R1.09 Eferding Land-Round

The Eferding Basin - once dominated by floodplain landscape crisscrossed by the meanders of numerous Danube arms, this large landscape basin was dangerous and arduous to cross. Today, a contrasting natural and cultural landscape delights with relaxed pleasure cycling at its best. A perfect start is the historic Danube market in Ottensheim. Located at the end of the Eferding Basin, this place has long been an important ferry crossing. The picturesque market square tells of a long tradition as a trading hub. A Danube highlight! From the ferry dock, you first cycle along charming riverside houses upstream and arrive in a loop at a forest-surrounded old Danube arm. This was deliberately preserved after the construction of the Ottensheim-Wilhering power plant and has since served as an international rowing regatta course. An idyllic bike path runs along the old Danube. Shortly after, you reach the (new) mighty Danube stream again. On the left is the impressive Ottensheim-Wilhering power plant. On the right, you ride proudly on the Danube embankment along the legendary Danube cycle path Treppelweg upstream.

The bike runs smoothly, a breeze refreshes, the tires hum... pure river cycling! Rustic riverside floodplain forests turn your gaze inward. They remind you of a time when even boatmen had difficulty passing through the extensive floodplain landscape. By the Feldkirchen bathing lakes, the riverside forests thin out. Soon after, you leave the mythical river. Now you pedal enjoyably on farm roads in a wide arc through a mosaic of fertile fields - past large four-sided farmsteads, artistic wayside shrines, and the charming market town of Feldkirchen - to the Danube bridge in Aschach. On clear days, the ride over the tall bridge surprises with an incredible view of the Alps. With the historic Danube market Aschach, you have reached the start of the Eferding Basin. Congratulations! Here, too, a ferry crossing has long been important. The picturesque town center impresses with its market square open towards the Danube (!) and richly decorated townhouses. Both tell of prosperity as a trade hub on the Danube bank. A true Danube gem!

After the diverse impressions, the easy ride downstream on the Treppelweg offers a relaxing break - feeling the flow and wandering thoughts. In Brandstatt, you leave the Danube channel and cycle on farm roads through lush vegetable fields into the plain. On the ridge above the plain watches the Schaunberg castle ruins, Upper Austria's largest castle complex! And in the rural village of Pupping, the small monastery complex reveals itself as the death place of St. Wolfgang! After Seebach, bike paths accompany a main road into the center of the Eferding Basin, the city of Eferding. It is the third oldest city in Austria and enchants with a magnificent city center: the magnificent city square with Starhemberg castle, the Eferding "cathedral"... A Danube highlight! Incidentally, the city is part of the famous medieval Nibelungenlied.

Afterwards, you meander on quiet farm roads enjoyably through rural cultural landscape: fertile fields, vegetable cultivation, large farms, direct sales, wayside shrines,... – pure Eferding Basin idyll! Shortly before Wilhering, you plunge one last time into a rustic riverside floodplain forest. Then, at the Wilhering ferry dock, you get a splendid view of Ottensheim castle along with its market. The crossing with the cable ferry, the first went into operation here in 1871, is the final highlight even for technically less interested countryside folk.