Passau-Linz Hiking on the Benedict Pilgrim's Trail 2026
In our fast-paced times, it is good to slow down the pace and find more peace and quiet in nature. The hiking tour on the Benedict Pilgrimage Trail from Passau to Linz invites you to a touching pleasure tour with a change of perspective through one of the most important cultural and river landscapes in Europe. From the episcopal city of Passau to venerable monasteries such as Engelszell and Wilhering, the motto of the Danube region is "moving. touches" sometimes close to the river, sometimes through the hilly landscape to promising places of power that make you pause and animate you to enjoy the here and now.
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After your inquiry you will immediately receive an e-mail message. If not, we kindly ask you to call us (0043 (0)732 / 72 77 - 218).
- 7 nights in hotels, inns and guesthouses of the 4 and 3 star category
- Daily rich breakfast buffet
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel to Linz (1 piece of luggage per person, max. 23 kg)
- Return Trains from Linz to Passau
- Detailed information documents and route description
- Practical snack box as a gift (per room)
- Service telephone also on weekends
- Additional fees:
- Prices are inclusive of taxes and duties.
- Not included in the price: The city tax (approx. &euro 1.00 – 3.00 per person/night) is to be paid at the respective hotel.
Day 1 - Individual arrival in Passau
Individual arrival in Passau and check-in at the hotel. This picturesque border and trading town delights leisurely hikers with its magnificent cathedral, numerous monasteries, churches and historic residences – an atmospheric start to your hiking holiday.
Example of hotel: Hotel Passauer Wolf in PassauDay 2 - From Passau to Kasten/Vichtenstein Hiking stage approx. 25 km, ascent and descent approx. 800 hm, walking time approx. 8 hours
The stage starts in the venerable bishopric town of Passau, more precisely in the Paulinerkloster Mariahilf monastery, and follows the marked Donausteig Süd trail to Haibach, where you cross the border into Austria. The route continues up to the Maria im Walde chapel and the observation tower on Freinberg, before hiking along the Danube through hills and valleys to Vichtenstein with its impressive castle – a delight for nature and culture lovers on this hiking tour.
Example of hotel: Gasthof Pension Klaffenböck in KastenDay 3 - From Kasten/Vichtenstein to Engelhartszell Hiking stage approx. 14 km, ascent and descent approx. 600 hm, walking time approx. 5 hours
Your day's stage begins below the imposing Vichtenstein Castle and leads up to Haugstein, the highest point in the Sauwald forest – around 500 metres above the Danube. Through quiet forests and along leisurely hiking trails, the route descends to Stadl and continues to the Danube at Engelhartszell, where the baroque Engelszell Abbey invites you to take a delightful break – a highlight of any hiking trip in Upper Austria.
Example of hotel: Hotel Zum Goldenen Schiff in EngelhartszellDay 4 - From Engelhartszell to Schlögen Hiking stage approx. 24 km, ascent and descent approx. 800 m each, walking time approx. 7.5 hours
From the Danube, the trail leads uphill to St. Aegidi and on to the idyllic Kleines Kößlbachtal nature reserve. Via Wesenufer, you hike leisurely to Waldkirchen am Wesen, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the famous Danube loop near Schlögen. A stage full of natural beauty and panoramic views – ideal for leisurely hikers on a hiking holiday along the Benediktweg trail.
Example of hotel: Hotel Donauschlinge in SchlögenDay 5 - From Schlögen to Pupping/Eferding Hiking stage approx. 23 km, ascent and descent approx. 450 hm, walking time approx. 7 hours
This stage begins with a breathtaking view of the Schlögener Schlinge, one of Upper Austria's most famous natural wonders. You hike over gently rolling hills to Haibach ob der Donau and on to Hartkirchen, where the Aschach Valley opens up into the wide plain of the Eferding Basin – a scenic delight for anyone who appreciates peace and quiet and sweeping views while hiking.
Example of hotel: Hotel Pension Dieplinger in BrandstattDay 6 - From Pupping/Eferding to Wilhering/Ottensheim Hiking stage approx. 24 km, ascent and descent approx. 100 hm, walking time approx. 6 hours
From the Franciscan monastery in Pupping, the trail leads along the Aschach to the Danube and on to the charming town of Eferding, the heart of the fertile Danube basin. As you hike through lush vegetable fields, you will experience rural Austria at its most enjoyable, before the stage ends at the impressive Cistercian monastery in Wilhering – a cultural highlight of any hiking trip.
Example of hotel: Hotel Schwarzer Adler in OttensheimDay 7 - From Wilhering/Ottensheim to Linz Hiking stage approx. 17 km, ascent and descent approx. 700 hm, walking time approx. 6 hours
You will hike through the gentle Mühlviertel region with views of Wilhering Abbey and Ottensheim. Before you reach Linz, the Donausteig trail takes you over the famous Pöstlingberg, the city's landmark. From there, you can enjoy the view over the Danube before a leisurely descent into the centre of Upper Austria's capital – a fitting end to your hiking trip.
Example of hotel: Courtyard by Marriott in LinzDay 8 - Individual journey home or additional nights
Return to Passau from your pilgrimage holiday on the Benediktweg by train.
Hotel note:We make every effort to book the hotels mentioned by name. However, if one is not available, we will switch to an equivalent company.
Parking facilities:
In Passau, the car can be parked in a parking garage for the duration of the cycle tour.
Locked and covered car park: € 13 per day
Parking garage with E-connection: € 13 per day plus € 32 one-time charging fee
Fenced and uncovered garage courtyard: € 9 per day
(Parking garage or parking space must be reserved in advance with the bike tour booking, payable on site)
Note for people with reduced mobility:
The hiking tour is generally not suitable for people with limited mobility. However, individual customer requests are possible in individual cases (e.g. handicapped accessible rooms).
Passport and visa requirements:
A valid passport or ID card is required for hotel check-in.
Special entry requirements may apply to foreign citizens (outside the Schengen area). Each traveller is responsible for obtaining a visa in good time.
Terms and Conditions of Payment:
The deposit of 10% of the tour price is due at the latest 14 days after receipt of the booking confirmation. The balance must be paid 14 days before arrival.
Cancellation Policy:
According to our General Terms and Conditions, the customer may withdraw from the contract at any time in writing. In the event of cancellation or non-commencement of travel, the following cancellation fees will become payable:
20% of the tour price up to the 28th day before departure
30% of the tour price from 27th to 14th day before departure
50% of the tour price from the 13th to the 8th day before departure
70% of the tour price from 7th to 4th day before departure
90% of the tour price from the 3rd day before departure until the day of arrival
If the customer makes changes to the booking (date of travel, tour, duration, transfer of the booking to another person etc.) up to 28 days before departure, for reasons which are outside our control, we will charge a processing fee of € 50,- per booking. After this date, the cancellation policy will apply. Such changes to a booking may only be made in individual cases and if possible; the customer has no right to any changes.
Our detailed Terms and Conditions of Business can be viewed on our website at https://www.radurlaub.com/en/home.html; upon request, will also send them to you by e-mail.
In case of a booking your announced data will be only used from OÖ Touristik GmbH for the process of bookings and related transactions and will be passed on only in the context of the contractual relationship to third parties. (for example, tourist service providers, sights, passenger transport, processors). The detailled Privacy Notice you will find on www.radurlaub.com/en/privacynotice.html
Standard information
The combination of travel services offered to you is a package within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2015/2302.
This ensures that you will benefit from all EU rights applicable to packages. Company OÖ Touristik GmbH will be fully responsible for the proper performance of the package as a whole.
Additionally, as required by law, the company OÖ Touristik GmbH has protection in place to refund your payments and, where transport is included in the package, to ensure your repatriation in the event that it becomes insolvent.
More information on key rights under Directive (EU) 2015/2302 https://www.radurlaub.com/en/reisebedingungen.html.
Financial cover for customers
The tour operator OÖ Touristik GmbH, Freistädter Str. 119, 4041 Linz has completed a bankruptcy insurance with Österreichischen Hotel- und Tourismusbank Gesellschaft m.b.H., Parkring 12a, 1010 Wien. The liquidator is the TVA-Tourismusversicherungsagentur GmbH, Baumannstraße 9/8, A-1030 Vienna, Email: abwicklung@tourismusversicherung.at, 24-hour emergency number: +43 1 361907744.
Travelers have to contact the liquidator within 8 weeks if they are denied claims due to the insolvency of OÖ Touristik GmbH. Details on the business license of OÖ Touristik GmbH can be found on the website https://www.gisa.gv.at/abfrage under the GISA number 14930096.
Arrival: 25.04.2026 - 10.10.2026
daily
Arrival: 25.04.2026 - 10.10.2026
Saving tips
- child up to 6 years -100 % (additional bed)
- child 07-11 years -50 % (additional bed)
- child 12-14 years -25 % (additional bed)
- adult from 15 years -10 % (additional bed)
- child up to 6 years -100 % (additional bed)
- child 07-11 years -50 % (additional bed)
- child 12-14 years -25 % (additional bed)
- adult from 15 years -10 % (additional bed)
- -10 %
- child 00-08 years -100 %
- child 09-11 years -50 %
- child 12-14 years -25 %
- adult from 15 years -10 % (additional bed)
- -10 %