingredients from the restaurant's own farm and many local producers.
For Markus, the connection to the region is not just a promise, but a way of life that has been built up and strengthened through years of relationships with local farmers and producers. These friendships are reflected in the ingredients, which find their way into the kitchen fresh and of the highest quality every day. A mixture of deep tranquillity and warm hospitality prevails at the inn.
Guests travelling along the Donau cycle path, on the Penzenstein-Runde, the Donaulimes Welterbe-Runde Passau-Schlögen-Passau can look forward not only to fresh dishes, but also to tastings and seasonally changing menus. Here, far away from everyday life, guests will find a place to stop and savour - be it with a freshly caught fish dish or a glass of wine with a view of the passing Danube.
The following tour also leads past the Gasthof Luger fish restaurant:
Donauflair mit altem Fischereirecht und Gastgarten.
We offer Austrian, down-to-earth food and all kinds of good wines from our rustic wine cellar. Which you can enjoy with our good Mühlviertler delicacies. Fantastic views of Europe's second longest river and the passing ships. Forget your everyday life, enjoy cosiness and tranquillity.
The gentle lapping of the water, the singing of the birds and the sun's rays winking through the leafy canopy. Our guest garden in the green invites you to linger. Our nature shows its best side especially in the Danube valley. Many excursion destinations await you, which you can hike to strengthen yourself.
Do you want to find out why it rains, how the water comes into the tap and what kinds of fish are swimming in the water? Would you like to experience what water means, that it is the most important comestible and will determine our future? - Then you should visit Haus am Strom!
Here you are shown how nature and technology, ecology and economy create a symbiosis. Economical usage of natural, environment friendly materials, electricity and heating from an environmentally friendly hydroelectric power station – and all of that packed into a futuristic and unique architecture that puts the theme water into effect.
Guided tours on request.
Cyclists' meeting on the Danube Cycle Path Passau-Vienna.
Our farm is located directly on the Danube Cycle Path and is therefore a wonderful rest stop or starting point for a bike tour.
Snack station, vacation on the farm
Es sind genügend Parkplätze vorhanden (darunter auch Behinderten- und Busparkplätze), sowie ein Langzeitparkplatz für Radfahrer und Schiffsreisende. Zur Ausstattung zählen Gästezimmer und ein Kinderspielsplatz am Grundstück.
Durchgehend warme Küche von 11:00 bis 20:30 Uhr.
Freitag ist Ruhetag.
From Au on the left bank of the Danube, the Hotel Donauschlinge cycle ferry takes you to the right bank of the Danube, from where you can continue your journey through the Danube loop.
The Riverresort Donauschlinge, your first stage destination on the Danube cycle path Passau - Vienna, is located directly at the landing stage.
Große Fenster und die traumhafte Terrasse geben einen imposanten Blick auf Donau und Veste Oberhaus frei. Die raffinierte Einrichtung aus edlen Materialien sowie ein eleganter Fest- und modern ausgestatteter Konferenzraum geben dem Restaurant ein einzigartiges Ambiente. Die Küche ist kreativ, bayerisch, modern und vor allem sehr köstlich! Tolle Wein- und Cocktailkarte.
- Bestlage mit Terrasse, nahe Rathaus an der Uferpromenade
- tolles Ambiente und fantastische Aussicht
- kreative Küche mit bayerischen Schmankerl und Themenwochen
The rest areas consist of an exposed concrete column, reminiscent of a Roman milestone, bearing a Roman head created by artist Miguel Horn and containing information about the local community, the Danube cycle path and the Romans, as well as a 5 metre long rest bench made of concrete and stone and a paved floor made of Danube pebbles. The architecture is based on design elements from Roman times.
The design for the Roman rest areas was the result of a competition organised jointly with the University of Art and Design Linz and won by student Lukas Beltrame. An important partner in the construction of the squares is the construction academy in Steyregg, which produced all the built-in parts for the squares with its apprentices.
Im Sommer steht eine Sonnenterrasse mit Schirmen zur Verfügung.
In this family-run business flat-bottom wooden boats (Zille) are built in different variations depending on the customer requirements. Traditional boats are offered in many variations just the same as ferries or boats for fishing. In addition, wooden sailing boats, built according to the idea of the sailing icon Hubert Raudaschl, are offered.
Besides the standard boat shapes we are very flexible in terms of the shape of the boat, the interior and the body. You can let us know your expectations in a personal talk and we will try to fulfil them.
Since 1820 the family Königsdorfer builds the for the Danube region typical flat-bottom wooden boats. The head of the house, Rudolf Königsdorfer, is one of the last boat builder on the Danube and ensures that every year about 80 handmade flat-bottom wooden boats leave his house.
And they still do much of old boat building tradition. 200 years of traditional knowledge.
Direction information: Departure
Direction information: Destination
Getting there
Take the E56 to the Passau-Mitte (116) exit and then follow the B12 towards Fürstenzell/Danube. Turn right directly at the Danube onto the B8/Regensburger Straße and follow the signs to "station".
Public Transit
By train to Passau main station.
Parking
Parking in Passau.
- Suitable for families
- Suitable for children
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Early winter
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.donauregion.at/
https://www.donauregion.at/
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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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