Donausteig Stage 1_S03 Engelhartszell - Schlögen: "Over the 4/4 View to the Schlögen Loop"

From the Donausteig starting point "Engelhartszell", we walk along Sauwaldstraße to the Danube and then follow the Danube bank path downstream to the right. After the building of the shipping authority, a right turn (through the underpass) allows a detour to Engelszell Abbey. However, the Donausteig continues straight ahead and briefly climbs to Nibelungenstraße. Afterwards, the route follows the Danube bank for about 4 km: first along the towpath, later through Saag on a narrow hiking trail, and finally on a driveable path. At the Donausteig rest area "Danube View Rannariedl", the path leaves the Danube and leads out to Nibelungenstraße. There, continue left to Oberranna, where a driveable road branches off to the right to the chapel "Magna Mater Austriae". This leads uphill through the forest-rich Danube slopes. Past a forest clearing with two houses, the path descends after a hillcrest and leads down again to Nibelungenstraße. On this road, we cross the bridge over the Kleine Kösslbach and turn right. Now a forest road takes us moderately uphill into the seclusion of the forest-rich Kleine Kösslbach valley. After a bend, a trail branches off to the right and partly alpine-like leads through the most rustic part of the valley up to the rock balcony "Felsen-Blick" high above the valley. Shortly after, we stand at the edge of the gorge forest at the Donausteig rest area "Felsen-Blick". Now the rolling cultural landscape of the Sauwald plateau begins. In an S-curve (please do not shorten!), we go over the meadow to a farm, from which we reach a T-junction by a paved road with a slight incline. The road to the left leads straight to the Donausteig rest area "4/4 View". This road then continues on to Atzersdorf. Here, we turn left at the Sigl guesthouse and, at the next T-junction, continue right into the village of Aichberg. The Donausteig turns left at the fire station and after 100 m turns right again (at the former castle tavern). A field path leads in an S-curve to the forest edge at the terrain edge. After a short descent, we hike comfortably on forest paths along the forest-rich Danube slopes to Waldkirchen am Wesen. Near the parish church, a paved road begins, on which the Donausteig turns left to lead down to the main road Wesenufer-Neukirchen. We cross this and immediately turn left. A paved service road now takes us through the forest-rich Danube slopes down to a remote farm on a forest clearing (Vornwald). Afterwards, forest paths lead in wide switchbacks back up to the Sauwald plateau. Reaching the paved road (fire station), we turn left there to the Donausteig rest area "Paschinger Hill". The road then continues directly to Straß. Here, the Donausteig turns left. Via a field path, we make a left curve to the forest edge. Then initially a forest path, later a forest road in several switchbacks, leads down to the forest clearing in Mitterberg. There, continue left further down on the paved road. Passing the farm on the left, we then hike through the last section of Danube slope forest and finally reach Nibelungenstraße in Schlögen. Short right, then a small street on the left takes us directly to the Donausteig starting point "Schlögen" in front of Hotel Donauschlinge.

To make orientation easier for you, Donausteig has been equipped with its own orientation system – the description can be found here.

Engelhartszell can be reached by bus. A return transfer from Schlögen is also possible by bus. Information about departure times can be found at http://www.ooevv.at .

WGD Donau Upper Austria Tourism GmbH
Lindengasse 9
4040 Linz, Austria
Tel. +43(0)732/7277-800
Fax. +43(0)732/7277-804
info@donausteig.com 

Engelhartszell Municipal Office
Marktplatz 61
4090 Engelhartszell
Tel.: +43(0)7717/8055-16
Fax: +43(0)7717/8055-22
tourismus@engelhartszell.ooe.gv.at
www.engelhartszell.at

Haibach ob der Donau Municipality
4083 Haibach 40
Tel.: +43(0)7279/8235*
Fax: +43(0)7279/8235-16
haibach@oberoesterreich.at
www.haibach-donau.at