Neustift: Bishop Firmian Path

The Danube view Penzenstein is the most popular destination of our guests in the municipality of Neustift im Mühlkreis. From this lookout rock, situated above the Danube, you have a magnificent view over the Danube valley and to the Danube power plant Jochenstein.

Directly at the Danube view Penzenstein is a small chapel. Every year, in the summer months, a pilgrimage to the Penzenstein Chapel is always organized on the thirteenth day of the month.  

We produce genuine HANDWORK for you,

We also endeavor to implement your personal motifs or ideas.

Whether as a picture, clock, home accessory, gift or much more,

or simply choose from the existing works of art in our store.

The Rannatal is a piece of old and unspoiled nature with unwooded screes where moss and lichen overgrew the stones. In this area different block forests can be found: Deciduous forests and spruce forests. Especially the spruces and blueberry bushes have their own appeal as they are light green during spring and become auburn in autumn.

Another nature phenomenon are the block trains that go steeply down from the valley slopes.
Moss and lichen have settled those rocky undergrounds. Due to the gold dust lichen (Chrysothrix chlorina), rocks look quite colourful with their lightening yellow.  One can speak about block trains as they are still in motion.

It is not a miracle that the natural jewel with its forests and rocks still appears as an important
refugium for endangered species, such as the green lizard. 

The nature reserve is also a habitat for less known animals and plants. Besides, it is one of the best European areal units for different linchen species. Many block trains with silicate rocks are the main characteristics of the Rannatal. Low temperatures in the spaces of those rocks gave some insects the possibility to survive since the last glacial epoch. Next to this, some marshlands have been created after a long time.

Rannatal nearly had to move for a power station but was luckily declared as a nature reserve in 2002. Only two years later, the nature reserve Rannatal was nominated as a Natura 2000 area.

Between 1947 and 1950, the "OÖ Kraftwerke AG" built the Rannatal dam in its current form. The reservoir behind the dam serves as a water reservoir for the power station in Kramesau.
The powerhouse in Kramesau is located on the Danube and is connected to the Ranna reservoir by a tunnel.

The dam - which is almost 50 metres high and the dam crest is 125 metres long - dams up the Ranna for four kilometres to near the village of Oberkappl to 2.35 million cubic metres of water.

The Ranna reservoir is used from the dam wall to Oberkappel as a fishing water known for its biodiversity.
See under  "Rannastausee fishing water"

Info: Gästeverein Neustift im Mühlviertel
Tel.: +43 (0)72 8481 55 

Blaue Männer und Medizinschlangen…   
An Aussichtspunkten erkennt man die Gegensätze der Donauhänge. Auf der einen Seite felsige, trockenwarme, steile Hänge, auf der anderen Seite flache Stellen und sanft ansteigende Hügel. Die steilen Hänge der Donauleiten bieten auf engstem Raum eine Vielzahl verschiedener Lebensräume. Nebeneinander kommen schattige Wälder, steile felsige Abstürze, Blockströme und enge Bachschluchten vor. Diese verschiedenen Lebensräume ermöglichen eine hohe Vielfalt an Tier- und Pflanzenarten. Zwei besonders interessante Bewohner sind die Smaragdeidechse und die Äskulapnatter. Die Smaragdeidechse ist in Bayern vom Aussterben bedroht und in Österreich stark gefährdet. Auffällig ist die blau gefärbte Kehle der Männchen in der Paarungszeit. Die Äskulapnatter ist die größte Schlange Mitteleuropas und ein geschickter Kletterer. Sie ist als Symbol an jeder Apotheke zu finden, wo sie gekonnt den Äskulapstab erklimmt.

Der Teufel trieb auch rund um den Penzenstein sein Unwesen. Wie die Gegend von ihm befreit wurde und warum noch heute seine Fußabdrücke am Penzenstein zu sehen sind, verrät die Donau-Sage "Zum Teufel mit dem Stein!".

When you enter the small manufactory of the chocolate shop run by Kurt and his daughter Karina Wöss, one thing is immediately clear: it smells of sweets! The familiar, warm smell of honey and chocolate takes you back to Grandma's kitchen. If you linger a little longer in the manufactory, you not only get to see extraordinary pralines and chocolates, but also experience a unique joy: the joy of the art of creating special treats from simple ingredients. Because behind every piece is pride, dedication and the endeavour to give people a little moment of pleasure.

The chocolate shop is located in the Danube region, more precisely in Pühret near Neustift, where handmade chocolate creations that are renowned for their quality and creativity have been produced since 2016. The centrepiece of the business is the handmade chocolate products in numerous variations. Kurt and Karina are particularly proud of their liqueur chocolates, which were originally created for the monastery in Engelhartszell. In addition to the liqueur chocolates, the chocolate shop offers a wide range of nougat and fruit pralines as well as seasonal specialities.

Karina and Kurt have been running the chocolate shop as a joint family business since the beginning of 2023. Kurt Wöss, whose passion began over 20 years ago, has made it his mission to produce exceptional pralines and chocolates. What once began as a small experiment in the home bakery developed into a true vocation. "You need time and peace and quiet to work with chocolate," says Kurt with a palpable dedication to his profession. With Karina, the company gained a breath of fresh air and creative ideas. Originally working in the metal trade, she also found her calling in the chocolate shop - her interest in creative work and customer contact is what fulfils her.

The close connection to the region is reflected in the use of regional ingredients: Spruce needles from the surrounding forests for the forest chocolate - which won the Upper Austrian Craftsmanship Award - honey from local beekeepers and fruit from local farmers. "We make sure that everything comes from the region," emphasises Kurt. The Wöss family's personal homage to the region is particularly evident in the specially created element chocolates, which symbolise the elements of earth, fire, water and air.

The chocolate shop is located along the Donausteig, which makes a visit during a hike perfect. One highlight is definitely the chocolate fountain, which delights young and old visitors alike. Kurt fondly remembers all the reactions when you see the chocolate fountain for the first time: "The eyes light up not only in the children, but also in the adults. Sometimes I wonder who enjoys it more!" These little moments make Kurt and Karina Wöss' chocolate shop a place that goes far beyond mere enjoyment.

Info: Gästeverein Neustift im Mühlviertel
Tel.: +43 (0)72 8481 55 

Arzt und Hausapotheke, Tel.: 8260
Postamt Neustift, Tel.: 0577677 4143
Rotes Kreuz, Notruf: 144
Polizei, Tel.: 059133 4255, Notruf: 133
Taxi, Tel.: 0664/3447929

Wandertipps   
Schmugglerweg: 12 km langer Rundweg, grenzüberschreitend (Reisepass mitnehmen)
Burgherrenweg: 10,8 km Rundroute an der Donauleit´n
Pühretsteig: 2 km langer Verbindungsweg zwischen Pühret und Donau
Seenweg: 16,7 km langer Rundweg zwischen Rannabadesee und Stausee.
Fitnessweg: 4,5 km langer Weg rund um den Rannastausee Details finden Sie in der Wander/Panoramakarte, erhältlich am Gemeindeamt.

Tipp   
Radrouten:    
Seenradrundweg: 20 km lange, anspruchsvolle Strecke teilweise im Naturschutzgebiet Rannatal.

Am Höhenrücken der Donau gelegen, zwischen Ranna,- und Donautal liegt Neustift nahe der bayerischen Grenze. Ein Urlaubsparadies für Familien, Radfahrer und Wanderer. Vom Rannabadesee (Bootsverleih u. Wasserrutsche) bis zum Donauradweg finden Sie viele Sehenswürdigkeiten: den Donaublick Penzenstein, die Freizeitanlage mit großem Kinderspielplatz, den Rannastausee mit Fitness,- und Kneippweg und zum Besichtigen lädt die Kunstwerkstatt Scharrer herzlich ein.

Wussten Sie, dass die Eierschwammerl mit ihrer satt-gelben Farbe angeblich auf "Jesus, Petrus und einen Krapfen" zurückgehen? Die Donau-Sage kennt die ganze Geschichte.