1
LEFT BANK
PASSAU TO SCHLÖGEN
// A WATER ELEVATOR AND THE GREEN LIZARD
Baroque town Schärding © Tourismusverband Schärding 18
The first question you need to answer is whether you like to start your first stage on the left or the right side of the Danube. No matter what choice you make: Before you start, you have a lot of time to visit Passau’s sights like the old town, the residence and St. Stephen’s cathedral (q.v. E1-S). As soon as you crossed the Ilz on the Luitpold-bridge, two fortresses, Ober – and Niederhaus, wave you goodbye from the Three River City. Oberhaus, which used to be the residence of the bishop of Passau, is now hosting a city museum and a medieval museum. Tip for culture lovers: Start your bike tour already at the baroque town Schärding with the marvellous baroque town centre Silberzeile. From there you may comfortably reach Passau and the Danube Cycle Path. Soon after you can already enjoy the view of the very impressive and sunny south hillsides of the nature reserve Donauleiten, home to cyclamen, the gorgeous Turk’s cap lily and the shimmering green lizard. Through the village Erlau, we continue the journey to Obernzell, where, in a bulky castle just next to the river,
you can visit a pottery museum. As you continue your journey, you are accompanied by the view of the enormous castle keep of the fortress Vichtenstein (12th century) on the other side of the river. On that side you can also see the Haugstein (895 m) looming out of the »Sauwald« (forest), as it is the highest exaltation of the area. The Nature Adventure Centre »Haus am Strom« was being shaped like »wave and pebble stone«, by the architects and is welcoming you amongst others with a special water elevator. Additionally, a variety of interesting and fun tours through the nature can make the flora and fauna of the area more approachable to you. Afterwards, if the sight of the monastery Engelszell on the other side of the river is making you curious, you can cross the Danube over the power station Jochenstein. On the north bank however you will soon reach Niederanna (Danube Bridge), where a local barge constructor is offering you a boat trip on the Danube. Now you are close to the ferry that will bring you to Schlögen.