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Traditional wooden ferry on turquoise Danube River near Engelhartszell with colorful buildings and forested hills in background under blue sky.

Danube Trail

Passau - Linz

7 Days / 6 Nights
Mountain Hiking
Traditional wooden ferry on turquoise Danube River near Engelhartszell with colorful buildings and forested hills in background under blue sky.

The essentials at a glance

The Danube Trail leads through Austria from Passau to Linz, covering approximately 90 km over 6 hiking days. Highlights include a boat ride to Kasten, Engelszell Abbey with its Rococo church, Marsbach Castle, and the spectacular Schlögener Schlinge river meander. The route traverses the rolling hills of Mühlviertel with medieval ruins and offers panoramic views. Mountain hiking with moderate ascents and descents up to 700m, suitable for hikers with good basic fitness.

The route begins in the cathedral city of Passau and follows the Danube all the way to Linz. Along the way, you’ll hike across gently rolling ridges above the river, wander through shady forests, pass by castle ruins, and reach enchanting viewpoints—stopping for a well-earned break at the famous Schlögener Blick. Panoramas like these will accompany you time and again, as the trail opens up breathtaking views of the Danube at every turn. And in between, welcoming farm taverns invite you to savor homemade specialties paired with freshly pressed cider (known locally as ‘Most’) or fruit juices.

View of Passau's historic old town across the Danube River, showing baroque churches with green domes and colorful buildings under blue sky.
Three hikers with backpacks walking on a path along the turquoise Danube River. Dense green forest covers the hillside in the background.
Engelszell Abbey complex with yellow monastery building, church with orange roof and black onion dome tower, set against forested hills.
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Bianca Hirnböck
Bianca Hirnboeck
+43 6219 60877 166
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Starting from the Bavarian town of Passau, the tour continues into Kasten in Austria and later crosses the Danube by ferry to Engelhartszell. After a scenic hike along the Donauleiten to Penzenstein, the route leads to Wesenufer and further on to Schlögen. Along the way, you can enjoy the famous Danube Bend before continuing via Aschach to the final destination, Linz.

  • Engelszell Abbey: This impressive building is Austria’s only Trappist monastery, renowned for its exquisite Rococo style.
  • Marsbach Castle: This magnificent structure resembles a fortress and is the oldest noble residence in the Upper Mühlviertel. Situated on a narrow ridge, it offers spectacular views of the Danube.
  • Schlögen Danube Bend: The river meander in the upper Danube Valley is Europe’s largest forced meander. The region is dotted with ruins from the turbulent medieval era of robber barons, including the Heichenbach ruins.
  • Linz: In this picturesque city, be sure to visit the main square, home to the Old Town Hall and the Old Cathedral, both designed in the Baroque style.

This tour along the Danube is classified as “mountain hiking”. With proper hiking gear and good basic fitness, the tour is very manageable. Note that the route includes small ascents and descents, some of which can be steeper.

View of Passau's historic old town across the Danube River, showing baroque churches with green domes and colorful buildings under blue sky.
Three hikers with backpacks walking on a path along the turquoise Danube River. Dense green forest covers the hillside in the background.
Engelszell Abbey complex with yellow monastery building, church with orange roof and black onion dome tower, set against forested hills.

Itinerary at a glance

Impressive historical sites along the Danube Trail include Engelszell Abbey and Marsbach Castle. The Schlögener Schlinge highlights the tremendous power of nature, while you can admire art and culture in Linz.

Immerse yourself in the charm of Passau’s old town during a relaxed, leisurely stroll.

Enjoy a short boat ride to Kasten, where you’ll join the Donausteig and complete your first stage to the Danube ferry crossing into Engelhartszell. Engelszell Abbey, Austria’s only Trappist monastery, is renowned for its stunning Rococo church.

Take the ferry back to the northern bank of the Danube. Today’s hike climbs steeply up the “Donauleiten” to Penzenstein, offering a splendid view over the valley. From there, the trail winds across gentle hills to the ruins of Rannariedl. After descending, continue along the Danube until you reach Wesenufer.

Hike up to Marsbach Castle today, with the rolling hills of the Mühlviertel as your scenic companion all the way to the Schlögener Schlinge. The many ruins along the route recall the turbulent era of medieval robber barons on the Danube. From Heichenbach Ruin, you’ll catch your first glimpse of your stage destination in Schlögen.

Marvel at the natural spectacle of a river meander: the Schlögener Schlinge. Take your time on the steep climb to the Schlögener Blick, where a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire Danube bend awaits.

The day begins with a bus ride from Aschach to Ottensheim. From there, hike toward Linz, enjoying continuous views of Wilhering Abbey and passing over the scenic Pöstlingberg along the way.

Day
07

Departure or extension

View of the Danube River at Schlögener Schlinge with forested hills and white wildflowers in foreground. Blue sky with wispy clouds above.
Hiker with orange backpack walking on forest trail through dense beech forest on the Donausteig hiking path in Austria.
Castle Neuhaus sits atop a forested hill overlooking the green Danube River, framed by birch leaves under a blue sky with white clouds.
Three hikers walking through a flowering meadow on the Donausteig trail in Mühlviertel under bright sunshine with trees and hills in background.
View of Linz Castle Museum on a green hill overlooking the Danube River, with city buildings and mountains in the background under blue sky.
Colorful flower beds on Hauptplatz square in Linz with yellow historic buildings and twin-towered church in the background under blue sky.

Difficulty level

Mountain Hiking

Hikes on good hiking and forest paths and partly on tarmac secondary roads. The hikes are technically easy and can be mastered without difficulty; a good basic fitness level is sufficient for tours of up to 6 hours.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in 3***- and 4****-hotels & inns
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book
  • Service hotline

Services optional

  • Information package incl. printed travel documents and maps (in advance by post) as well as welcome briefing on site, EUR 45

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Arrival by train via Graz to Feldbach
  • Graz airport
  • Parking: free hotel parking spaces

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Minimum number of participants: 2 persons
  • Special dates for groups of min. 4 persons on request
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in 3***- and 4****-hotels
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • 1 boat ride Passau – Kasten

 

  • 1 bus ride Aschach – Ottensheim
  • 1 train ride Linz – Passau
  • Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book
  • Service hotline

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Arrival by train to Passau
  • Linz, Salzburg or Munich airport
  • Parking: public parking garage, approx. EUR 13 per day or public parking spaces, approx. EUR 9 per day. Reservation necessary, payable on site
  • Return journey to Passau by train, duration approx. 1.5 hours (included in the tour price) or by boat, not included in the tour price (www.donauschifffahrt.eu)

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.
Bianca Hirnböck

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Bianca Hirnboeck
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+43 6219 60877 166
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