Schlögener Schlinge

The Schlögener Schlinge is a dramatic loop in the upper Danube valley in Upper Austria, halfway between Passau and Linz. It is Europe’s largest forced meander, where the Danube cuts through the Bohemian Massif in a series of tight bends. The river turns almost 180 degrees twice, reversing its general south-easterly flow to north-westerly before resuming its eastward course. The loop is recognised as one of Austria’s natural wonders, chosen by public vote in 2008. Its steep valley walls and shifting currents once made it a hazardous stretch for shipping. Today the river is tamed by upstream dams, yet the loop remains a striking example of how water shapes the land over centuries. Visitors walk the signed nature trail along the left bank between Au and Grafenau, where boards explain local geology and wildlife. A hotel near the old Roman fort’s remains marks the southern shore, while viewpoints like the Haichenbach castle ruins and the Linetshuber lookout frame sweeping views of the looping river. Cyclists follow the Danube cycle path, and three small ferries carry people across the wide water, linking paths on either bank.