Donaufelsenläfe – Donaufelsengarten (Danube Rock Garden) near Gutenstein

We don't like it when you have to go that high. And we don't like crowded parking lots either. And so we just started somewhere else. A good decision in our opinion. A gentle long climb in a beautiful valley and easy route to begin with. In general, the "sights" of the round weaken a bit. The Antonius beech is no longer there, and hasn't been for over 60 years. The Teufelsloch is nothing special, hardly visible and not nearly on the route, only the crazy Rabenfelsen keeps what it promises. How can such a narrow rock rise so high into the sky? Crazy. But above all: the tour doesn't need any of that. It boasts super beautiful and really challenging paths. Deep forests, heaps of nameless rocks, plants, animals, wide views and again and again the remarkable band of the young Danube in the middle of its self-made landscape and infinitely high rock walls. The upper Danube valley is definitely worth a trip and excursions in any case.

A nice hike in every season. Mostly beaten tracks.

The premium hiking trail “Donaufelsengarten” leads to some impressive limestone cliffs above the Danube valley. The starting point of the hike is the hiking car park below the Kreuzfelsen. From here the path climbs steadily up to the Teufelsloch rock with a beautiful view over the Danube valley and the hills opposite. From the Teufelsloch hut the path is currently closed due to storm damage and is being rerouted. With a bit of imagination, the original path can still be walked, at least on weekends. Through a long forest you come to the highlight, the Rabenfels. You get almost to the highest point of the rock, but be careful, the rock then suddenly breaks off about 100m vertically towards the Danube valley. Very impressive. The way back leads through a long, narrow slope path and offers several beautiful views of the Rabenfels. The path continues via the Kreuzfels viewpoint back to the parking lot.

After an appointment, I spontaneously decided not to drive back into the hostile fog. The webcams confirm: Danube Valley sun. So I headed for the Danube Valley, found the first parking lot for hikers, checked the information board, gathered some outdoor clothes from the car, the rock garden tour sounds good - and it was in the end ☀️🍂

One of the most beautiful premium tours in the country. Those who want to can even find a small alpine challenge. More about this on my Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXyNyKcMN9W/?igsh=MXJjc212eHp1MmdhNQ==

This is a beautiful route👍🤩, which is also very well signposted.

In dry weather, sensible, sturdy footwear is sufficient, but in wet weather, surefootedness is required in many places.

2 parking spaces for hikers, 1 toilet. Everything is free. Drinking water either in the toilet or directly from the Danube via a water filter. There is no water on the hike itself. 2 barbecue areas, right at the beginning. There are enough benches for those who need one. The hike starts with the 2 climbs. Everything is easily doable. You are mostly in the forest on great smaller trails. The gravel highways are skipped. The way back is particularly exciting. You should be sure-footed there. Lots of viewpoints down into the Danube valley, but also 3 fallen trees in the middle of the path. Otherwise everything is as you would expect from a premium hiking trail, very well maintained. All in all a great, varied, somewhat shorter hike. And if you fancy a canoe trip, you will also be helped.