Gottsdorf: Hiking, Pilgrimage History and Winter Cross-Country Skiing

Gottsdorf combines a striking Gothic parish church with hiking trails, a pilgrimage route and a cross-country ski trail. The activities offer different options: from an easy, short loop to a moderately difficult hike and cross-country skiing in winter.

Hiking between the Donauleiten and Ebenstein

The Smuggler’s Trail leads from Gottsdorf into the Donauleiten Nature Reserve. The Ebenstein Loop also passes through the protected area and leads directly to the Ebenstein Rock. This loop is rated easy, covers 2.8 kilometres and takes 50 minutes. The Höhenberg Loop is longer, at 4.3 kilometres with a stated walking time of 1 hour and 30 minutes, and is rated moderately difficult. Comparing the duration and difficulty can help you choose which of the two routes best suits your plans; trail and weather conditions can affect a hike.

The Höhenberg Loop starts at the western entrance to Gottsdorf. Along the way, the Kaltenbrunn pilgrimage chapel offers a place to rest. The chapel is set deep in the forest and is considered a hidden gem worth seeing. The loop therefore combines a specific hiking plan with a cultural stop. The Sonnenweg trail also starts in Gottsdorf, a district of Untergriesbach. A public toilet and drinking water are listed in Bad Gottsdorf; check the condition of the facilities when you arrive.

St. James and the Way of St. James

The Way of St. James from Krumau to Kufstein passes through Untergriesbach. The section between Neustift im Mühlviertel and Passau runs through the area, and the parish church of St. James in Gottsdorf is an important stop for pilgrims along this section. The church was built around 1450. Its original fabric has been preserved without alteration; it is the only Gothic church in the district with this distinction.

St. James gives Gottsdorf a distinctive cultural and historical dimension alongside its hiking routes. Its importance as a stop for pilgrims and its preserved Gothic fabric are two different reasons to take an interest in the church: one lies in its role along the Way of St. James, the other in its architectural history. Those interested in pilgrimage routes will also find a local connection here to a route that passes through Untergriesbach.

Cross-country skiing and other activities

A cross-country ski trail starts at the sports field in Gottsdorf. One section is usually groomed for skating. The trail is a seasonal offering: whether it is groomed, and how, depends on the weather and the current forecast. It is therefore a good idea to keep an eye on conditions when planning a day of cross-country skiing.

Another option is an alpaca hike, offered in Gottsdorf by “Alpakas am Jakobsweg.” Contact the provider for information and dates, and ask about dates that suit your trip. This differs from planning a route independently: the hike is arranged through a provider and requires booking a date.

Untergriesbach as a wider destination

Untergriesbach also has its own natural and cultural highlights. Rather than replacing Gottsdorf’s offerings, they broaden the picture of the wider destination. Walks and hikes are possible in the Donauleiten Nature Reserve and on the high plateaus of Untergriesbach. At 846 metres, Kühberg near Steinbüchl/Kühberg is the highest mountain in the municipality. In Untergriesbach, the late Gothic parish church of St. Michael forms part of the listed market square ensemble.

Two different cycling routes pass through the area: the Danube Cycle Path follows the Danube through the municipality to the Austrian border at Jochenstein. The Danube–Moldau Cycle Path runs from Obernzell via Untergriesbach to Haidmühle. So, alongside hiking and pilgrimage, the wider destination also offers cycling routes, each with its own route.

When looking for accommodation in Gottsdorf, you can start with what matters most to you: hiking in the Donauleiten, the Höhenberg Loop, pilgrimage history or—at the right time of year—cross-country skiing. If you also consider what the wider destination of Untergriesbach has to offer, you can include its hiking and cycling options in your travel plans.

View the wider destination: Untergriesbach.