The Danube Walking Trail – Linz to Vienna
Footloose - 7 Nights/8 Days
There is a new footpath for walkers, the Donausteig, embedded in the valley of the Danube River and hemmed in by gentle ridges.
At approximately 450 km long, the new DONAUSTEIG takes you past the most beautiful sights on the Danube along the ridge of hills from Passau via Linz to Grein. Ancient fortresses, dreamy castles and historic ruins watch over the river while pretty villages and farms invite you to linger. The pathway winds through shady forests, colourful flowery meadows and lively gurgling streams. The recurring views of the Danube are breathtaking.
Itinerary and Highlights
- Day 1 LINZ. Arrival in Linz, the modern provincial capital.
- Day 2 LINZ - ENNS VIA ST FLORIAN (32 km, 8 hrs. 100m in altitude). Leave Linz for the days walking through historic towns and villages with Baroque abbeys, rolling landcapes. On arrival in Enns, the oldest town in Austria, the landmark of the 15th century bell tower comes into view.
- Day 3 ENNS VIA MAUTHAUSEN TO PERG (20 km, 5.5 hrs, 100m in altitude). Todays walk takes you through the flad Machland, a beautiful and fertile region. You will walk through Lorch and take a ferry across the river to Mauthausen, the site of the Nazi concentration camp. Continue through forest and typical small Austrian villages to reach the town of Perg, with its 17th century church.
- Day 4 PERG TO GREIN (18 km - 500m ascents 4.5 hours). Take the Dpmaiiferbajm traom from Perg to Baumgartenberg to begin the walk to Grein, known as the pearl of the Strudengau region. The rail rolls through meadows, cultivated fields, small fields, forests and villages to Klam with its medieval castle and Burg Clam. Hike to Muhlviertal then descend the winding path to Grein. Visit the cosy wine taverns, cafes and restaurants around the market place. Visit the Maritime Museum, theatre I the historic town centre.
- Day 5 GREIN - ST NIKOLA WALDHAUSEN (21 km - 5.5 hrs, 850m in altitude). Follow the Danube downstream to the old Giessenbach mill. The trial meanders through forest and villages like St Nikola and Sarmingstein. Climb the sides of the river for stunning views before walking towards Waldhausen with its traditional housed, church, town square and hot strudel.
- Day 6 WALDHAUSEN - BAD KREUZEN – GREIN (24.2 km - 6 hrs, 750m in altitude). Walk towards Waldausen monastery and castle fortress of Bad Kreuzen. Follow the trail to Wolfsschlucht Gorge. Pass over the Wolfsschlucht Burg Kreuzen. Walk through villages and towns of Speckalm, Lehen and Muhlgerg on the way to Grein.
- Day 7 GREIN – VIENNA. Morning free to visit the Austrian Maritime Museum in the Greinburg castle. Take the midday boat to and cruise down the Danube passing castles, picturesque villages, vineyards of the Wachau region. Stop at Durnstein and the wine merchants town of Krems. The highlight is a visit to the Benedictine Abbey of Melk, which along with the Wachau area was the “Best Historic Destination of the World 2008”. Overnight in Vienna
- Day 8 VIENNA. Tour concludes after breakfast.
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