The landscape of the Upper Danube Valley with its wooded riverbanks is beautiful. But the fact that the world's first Zero Energy Museum is located right here in the municipality of Engelhartszell? The Schütz Art Museum is a real insider tip and home to works of classical modernism from Klimt, Schiele and Kokoschka to Waldmüller, Moll and Egger-Lienz. Lovers of great views can set off from Engelhartszell on the"Sauwald Panoramastraße", up into the heights above the great river of Central Europe.
The Danube Valley is the most charming route across Upper Austria to the provincial capital Linz - with a unique natural wonder. In the Schlögener Schlinge, the Danube forces its way through the hard rock of its riverbed in a double loop. The view from the Schlögener Blick after a short hike is marvellous.
Between the ancient granite plateau of the Mühlviertel in the north and the ridge of the Kürnberg Forest in the south, the Danube breaks its way into Linz.
Linz is a vibrant city of contrasts that surprises in every respect. On the one hand, there are the historic streets of the old town, the unexpectedly spacious and wide main square and, in contrast, the many landmarks of modern culture and architecture. For example, the Lentos Art Museum directly on the Danube, an impressive home to contemporary art. And right on the opposite bank is the Ars Electronica Centre, probably one of the most unusual museums in the world. It looks not to the past, but to the future and addresses the question of how new technologies are changing our society.
At this point, it is worth taking a detour to the north. The Mühlviertel, a granite highland that has been polished over millions of years, is hilly and full of views. A hidden gem of Gothic sculpture is the Kefermarkt winged altar, whose figures turn towards the viewer in an incredibly lifelike and vivid way. And a few kilometres further north lie the completely preserved medieval walls of the brewing town of Freistadt. The town is not only famous for its typical Mühlviertel beers. The legal form of the local brewery is also unique. This is because the shares of the"brewing community", calculated in "buckets", have been linked to the ownership of houses in the historic centre of Freistadt since time immemorial.
Time to head south again, across the Danube and past Enns, Austria's oldest town with its striking town tower, to Steyr. This town lies on the Enns and Steyr rivers, which unite against the backdrop of one of Austria's most magnificent old towns. In ancient times, boatmen used to transport iron from the Styrian Erzberg on these rivers. And with it prosperity and wealth. The town's town houses reflect all architectural styles from Gothic to Baroque to Rococo. And the Wehrgraben neighbourhood is home to historical monuments of industrial history.
Above all, however, Steyr is the gateway to the Kalkalpen National Park. Austria's largest forest national park is a refuge for rare plants and animals. Here, the lynx sneaks through mountain forests of ancient beech trees, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Those travelling further south through the wild and romantic Enns Valley, into the increasingly mighty mountains, should make a sporty detour onto the Hintergebirgsradweg cycle path near Reichraming. Its wide route, which repeatedly leads through tunnels carved into the rock, is reminiscent of the time when timber was felled here and transported out of the valley head by a forest railway.
A wonderful route through the mountain landscape on the edge of the national parks is the journey over the Hengstpass into the Pyhrn-Priel holiday region. Here, the northern Limestone Alps rise to heights of over 2,000 metres. On the Wurbauerkogel in Windischgarsten stands the National Park Panorama Tower, a glass viewing post for all those who like to gaze into the distance and count the peaks on the horizon. Beyond all the tranquillity, however, the Wurbauerkogel is a real adventure mountain, with a challenging bike park and the fast-paced"Alpine Coaster".
A detour into the Stodertal valley is also worthwhile here. A few years ago, the Schiederweiher pond in Hinterstoder was voted the most beautiful place in the country by the Austrians. When the jagged peaks of the Totes Gebirge are reflected in its water, it creates one of the most marvellous photo motifs in the Alps.
Culture and tradition are cultivated in Upper Austria's monasteries. But behind monastery walls, people also know how to enjoy themselves. If you spot the towers of Schlierbach Abbey on your journey through the Krems Valley, you should consider taking a culinary break, as the Cistercian abbey runs a cheese dairy with a tasting centre. A delicious last stopover before continuing on to the Salzkammergut.
The Almtal is the first harbinger of the mountain and lake region, wooded and relaxing. Where the Almsee lake lies quietly at the head of the valley, people know about the healthy effects of the forest."Waldness" is the name given to the relaxing and beneficial sojourns among the trees, accompanied by professional coaches. Finally, Lake Traunsee, the deepest lake in Austria, is only a stone's throw away. Gmunden on its northern shore is the home of"Gmundner Keramik", fine tableware from Upper Austria. In the Salzkammergut, where the summer holiday was invented, nature does not skimp on superlatives. If you travel on to Lake Attersee, you will see the largest inland lake in the whole of Austria. The perfect backdrop to enjoy freshly caught fish. And an inspiration where Gustav Klimt and Gustav Mahler soared to the absolute heights of their art during their summer holidays.
Big names that you can't miss on your way through the Salzkammergut. A road popular with Salzkammergut connoisseurs winds through the Weißenbachtal valley alongside the stream of the same name from Lake Attersee across to the Traun valley and Bad Ischl. The town, which will be the European Capital of Culture in 2024 together with the surrounding Salzkammergut region, is much more than just the emperor's former summer retreat. Yes, the imperial villa and the Zaunerstollen of the former k.u.k. Court Confectionery Zauner are of course a must-see. Then there is the Katrin, Bad Ischl's local mountain with a cable car and breathtaking views of the majestic Dachstein. And anyone who has ever undertaken a hike to the Rettenbachalm will never forget the delicacies served there.
Speaking of the Dachstein. The highest mountain in Upper Austria is located in the southernmost tip of the province. The cable car takes you up to the"5fingers", a spectacular viewing platform with a view hundreds of metres down to Lake Hallstatt with Hallstatt, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that gave its name to an entire era in human history. The Hallstatt Salt Worlds provide an insight into the oldest salt mine in the world. The Dachstein itself is criss-crossed by branching cave systems, which are explored one by one. The hike through the giant ice cave with its dazzling frost sculptures formed by nature is impressive.
Other names of great lakes accompany the route through the Salzkammergut. Lake Wolfgangsee offers unique opportunities to set up your mobile home right by the turquoise-green water. And take the cog railway at full steam up to the Schafberg - panoramic views of the lakes of the Salzkammergut included. Lake Mondsee is the ideal place for anyone who wants to splash around or indulge in water sports. It is the warmest bathing lake in the region. The perfect place to round off your tour of Upper Austria and linger a while longer. Because the moment is so beautiful.
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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.
The data may only be used for private use; any commercial use is prohibited. In particular, it is not permissible to offer the data on commercially run websites, file-sharing platforms etc. or to use it to develop commercial products. Downloading data does not imply that users are granted rights to the data concerned.
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.
5.We assume no liability for the contents of external websites; in particular, we assume no liability for their statements and contents. Moreover, we have no influence on the design or contents of the websites to which hyperlinks on www.badischl.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.badischl.at. There is no on-going review of websites to which hyperlinks on www.badischl.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.badischl.at. We do not appropriate the contents of websites to which hyperlinks on www.badischl.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.badischl.at.
Vis-à-vis bloggers
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1. Each of your tour recommendations for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc., along with other details and information, is free of charge. In particular regarding the correctness of the information, we assume no liability, nor do we assume any liability whatsoever for the consequences of the use of your tour recommendation by a third party (in particular by a user of this website). We do not review the tour recommendations you post, including other details and information, at any time.
We have no intention of concluding a contract with persons who post tour recommendations and/or other details and information on this website. Posting data (information) does not imply that a contract has been concluded.
By recommending a tour, we assume special responsibility vis-à-vis other athletes. Please take this responsibility seriously and describe your tour recommendation with utmost care and to the best of your knowledge and belief.
2.Your tour recommendations must therefore clearly and unambiguously include at least the following criteria and provide a sufficiently detailed description:
• Starting point
• Detailed route description
• Distance/Overall distance
• Level of difficulty
• Dangerous spots
• Average duration of trip
• Change in altitude
• Finishing point.
If possible, please provide the change in altitude.
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