On the ruins of Aggstein

What equipment do you need on the Danube Cycle Path Passau-Vienna?

Possibly a small daypack, a saddlebag and a handlebar bag. Waterproof protective covers for backpacks, bags and mobile phones. Appropriate clothing, i.e. cycling shorts with padding, cycling outerwear, functional underwear and cycling gloves. Bathing suit and towel. Insect goggles, sun protection in the form of sunglasses, a peaked cap and sunscreen with a high sun protection factor.

In the event of a puncture you need repair tools, a patch kit, a spare hose, a multi-tool and an air pump. You should also always have a small first-aid kit with you.

Maps and Danube cycle path guide as well as bike computer or GPS device for orientation. Furthermore, a flashlight or headlamp, the mobile phone and a charger. Since you cross the border from Germany to Austria, you should also have an identity card with you. Filled drinking bottles and a bicycle lock should not be missing either.

1. Wearing a bicycle helmet is the first and most important safety precaution, because a bicycle helmet protects against head injuries.

2. Clothing with reflective strips gives additional visibility.

3. Give clear hand signals when turning, respect priority rules, adapt your speed to other cyclists on the Danube Cycle Path, drive slowly when approaching an intersection and drive slowly when there are pedestrians on the cycle path.

4. A bicycle bell helps to draw attention to yourself, especially when pedestrians are also on the Danube Cycle Path.

5. When you ride at night or in bad weather, your bike needs a light.

6. In order to be clearly visible to others in wind and weather, reflectors should be attached to your bike, directly under the handlebars at the front and 2 red reflectors at the rear, one directly on the luggage rack and one on the frame. Two reflectors should be mounted on the spokes on the front and two on the rear wheel, and reflectors should also be attached to the pedals.

Aggstein Castle

The ruins of Aggstein Castle, situated between Melk and Arnsdorf approximately 300 metres above the Danube on a 150-metre-long rocky spur that slopes steeply down on 3 sides, is the first castle in the Wachau valley. The ruins of Aggstein Castle are an elongated, narrow, twin castle, which slopes down from east to west and is adapted to the terrain, i.e. everything is double, with a rocky head integrated on each of the narrow sides, about 20 metres high, the "Bürgl" in the east and the "Stein" in the west. It is typical for such a large castle as Aggstein Castle that an outer castle with gates is attached to the Bürgl to the north and east. The outer bailey is followed by the central courtyard, which is about 80 metres long. In the west of the complex, elevated on the "stone", is the high castle with chapel and palace. The palace was the hall-like main building of medieval castles, extending over several storeys. The lord of the castle and his family lived on the upper floors. The ground floor often housed the castle's administration and garrison. In the Middle Ages, a nobleman owned a castle. From the 12th to the beginning of the 15th century, Aggstein Castle was owned by the Kuenringers, an Austrian ministerial family, unfree servants of the Babenbergs. In the 13th century, the lower nobility emerged from parts of this originally unfree class. During this time Aggstein Castle was conquered and destroyed twice. In the first half of the 15th century, Jörg Scheck von Wald, a councillor and captain of Duke Albrecht V of Habsburg, was enfeoffed with Aggstein Castle. Jörg Scheck von Wald rebuilt the destroyed castle between 1429 and 1436. The present substance of the ruins of Aggstein Castle still originates mainly from this reconstruction. Above the third gate, the heraldic gate, the actual entrance to the castle, is a relief coat of arms by Georg Scheck and the inscription 1429.

Go and find it!

Take bus 720 Krems from Melk or Krems to Aggsteiner Hof