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AUSTRIA

Walking in Austria

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AUSTRIA - The “Castles and Palaces” Trail 

Castles, Castles & Castles - Explore the aristocracy

This country is full of castles and palaces. Once the centre of knightly and aristocratic high culture, they still illustrate today how well-fortified this country is.

Click to See: Tour Price - Departure Days - What's Included - Reserve this tour

ITINERARY:

Day 1 - Arrival in Freistadt

Check-In, Handing out of travel documents

Sightseeing tour through the historical town. Freistadt has a 4 km town wall which dates back to medieval times.

Day 2 - Freistadt – Gutau, (approx. 23 kms/14.3mi -  7.5 hours)

Hiking tour along the castles and palaces trail to Lasberg which is well known as the most beautiful village of Austria. The path will lead you to the ruin of Dornach. Along the river Feldaist to Kefermarkt (famous winged altarpiece). Then to Elz – Aumühle passing the palace of Tannbach. Your hike goes on to Gutau.

Day 3 - Gutau - St. Leonhard, (approx. 15 kms/9.3mi -  5.5 hours)

Over the “Wimmerhöhe” to Erdmannsdorf further to the “Nußbaumerbrückl” in the valley of “Stampfenbach” and up to the top of Herzogreith (811 m). There you will find the strange “Pechölsteine”. In the afternoon you can climb up the stairs of the “Susi-Wallner” observation tower (there you can have a great view over the beautiful landscape to the Alps). After a few minutes walk you arrive in St. Leonhard.

Day 4 - St. Leonhard - Oberndorf/Pierbach, (approx. 13 kms/8mi -  5 hours)

Today you make a tour around the “Predigtberg”. Then the “castles and palaces” trail proceeds through the beautiful valley of the stream “Waldaist” to the ruin of Prandegg (which was once the second largest castle of Upper Austria, enjoy the great view over the beautiful landscape). Further the hiking tour goes on to Oberndorf.

(Accommodation in Pierbach)

Day 5 - Oberndorf – Bad Kreuzen, (approx. 17 kms/10.5mi -  6 hours)

From Schönau the hiking tour leads you to the ruin Ruttenstein. Then you walk through Klaus to Pierbach. After the beautiful village you pass the “Augenbründl” and the mystic “Zigeunermauer”. The path will bring you to St. Thomas. Famous for this village are the “Buckl’Weh’Luckn” (try out is recommended for “small” hikers) the “Luft’gselchte Pfarrer” (mummy of a canon). Transfer (if accommodation is in Schönau) from St. Thomas to Bad Kreuzen (traditional health spa, the famous composer Anton Bruckner went here on a cure)

(accommodation at Pierbach)

Day 6 -Bad Kreuzen – Grein, (approx. 15 kms/9.3mi -  5 hours)

From the castle of Bad Kreuzen (great view over the Danube valley) you hike to the castle Klam (Taste the beer from the local castle brewery) and walk through the well known gorge to the village Saxen (famous museum and stork nest). The path proceeds through wide woods (marvellous view from the observation tower “Gobel-Warte”) to the nice Danubian town Grein. Possibility to visit the castle of Grein (shipping museum). Please make a visit to the famous theatre in Rococo style (oldest theatre of Austria, still performing)

Day 7 - Grein

Departure after breakfast or additional nights.

Overnight Itinerary :

Freistadt, Gutau,  St. Leonhard, Pierbach, Bad Kreuzen, Grein (2 Nights)

SELF-GUIDED INN TOUR

TOUR # AUW-25138 -  7 DAYS - $450

High season supplement May 10 to Oct 3 - $50

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