Eferding reveals itself through trails that open up different stories and perspectives. Two routes each have a distinct focus: the Eferdinger G’schichtnweg combines historical and fantastical content, while the Jubiläumsweg takes you on a circular walk through the city’s historic setting. Other highlights include the Late Gothic parish church, Starhemberg Castle, and the district’s landscapes and cider culture.
Explore Eferding’s stories on foot
The Eferdinger G’schichtnweg leads through and around Eferding. Its twelve stops combine historical and fantastical content. If you would like to learn more about this mix, you can book guided tours through Stadtmarketing Eferding at +43 664 22 36 878. The Eferdinger Jubiläumsweg has a different focus: its circular walk includes eight stops in Eferding’s historic setting and starts at the old tree in the town square.
The two trails differ in both their storytelling and their layout: the G’schichtnweg focuses on its twelve stops and their historical and fantastical themes. The Jubiläumsweg is explicitly described as a circular walk, with a named starting point at the old tree in the town square. You can choose whether you would rather explore a range of stories or take a circular walk with a historical focus.
Architectural history and cityscape
The parish church of St. Hippolyt in Eferding is one of the most significant Late Gothic hall churches with staggered naves in Upper Austria. Its present form was completed in 1505, when the double spiral staircase to the choir was built. This provides a precisely dated architectural feature that helps trace the church’s building history.
Starhemberg Castle offers another glimpse into Eferding’s history: its north wing was once a castle belonging to the Bishops of Passau. Today, the castle houses the Princely Starhemberg Family Museum and the Museum of the City of Eferding. The north wing’s former function and the castle’s current use represent different chapters in its history.
Landscape, fruit and cider
The Obst-Hügel-Land Nature Park is a 26 km² protected landscape in the Eferding district. In Scharten and St. Marienkirchen an der Polsenz, traditional orchards and rows of fruit trees shape the landscape of the nature park. The Obst-Hügel-Land Cycle Trail is particularly well suited to e-bikes—a useful point of reference when choosing a cycle route to match your preferred mode of transport.
The Cider Museum also offers an insight into fruit processing, with historical fruit mills, presses, barrels and tools used in cooperage. It is housed in preserved rooms in a former parish granary dating back around 300 years. At the end of the tour, the museum invites you to sample Samareiner cider. Guided tours with cider tastings are also available by arrangement through the nature park office in the educational orchard.
More trails and experiences
The Weg der Vielfalt features interactive stations and information boards about nature, culture, history and inclusion. It is intended for walkers and cyclists, and its themes range from nature to historical and social topics. The idea for the trail took shape in 2016: the plan was to connect the Danube Cycle Path with Hartheim Castle and Institute, while also incorporating the Danube floodplains, topics that are important to Alkoven, and inclusion.
Another route with a clearly defined course is the Donausteig Stage 2_G01 Aschach–Eferding. It leads from Aschach an der Donau through the Eferding Basin and ends in Eferding. The Eferding Erlebnisbad offers another option, depending on the weather: it is open in fine weather. Alongside themed circular walks, you can therefore choose a route through the basin or a weather-dependent swimming option.
Discover more destinations: Haibach ob der Donau, Alkoven, Sankt Marienkirchen an der Polsenz, Eferding, Aschach an der Donau, Prambachkirchen, Hinzenbach, Hartkirchen, Fraham, Pupping, Scharten, Stroheim.
For the overview of the wider region: Upper Austria.
