Donausteig Stage 4_G07 Sarmingstein - Waldhausen: "Summit assault - on the trail of the monks"
4040 Linz
Donausteig - simply amazing! Summit assault on the Predigtstuhl - one of the seven Donausteig summits. On this enjoyable stage, we hike from the magnificent Donau narrow valley over the Predigtstuhl and the Sarmingbach valley into the atmospheric hilly landscape of the Waldhausen basin. Along the way, we discover Sarmingstein as the end of the Strudengau, life with granite in the Gloxwald, Waldhausen Abbey as an end and a beginning, ...
Recommended season:
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Multi-stage route
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
- Cultural/historical value
- Geological highlights
- Botanical highlights
- Faunistic highlights
- Summit route
Seal of approval:
- Quality route according to "Österreichisches Wandergütesiegel"
Sarmingstein is the starting point for this enjoyable stage. The historic Danube village lies in the steep Donau narrow valley of the Strudengau at the mouth of the Sarmingbach into the Danube. The special features of the small, elongated village only reveal themselves with knowledge of its history and through hidden details - a village that wants to be discovered! The summit assault begins directly in Sarmingstein. First through the settlement area, then a magnificent hiking trail leads uphill through the wonderful hillside forests of the steep Danube valley slopes. Some overgrown wall remains puzzle us. At the saddle near the Bauerngruber farmstead, the forest opens briefly and lets us proudly look back at the gained height. Over a short section of farm road and cozy forest paths, we finally reach the rock ledge of the Predigtstuhl high above the Danube: Congratulations - we stand on the easternmost of the seven Donausteig summits! The impressive deep view into the Danube valley stretches back to the beginning of the Strudengau in Grein and up to Clam Castle - simply breathtaking. Here it is time to say goodbye to the Danube, as the Donausteig now leads us deep into the Aist-Naarn-Kuppenland. On the meadow at the saddle behind the Predigtstuhl, we still have a beautiful view of the Ötscher, the mighty Father Mountain. Then we hike comfortably over forest roads through the dense Gloxwald down into the Sarmingbach valley. Shortly thereafter, we follow the gentle meanders of the idyllic Sarmingbach uphill: the play of water, the splashing, mystical rock formations, ... invite us to observe and ponder! At the Dobmühle, we leave the Sarmingbach valley again and go uphill through fields. At the Hofbauer farmstead, the Waldhausen basin opens before us. The hilly landscape of the Aist-Naarn-Kuppenland presents itself here in its most beautiful splendor - a unique rural cultural landscape, whose complete harmony is unparalleled! The magnificent abbey church is the center of this divine landscape. Over small farm roads, field, and forest paths, we reach the Donausteig rest area "Berta-Ruhe" in the varied ups and downs. Located a little above Waldhausen, it offers a wonderful view over the market town of Waldhausen and the former Waldhausen abbey. After a short descent, we stand in the charming village of Waldhausen. A hike for connoisseurs - simply amazing!
Now the question arises: "Why on the trail of the monks?" - You can find out in the Donausteig diary!
Discover the following special features with the Donausteig diary:
- Sarmingstein - the end of the Strudengau
- Sarmingstein Castle - bulwark in the east
- Säbnich Castle - cradle of Waldhausen Abbey
- Donausteig starting point "St. Nikola/Sarmingstein"
- A mining site?
- A cable car station?
- Predigtstuhl - one of the seven Donausteig summits
- Gloxwald - life with granite
- ...
Download: Donausteig diary Stage 4_G07 Sarmingstein-Waldhausen
Directions:From the Donausteig starting point in Sarmingstein, we go left up the stairs (in front of the Strudengauhof inn) and continue straight ahead to the underpass of the Donau federal road. There, take the stairs up on the left and then immediately right again. After about 100 m parallel to the Donau federal road, we follow the settlement road steeply uphill to the left. At the next junction (three millstone fragments in the retaining wall), turn right. A few meters later we reach the main road Sarmingstein - Waldhausen. We follow this downhill until a hiking trail branches off to the left after about 250 m. A wonderful hiking path now takes us through the hillside forest up to the Bauerngruber farmstead. There we follow the paved access road uphill to the left. In the forest shortly before a hairpin turn, the Donausteig branches off to the left and leads via forest paths to a meadow at the edge of the forest. Here begins the short detour (approx. 100 m) to the Donausteig rest area "Predigtstuhl" on the summit of the Predigtstuhl. Returning from the summit detour, we cross the meadow and follow the paved farm road to the left, first briefly uphill and then downhill for a long time. In the following forest, the asphalt road turns into a forest road. At a T-junction we reach the asphalt road to Gloxwald. Here turn left downhill. Afterwards, we follow the main road Sarmingstein-Waldhausen uphill and branch off to the left over the Samingbach after about 400 m before a right curve. We follow the course of the stream to the Dobmühle (T-junction). Here turn left. A paved farm road takes us through open cultural landscape past the farmsteads Tradtner and Hofbauer. We cross the intersection with wayside shrine and bench (view of the Waldhausen abbey church) straight ahead. At the next intersection we take the right street. At the large farm on the left side we follow the field path to the edge of the forest on the right (waycross, Galgenberg). After crossing the forest downhill, we reach the Donausteig rest area "Berta Ruhe". From here, the path takes us directly to the Donausteig starting point in Waldhausen.
To help you with orientation, the Donausteig has been equipped with its own orientation system - the description can be found here .
Tip:Discovery trips with a gourmet stop! This route passes directly by the following culinary partner:
Equipment:
In addition to personal hiking equipment, there are no special requirements.Additional information:
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
Tourism Association St. Nikola
4381 St. Nikola/Donau
Tel.: +43(0)7268/8155 (municipal office)
Tel.: +43(0)69913030422
tourismus@struden.at
www.oberoesterreich.at/st.nikola.donau
Tourism Association Waldhausen
Markt 14
4391 Waldhausen
Tel.: +43(0)7260/4505
Fax: +43(0)7260/4505-8
tourismus@waldhausen.ooe.gv.at
www.waldhausen.at
Paths covering:
further information:
- Multi-day tour
- Board possible
Since November 2020, Biohof Auger has been a 24/7 self-service shop. Here you have the opportunity to purchase selected organic products from Biohof Auger and the surrounding region 7 days a week.
Sales with service are every Friday from 13:00 to 18:00 or by telephone consultation
The range consists of the farm's own beekeeping products, spelt products, eggs, pasta, vegetables, wood-fired bread, chocolates, juices, liqueurs and meat specialities from Scottish Highland cattle.
The range is complemented by cheese and dairy products (cow and goat), high-quality edible oils (nut, poppy, linseed, rapeseed, sunflower and pumpkin seed oil), wine and beer specialities and various fruit juices. The range of fresh organic food is based on seasonal availability.
The Hermine and Richard Lehner-Ölweiner family are looking forward to many pleasant encounters.
When you enter the Gasthof Schauer in Waldhausen im Strudengau, you immediately sense the special atmosphere: the smell of freshly baked Stanitzerln, the clatter of pots and pans from the kitchen and the laughter of Christoph Schauer and Magdalena Buchinger echoes through the house. "It's a real hockn, but we love what we do," says Christoph, as he talks about the painstaking manual labour that goes into every dish. The inn has been part of the family since 1892 and today stands for living tradition, which is constantly being reinterpreted through cross-generational values and fresh ideas. Here, guests will not only find regional specialities, but also a warm atmosphere and stories that resonate in every detail of the house.
The inn's cuisine stands for honest craftsmanship, sustainable management and attention to detail. Specialities such as Kardinalschnitte, Stanitzerl or the homemade dumplings are created with dedication and routine. Christoph talks enthusiastically about the home-made grammels that give the dumplings their special flavour - work that you can taste. Christoph and Magdalena make sure that all ingredients come from the region. Meat and fish are sourced from neighbouring farms, and Christoph often collects mushrooms himself in the surrounding forests. This closeness to nature is not only part of their cuisine, but also their philosophy.
The hotel's historic ice cellar invites you to discover the eventful history of the inn. Originally used to cool meat, it now houses pictures of the last time ice was cut and tools that guests can marvel at on guided tours. It tells of a time when sustainability was not just a buzzword, but a necessity - knowledge that Christoph and Magdalena are also applying to the present in order to make the inn a business for the future. After a devastating flood in 2023, the hotel was partially renovated and modernised, always with a focus on sustainable solutions and regional value creation. Gasthof Schauer shows how quality and hospitality can be further developed in an environmentally friendly way in a traditional business.
For hikers on the Donausteig or cyclists on the Drei-Sattel-Runde, the inn is a cosy place to stop for refreshments. After a sporty tour, coffee and a homemade pastry such as the Stanitzerl invite you to put your feet up and enjoy the warmth of Christoph and Magdalena.
The following tours also lead directly past Gasthof Schauer:
A description of the route can be found in the Mühlviertel Climbing Guide.
The book has grown to 205 pages!
570 routes from 2 to 10-; 190 boulders from Fb2 to Fb 8a+;
New areas, new topos and photos of
- Steinwänd
- Wartberg
- Naarntal
- Sarmingstein climbing garden
- Sarmingstein bouldering
- Tiefenbach
- Monk
- Waxenberg
- Areas Etzlberger
- Areas Rodltal
- Zwettl/Rodl
- Aschach
- Dörnbach / Leonding
- Steyregg / Buchingerwand
- Bouldering Obermühl / Rohrbach
Indoor and outdoor climbing walls Own publishing, distribution & copyright:Robert Roithinger Heinz Sudra Rohrbachbergstraße 1 Passauerstr. 9
4300 St. Valentin 4190 Bad Leonfelden
robertroithinger@gmx.at or 0676 / 3718566
Selling price: 20,-
Information: Gemeindeamt
Tel.: +43 (0) 72 60 / 45 05-11
Wilde Tiere...
Es gibt einige interessante Säugetiere in der Gegend. So konnten die seltenen Fransen- und Mopsfledermäuse festgestellt werden. Gefährdet sind diese Tiere unter anderem durch den Mangel an passenden Schlafquartieren. Ein Besucher aus Südböhmen und dem Böhmerwald ist der Luchs, dessen Vorkommen durch Sichtbeobachtungen und Risse nachgewiesen werden konnte. Entlang von Waldaist und Naarn findet der Fischotter, wie auch an anderen naturnahen Gewässern des Mühl- und Waldviertels, einen geeigneten Lebensraum. Das Zusammentreffen dieser Tiere mit dem Menschen ist häufig konfliktbehaftet. Durch gezielte Aufklärungsarbeit kann dem entgegengewirkt werden und eine ungestörte Entwicklungsdynamik der Wildtiervorkommen ermöglicht werden. Tiere wie der Waschbär, Marderhund und Goldschakal sind bei uns nicht heimisch und oft problematisch, da sie das einheimische Ökosystem mangels natürlicher Feinde aus dem Gleichgewicht bringen können.
In Waldhausen hat es sich einst zugetragen, dass ein Wilderer, der eigentlich zum Tode verurteilt war, noch "Den Kopf in der Klemme" befreien konnte. Wie das geschah und was das alles mit einer grauenhaften Riesenschlange zu tun hat, erzählt die Donau-Sage.
Information: Gemeindeamt
Tel.: +43 (0) 72 60 / 45 05-11
Felsige Hänge mit naturnahen Wäldern…
Der bei Kletterern beliebte Predigtstuhl ist ein Beispiel für die naturraumprägenden geologischen Formen im Donautal. Besonnte Felsköpfe sind aufgrund ihrer Trockenheit und nächtlichen Kühlheit extreme Lebensräume, mit denen oft nur mehr Flechten und Moose zurechtkommen. Höhere Pflanzen haben hier nur mehr wenige Ansatzpunkte. Viele wärmeliebende Arten, wie die Karthäusernelke kommen auf den flachgründigen Böden vor. An den Hängen kommen naturnahe Buchen und Eichen-Hainbuchenwälder vor. Letztere zeigen die warm-trockenen Bedingungen dieses Lebensraumes an.
Am Haustein lebte einst "Der schwarze Mönch", der Unheil über jene brachte, die ihn erblickten. Was mit Bischof Bruno von Würzburg geschah, der diese Tatsache auf die leichte Schulter nahm, lesen Sie in der Donau-Sage.
Direction information: Departure
Info: Gemeindeamt Waldhausen
Tel.: +43 (0) 72 60 / 45 05
Arzt und Hausapotheke, Tel.: 4311
Zahnarzt, Tel.: 4848
Rotes Kreuz, Tel.: 4244, Notruf: 144
Polizei, Notruf: 133
Donausteigwirt, Tel.: 4227
Chronik
1147 Gründung des Stiftes Waldhausen durch Otto von Machland.
1432 Verwüstung des Stiftes und Marktes durch die Husitten.
1451 Ältestes noch erhaltenes Urbar des Stiftes Waldhausen.
1585 Propst Hermann stiftet ein Spital beim Kloster.
1792 Aufhebung des Stiftes Waldhausen.
1886 Umlegung der Sarmingstein-Landesstraße.
1933 Zusammenlegung der Markt- und Schloßschule.
1960 Errichtung einer neuen Hauptschulexpositur.
1968 Bau einer Umlaufschiliftanlage am Galgenberg.
1973 Errichtung des 3,5 ha großen Badesees Waldhausen.
1979 Neugestaltung der Ortsdurchfahrt.
1997 850jähriges Jubiläum der Stiftsgründung.
2000 Beginn der Renovierungsarbeiten beim Stiftsareal.
2002 Landesausstellung „Feste feiern, Feste erleben“.
Tipp
Blick auf die Ortschaften Markt und Schloßberg mit der gotischen Pfarrkirche im Vordergrund und der barocken Stiftskirche. Diese beiden Gotteshäuser sind mit dem sogenannten Klostersteig (Lindenallee) verbunden.
In Waldhausen gibt es "Die Lippenhöhle". Was es mit dem Namen dieses Ortes auf sich hat, erzählt die Donau-Sage.
Direction information: straight ahead
Direction information: Destination
Getting there
About 500 m downstream from the church in Sarmingstein. The Donausteig starting point "Sarmingstein" is located directly on the Donau federal road south next to the Strudengauhof inn. (GPS: A-4382 Sarmingstein No.13).
Public Transit
Sarmingstein can be reached by train and bus. A return transfer from Waldhausen to Sarmingstein is possible by bus. Information about the timetables can be found at http://www.ooevv.at .
Parking
Unlimited and free parking is available at the Donausteig starting point "Sarmingstein" parking lot.
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
Please get in touch for more information.
Lindengasse 9
4040 Linz
Phone +43 732 7277 - 800
mobile +43 699 13030422
Fax machine +43 732 7277 - 804
E-Mail tourismus@waldhausen.ooe.gv.at
Web www.donauregion.at
