Donaulimes World Heritage Circuit: Stage 2 Schlögen-Passau
4040 Linz
Donaulimes – In the Land of the "Barbarians"
Recommended season:
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Multi-stage route
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
- Family friendly
- Cultural/historical value
- Geological highlights
- Botanical highlights
- Faunistic highlights
The second stage of this enjoyable river cycling tour, in search of the fascination of the UNESCO World Heritage Danube Limes, leads upstream on the outer side of the Danube Limes – in the land of the barbarians – back to Passau. After a magnificent view deep down on the natural wonder of the Schlögen Danube loop and an authentic Danube crossing with a bike ferry, idyllic river cycling along rare hillside and gorge forests delights. Thoughts inevitably awaken of the eternal forests of the free Germanic tribes in Roman times. Every border has two sides!
Highlights:
- Natural wonder Schlögen Danube loop (viewing platform & ferry crossing)
- Upper Danube narrow valley (rare hillside and gorge forests = primeval forest of the free Germanic tribes)
- Obernzell (graphite – the black gold)
- Old town peninsula Passau (fortress city Batavis + Roman harbor)
The famous natural wonder Schlögen Danube loop is the magnificent start of this stage. Deeply embedded, the Danube lies here in the long breakthrough section of the Upper Danube valley and changes its flow direction twice by almost 180 degrees within a few kilometers. After overnighting “in” the castle on the Danube bank, a short hike up to the viewing platform “Schlögener Donaublick” is recommended: only the view from above reveals the fascination of this natural spectacle – simply breathtaking! Tip: Enjoy the scenic film in early morning, then have breakfast (total walking time ~ 1 hour)! Now the bike tour can begin. Like Roman scouting troops once did, we cross the mighty Danube via a (bike) ferry. The waters are tame today, feared in the past. Upon reaching the north bank, we stand beyond the protective Danube Limes – in the land of the barbarians!
Now follows idyllic pleasure river cycling at its best: the steep valley slopes delight with wonderful mixed forests – the last large hillside and gorge (primeval) forests of Central Europe. Quiet, well-paved side roads follow the broad Danube band. And almost no houses. An intense river-nature experience and a feeling of remoteness set in. Here you can sense a little how the Romans perceived the land of the “barbarians.” The Roman historian Publius Cornelius Tacitus (1st century) described the land of the free Germanic tribes as “... either frightening through forests or horrible through its swamps ...”. The background: the Mediterranean homeland of the Romans had already been cultivated for centuries. Thus, large forests caused unease for them. The free Germanic tribes, on the other hand, felt comfortable in the extensive primeval forests. They were by no means uncultured primeval forest barbarians. There was no single people, but countless various tribes who settled and lived very differently. Thus, a rich culture developed, which, however, fundamentally differed from Roman culture.
At the Zillenhafen in Freizell, a Roman resting place offers insight into Roman military shipping. Appropriate, since one of the last Zille builders of Austria is located next door. Zillen are very flat wooden boats that were used in similar form already since Roman times. Tip: Here there is the rare opportunity to rent such a motorized Zille even without a boat license!
From the Jochenstein power plant, the lightly trafficked Danube bank road continues to the wonderful market of Obernzell. (Water) castle, historic market square, butcher, ... a true Bavarian jewel! Rare graphite is mined nearby. Ceramics can be made particularly fireproof by this additive, but also acquire a characteristic black coloration. Celts and Romans knew these deposits and traded with this black pottery. Graphite – the black gold! The bike runs easily on a separate cycle path along the now well-used Danube bank road and follows the meanders of the Danube valley. The forest slopes become lower. At the rest stop “Donau-Nixe,” a last view back into the natural gorge of the Upper Danube valley opens. The surroundings become more urban.
The view perspective of the confluence of the three rivers of Passau from this side is the final highlight: the rivers, the magnificent old town peninsula, the Oberhaus fortress, ... – simply breathtaking! First, we cross the Black Ilz. The Prinzregent-Luitpold-Bridge brings us from the land of the barbarians across the broad Danube back into the Roman Empire. Right after the bridge, the Roman square reminds us of the castles on the old town peninsula. The connected Danube harbor was located at the height of the magnificent town hall square (easy to recognize by the building ensemble: old customs office, old town hall with tower and new town hall). At the main station, our discovery bike tour in search of the fascination of the UNESCO World Heritage Danube Limes ends.
Tip:Discovery journeys with a pleasurable stop! This route passes directly by the following culinary partner:
Safety guidelines:
Signage:
To make orientation easier for you, this themed cycling path has been marked with its own cycling guidance system. There are adaptations for the Bavarian and Upper Austrian state cycling systems in use.
Special note:
Attention! Border crossing Upper Austria – Bavaria at Passau. Don’t forget your passport!
further information:
- Multi-day tour
- Board possible
Public Transit
How to get to the Danube region?
The fastest way to your destination – by train, bus, car, ship or plane.
Parking
Free parking in Schlögen opposite the Römerbad Schlögen
- 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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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.
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Altitude profile - Donaulimes World Heritage Circuit: Stage 2 Schlögen-Passau
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