Esternberg: Danube, Hiking Trails and Culture

Esternberg lies on the Danube and is shaped by stream valleys, forests, hills, meadows and fields. Nine trails are described for hikes through the municipality. There are also individual routes and viewpoints with different highlights: stream landscapes and plant life, forest knowledge or views of the Danube. Churches and Krempelstein Castle add historic buildings to the picture.

Hiking between forest and stream

Stage 1_S01 of the Danube Trail from Passau to Kasten crosses the Sauwald Forest into the Danube Valley and ends in Esternberg. A detour from the stage leads to the “Burg Krämpelstein” panoramic viewpoint, with views into the Danube Valley. The viewpoint is therefore a separate detour from the described stage.

The Kößlbach loop has a different focus: it leads through the Riedlbach Valley to the Riedlbach’s confluence with the Kößlbach at “Wanklmoar Sag” and returns via Ringlholz. Rare plant life and natural beauty line the route; the loop is particularly interesting for botanists and nature lovers. The valleys, confluence and return route give the trail its specific course.

The forest is the focus at the Esternberg Forest School. It includes a forest walk of about 3 km near the village of Vollmannsdorf in Reisdorf. Numerous signs provide information about the forest and its inhabitants. In 2017, the Forest School was expanded at the initiative of the municipality: the signs identifying tree species were renewed, and additional attractions and learning stations were added. The walk thus combines an approximate trail length with information about the forest and tree species.

Danube views and orientation

The Sauwald Panoramic Road has 15 viewpoints overlooking the Danube, which is flanked here by natural forested slopes. The focus at these viewpoints is therefore on the landscape, with views of the river and wooded slopes.

The Esternberg–Obernzell Danube ferry lets you cross from Austria via the B130 to the opposite bank at Obernzell. If you plan to take the ferry, check the timetable in advance. The Esternberg panoramic viewpoint rest area is located between Kasten and Vichtenstein on Vichtenstein Road.

Churches and buildings in Esternberg

Esternberg parish church was originally a wooden structure. Under Bishop Altmann of Passau (1065–1091), it was replaced by a stone building in the Romanesque style. The lower section of the tower is all that remains of the Romanesque building.

Pyrawang branch church belongs to Esternberg parish and is located in the upper Danube Valley on Danube Valley Road. The church preserves remnants of High Gothic wall paintings from the 14th century. This makes it one of the few ecclesiastical monuments in Upper Austria with surviving wall paintings from this period. As a Church of St. Peter, it also points to an early construction date.

Krempelstein Castle is a rock castle on a rocky outcrop high above the right bank of the Danube. It is located in the Pyrawang district of the municipality of Esternberg in Upper Austria. The heritage listing dated June 23, 2026, records the wayside chapel in Kiesdorf as protected by ordinance; for Krempelstein Castle, it states that protection was granted by official decision.

Discover more destinations: Sankt Roman, Freinberg, Riedau, Wesenufer, Gumping, Suben, Münzkirchen, Altschwendt.

For the regional travel overview: Schärding.