Straß: Landscape, Trails and History

Get to know Straß through its local history and landscape at different scales: from the stream with short natural sections to the floodplains, riverside forests and the Machland plain. The circular routes described here also each have a different focus. If you are looking for a hotel in Straß, these topics can help you plan your trip around your historical interests or connection to the landscape.

Local History and Landscape

The name Straß refers to a place on the old road. Straß is first mentioned between 1075 and 1209 in a charter of St. Nicholas Monastery near Passau. A plague cemetery is said to be located in the Friedhofsgraben.

Near Straß, the Aist-Mühlbach has short natural sections of flowing water, with narrow strips of riverside trees including alder, ash and willow. On a broader landscape scale, the meadow slope between Straß and Naarn is also notable: it lies in the transition zone between floodplain and arable land. The terrace slope draws the eye and offers glimpses of the interplay between natural and cultivated landscapes.

A 2002 land survey describes a terrace slope 3 to 5 metres high between the commercial area north of Straß and the Bach farm near Naarn im Machland. Vegetation and access may have changed since then; check access before visiting.

Circular Routes along the Danube and through the Machland

At the hamlet of Straß, the R1.13 Alpenblick circular route leaves the Danube through the riverside forests, then crosses the broad Machland plain on rural side roads. Near Straß, the R1.12 Weltstein circular route returns to the Danube through riverside floodplains; its route also includes the section along the river embankment via the legendary towpath. The R1.13 focuses on the transition from riverside forest to open plain, while the R1.12 features the riverside floodplains and the embankment with its towpath. The R1.13 leads from the Danube into the Machland plain; the R1.12 reaches the river again near Straß.

Another section of the Danube Cycle Path R1 is precisely located: On the north bank in the municipality of Au an der Donau–Naarn, it runs from the Hayraulik Wurm area to just before the entrance to the Straß Danube embankment. This section therefore ends before the entrance. By contrast, the routes of the R1.13 and R1.12 are described in relation to their respective paths at or near Straß.

Practical Travel Information

For the floodplain area southwest of the Aist-Mühlbach, from the village of Straß to Tabor, a municipal notice dated October 11, 2023, specifies that dogs must be kept on a leash outside the village. If you are travelling with a dog, check the local regulation before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Naarn im Machlande, Windhaag bei Perg, Perg, Münzbach, Langenstein, Grein an der Donau, Rechberg, Henndorf

Back to the main travel overview: Perg.