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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