Itinerary
- Day 1
Grein
After arriving in Grein, you'll collect your tour documents at the hotel and spend the day getting to know this medieval town. The area has Austria's oldest secular stage theater and sits in the Strudengau region, which has been important to Danube boatmen for centuries. Head to Greinburg Castle to check out the shipping museum and learn about the river's history in this region.
Optional Activities
- Stroll through medieval town of Grein
- Visit historic town theater - oldest secular stage in Austria
- Visit shipping museum in Greinburg Castle
Landmarks Greinburg Castle Town Theater of Grein Strudengau 
- Day 2
Grein to Sarmingstein
This hiking day covers about 16 km through the Strudengau region over roughly 6 hours. You'll start at Gießenbachmühle mill with views toward Werfenstein Castle, then walk through the wild Stillensteinklamm gorge alongside the Gießenbach stream. The route takes you through forests to St. Nikola church before reaching Sarmingstein and Säbnich Castle. Expect 567m of climbing and 623m of descent along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hiking tour from Grein to Sarmingstein (approximately 16 km, 6 hours walking time)
Optional Activities
- Stop at Gießenbachmühle mill for local delicacies snack
- Visit St. Nikola church
Landmarks Gießenbachmühle Mill Werfenstein Castle Stillensteinklamm Gorge St. Nikola Church Säbnich Castle - Day 3
Sarmingstein to Gasthof Aumühle
Today's hike is about 18 km and takes roughly 7 hours, with the steepest climbing of the trip. You'll ascend the Danube flanks to Predigtstuhl, which is the easternmost Donausteig summit with rocky outcrops above the river. After leaving the Danube, you'll trek through the Aist-Naarn-Kuppenland region and follow the Sarmingbach valley to Waldhausen. Stop at the early baroque collegiate church there, then continue through hilly terrain with Danube valley and Alpine views before reaching Gasthof Aumühle. The day involves 749m ascent and 505m descent.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hiking tour from Sarmingstein to Gasthof Aumühle (approximately 18 km, 7 hours walking time)
Optional Activities
- Visit Waldhausen collegiate church
Landmarks Predigtstuhl Waldhausen Collegiate Church Dobmühle Mill - Day 4
Gasthof Aumühle to Grein
This 16 km hike takes around 5 hours and starts with a Wetzelstein mountain climb on the Donausteig. From there, you'll follow the winding Gießenbach stream through forest and meadow paths with views toward the Alps. The route takes you through the Kasműllerbach valley toward Bad Kreuzen spa town, which has Austria's largest Kneipp garden. Before heading back to Grein, you'll see Kreuzen Castle (one of Upper Austria's largest fortifications) and descend through the Wolfsschlucht gorge along a nature and culture trail. You'll gain 379m and lose 561m in elevation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hiking tour from Gasthof Aumühle to Grein (approximately 16 km, 5 hours walking time)
Optional Activities
- Visit Austria's largest Kneipp garden in Bad Kreuzen
- Visit Kreuzen Castle
Landmarks Wetzelstein Mountain Bad Kreuzen Kneipp Garden Kreuzen Castle Wolfsschlucht Gorge - Day 5
Grein
Today is your departure day with some flexibility built in. If you want more hiking, there's an optional ascent from Grein to Gobelwarte, one of the seven Donausteig peaks. You can also arrange extra nights in the Strudengau area if you'd like, or simply head out at whatever time works for you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Ascent to Gobelwarte (one of seven Donausteig peaks)
Landmarks Gobelwarte
