In the middle of the city and yet surrounded by green nature – in the wooded outskirts of Linz you can quickly find peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In the coming weeks in particular it is worth exploring the diverse hiking trails adorned with the splendor of autumn colors. There is a lot to discover – here are a few tips.
LINZ. Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy the free Visit-Linz-App not only secure an exciting companion for their exploration tours, but also collect numerous rewards for their hiking achievements throughout the city. The app offers fixed stations along Linz’s city hiking trails, where questions and tasks ensure entertaining breaks.
Roman and panoramic view at Freinberg
Linz’s city history stretches back to Roman times and is particularly well documented at the castle above the Danube. From the main square, you can reach the castle museum in just a few minutes via Hofgasse. From there, you can walk through the courtyards to St. Martin’s Church, one of the oldest churches in Austria, and then to the park with the Franz Josef Lookout on the Freinberg. Climbing 137 steps offers an impressive panoramic view of the city, the Pöstlingberg, the Danube and the Alpine foothills.
Further along the route, the Buddhist stupa and the former Jesuit monastery, which now houses the Aloisianum Gymnasium, are noteworthy. A detour via Freinbergstrasse and Roseggerstrasse leads to the Botanical Garden, which displays over 10,000 plant species and a particularly impressive cactus collection on 4.2 hectares.
Starting point: Main Square Linz
Long: 8 Kilometer
Walking time: about 2.5 hours
Wasserwald recreation area
The Wasserwald is a large recreational and water conservation area in the Kleinmünchen district of Linz. To get there, cross the intersection diagonally from the Neue Welt tram stop and follow the signs for the city hiking trail until you reach the popular park.
The spacious green areas, which are used both as leisure and recreational areas, also offer children’s playgrounds to linger in. Gravel and meadow paths lead through varied, sunny and shady areas of the water protection area. If you are out and about with your dog, you should pay attention to the designated off-leash zones.
Starting point: Neue Welt stop, lines 1 and 2
Long: 5 Kilometer
Walking time: about 1.5 hours
Into the green at Bachlberg
The hiking trail takes you from the main square over the bridge and the main road out of the city. Follow the signs to Dießenleitenweg, where you hike uphill along a quiet road lined with large trees and a babbling brook. As soon as you reach the forest, a true paradise for flora and fauna awaits you. The climb is soon over – the view is impressive.
From the forest path you will reach a short climb on the left to Bachlbergweg (house no. 63-65). Walk downhill along the road and turn right at house no. 51/53 down the stairs to Gasthaus Lehner. Continuing along Harbacher Straße you will reach Leonfeldner Straße, from where you can take public transport back to the city center at the “Harbach” stop.
Starting point: Main Square Linz
Long: 7,5 Kilometer
Walking time: about 2.5 hours
Pöstlingberg – the classic
The Pöstlingberg is a popular tourist destination in Linz and has been accessible since 1898 with the Pöstlingbergbahn, one of the steepest adhesion railways in Europe. The summit of the mountain, at a height of 539 meters, can also be reached by a challenging hike. The route there initially leads along the Danube through quiet residential areas, past the modern Anton Bruckner Private University and the Linz Zoo. Once at the top, the panoramic plateau offers a breathtaking view of the city and the Alpine foothills.
The “Pöstlingberg Adventure World” also includes the grotto railway, which enchants visitors in a brightly lit world of dwarves and fairy tales. In the basement there is a detailed replica of Linz’s main square around 1900. At the summit stands the striking pilgrimage basilica “Seven Sorrows of Mary”. From the highest point, a steep Stations of the Cross lead down to the Collegium Petrinum Episcopal Gymnasium, from where you can quickly get back to Linz city center.
Starting point: Main Square Linz
Long: 8 Kilometer
Walking time: 2.5 hours
Tower hike to Leonding
The Maximilian Fortifications were a 19th-century tower complex around the city center of Linz. Today, only parts of the eastern tower line in Leonding remain, while most of the towers have disappeared.
To explore the preserved parts, you can take bus number 26 to the starting point at the “St. Margarethen” stop or walk from Linz’s main square along the towpath to St. Margarethen. From there, Zaubertalstrasse leads to the Kalvarienberg Church and then to the 14er Tower. The well-preserved 13er Tower offers a beautiful panoramic view from Frieseneggerstrasse. Continuing along Lugwiesstrasse, you reach the 12er Tower. Follow Aichbergstrasse to Leondinger Strasse, where the “Turmmuseum” bus stop is located. From there, take Daffingerstrasse uphill to the 10er Tower and finally to the 9er Tower, which houses the Leonding City Museum, where you can find more information about the fortifications.
Starting point: Stop “St. Margarethen”
Long: 7 Kilometer
Walking time: 2.5 hours
Climb the summit of Pfenningberg
Start your walk over the Nibelungen Bridge in Linz and take bus number 33 from the “Biegung” stop on the corner of Reindlstrasse and Hauptstrasse to the “Plesching” stop. Walk along Pleschinger Landesstrasse (B3) and then turn left onto path number 50 to Pfenningberg. The path, which is signposted by the OEAV, takes you up the western slope of Pfenningberg, where you can enjoy views of Linz. Follow the path to the fork in the road where you have to turn left (“To the summit”). Cross the barrier and follow the forest road to the summit, where you will find the summit cross and granite blocks.
After visiting the summit, descend on trail number 52, which takes you through the Finstergraben. The trail contains some steep sections, but offers beautiful views. Continue on the Daxleitnerweg, which takes you to the town of Steyregg, where you can see the town square and the old Steyregg Castle. To return to Linz, we recommend taking the Summerauerbahn. Walk across the town square to Steyregg train station, from where you can easily travel back to Linz.
Starting point: Stop “Plesching”
Long: 8 Kilometer
Walking time: 2.5 hours
On the trail of the horse-drawn railway
Start your walk at the tram stop, cross Leonfeldner Strasse and turn left into “Am Alten Feldweg”, which leads to Harbachpark. Follow the ascending forest path to Pachmayrstrasse and then Kühreiterweg to the Exenschläger inn. After the inn, you pass the game reserve and begin a steep descent through the forest, past waterfalls. You can optionally continue your hike to the Giselawarte on Lichtenberg. The city hiking trail takes you past allotments and through quiet residential areas to Leonfeldner Strasse. From there, you can return to the city center from “Winklerbrücke” by bus number 38.
Starting point: Stop “Harbachsiedlung”
Long: 9 Kilometer
Walking time: 3.5 hours
Ebelsberg – Weikerlsee – Traunauen
Start your tour in the Ebelsberg parish church, whose chancel is designed in Art Nouveau style. Follow the Panholzerweg to the end of the village sign, turn left and walk along the Traunuferdamm to the Traun-Danube confluence. At river kilometer 0, take the Wiesenweg to the right and walk around the large Weikerlsee in the nature reserve, where swimming is prohibited.
In summer, you can refresh yourself in the small Weikerlsee nearby. If you want to end the tour here, you can reach the Solar City (tram number 2) via a gravel path that branches off to the left before the wooden bridge with a pavilion. Alternatively, you can continue walking along the flood protection dam to get to the banks of the Traun and back to Ebelsberg.
Starting point: Stop “Ebelsberg”
Long: 10 Kilometer
Walking time: 3 hours
On the Danube bank to Pleschingersee
Before the Nibelungen Bridge, walk right over the pedestrian bridge towards Donaupark. Visit the Lentos Art Museum with its impressive glass facade and the striking “picture frame” that offers views of the Pöstlingberg and the Ars Electronica Center. Continue past the Brucknerhaus, then over the VÖEST Bridge and along the Nature Friends Trail to Pleschingersee, a popular bathing resort.
Follow the signposted path through the Pleschinger Au to the banks of the Danube, enjoy the view of the harbor and the graffiti gallery “Mural Harbor”. The path leads to the Urfahr fairground and the Urfahr parish church, which are reminders of previous floods. In summer, it is worth taking a detour to Alturfahr, where you can enjoy the Danube beach and local cuisine. From there you can return to the main square over the bridge or take bus number 33 from Pleschingersee.
Starting point: Main Square Linz
Long: 12 Kilometer
Walking time: 3.5 hours
