Section 2 Danube cycle path from Schlögen to Linz
From Schlögen an der Donau the bikes roll comfortably on an asphalt road meanders along, facing the other side. An untouched piece of nature lies between Au and Grafenau. The flora and fauna developed here on the Danube is unique in Europe.
With the Danube bus, one along ferry between Au and Grafenau, it is possible to drive 5 km on the Danube through the Schlögener loop. If you have stayed on the north bank, it is a special experience to bridge the missing part of the bike path in this way.
River meanders, untouched nature on the Danube Cycle Path
But we continue cycling via Inzell to Kobling and enjoy a particularly beautiful scenic section of the Danube cycle path. In Kobling we take the ferry back to Obermühl on the other side of the river.
In order to be able to pull cargo ships up the river with ropes, paths were laid directly along the bank, so-called towpaths or stairways. Through the initiative and commitment of a Linzer, Mr. KR Manfred Traunmüller, one of the initiators of the Danube Cycle Path, it was possible to use the former stepped paths as cycle paths. In 1982 the first section of the Danube Cycle Path was opened in Austria.
The Danube is as smooth as a lake
Through the Exlau to Untermühl we cycle close to the banks of the Danube. The river is dammed here, retrospectively from the Aschach power plant. An atmosphere like on an idyllic lake, the Danube looks almost unreal, a calmly reflecting water surface with ducks and swans. This is where the Schlögener loop ends.
Robber tower in Neuhaus
Raised on wooded rock high above the Danube Neuhaus Castle. A little below on a protruding granite reef we see the chain tower (popularly also called "Lauerturm" or "Räuberturm"). The chain tower was built in the 14th century. The Danube was blocked with chains to keep the Sailors' toll to levy.
In Untermühl we can either circumnavigate the rocks with a longitudinal ferry and then continue cycling on the north bank of the Danube, or we take the transverse ferry across to the south bank to Kaiserhof.
Soon after the Aschach power plant, we reach the small market town Ashach. An old town on the Danube worth seeing with town houses from the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods. You can learn a lot about the old craft of shipbuilding in the “Schopper Museum".
Most magnificent Rococo church in German-speaking countries, Wilhering Abbey
We stay on the right bank of the Danube and cycle flat, through alluvial forests via Brandstatt to Wilhering. That Wilhering Abbey was founded in 1146 and rebuilt after the big fire in 1733. The Collegiate Church, which is well worth seeing, is one of the most splendid Rococo churches in German-speaking countries.
A Danube ferry connects Wilhering with Ottensheim, a small market town with town houses from the 16th century.
Linz is Unesco City of Media Arts
It is not far to Linz on the Danube. The capital of Upper Austria is UNESCO City of Media Arts.
The Danube Cycle Path runs from Ottensheim via Puchenau to Linz on its own cycle route along the main road. This road is very busy and noisy. Covering this stretch by train is an alternative. With a ferry, the Danube bus, you can travel on the Danube from Ottensheim to Linz.
Despite a fire around 1800, some Renaissance town houses and older houses with baroque facades have been preserved in Linz's old town and result in a very beautiful inner city. Today, young people and students use the many offers of a lively cultural scene the city on the Danube.
