The "3-Brücken-Runde" is a famous circular running track at my hometown Krems an der Donau. But it is also a nice route for hiking or Nordic Walking.
I started my Nordic Walking tour at the park in Krems-Mitterau, right next to the house I am living in and I decided to walk clockwise. Of course, you can also chose other starting points and walk or run counter-clockwise.
From there I walked to the Danube river and continued walking on the dam.
From there you have a nice view to Göttweig Abbey.
Bridge No. 1: "St. Pöltner Brücke"
After 600 meters you reach the Donaubrücke Krems or "St. Pöltner Brücke" which was built in 1971. On this bridge, a four-lane road leads to St. Pölten, the capital of Lower Austria.
I walked up the staircase…
and used the pedestrian lane to get to the other side of the Danube which here has a width of approximately 400 meters. At the middle of the Danube, the city of Krems borders to the municipality of Furth bei Göttweig.
At the other side of the Danube, there's another staircase that I walked down.
Then I walked on the towpath right next to the Danube river in western direction.
After approximately 700 meters you reach the mouth of a small river called Fladnitz.
Here you have to turn left and walk up the river for about 400 meters.
Then you reach a bridge that you can use to cross the river.
Do not worry, the small pedestrian door cannot be locked and therefore can be opened whenever you want.
I walked back to the Danube, then turned left and continued walking in western direction.
Bridge No. 2: The railway bridge
Then I reached the next bridge - the railway bridge. This bridge has been finished in 1889. In 1945, at the last phase of World War II, the Wehrmacht destroyed this bridge when retreating. Rebuilding the bridge lasted until 1951.
Later, you can enjoy a great view to Krems-Stein.
Bridge No. 3: Mauterner Brücke
Finally I reached the Mauterner Brücke that connects Mautern an der Donau and Krems. Here, a wooden bridge has been built in 1463. This bridge was replaced by an iron bridge that has been built from 1893-1895.
Also this bridge was destroyed by the retreating Wehrmacht in spring 1945. But the rebuilding of this bridge started already in the summer of 1945. In September 1945, the rebuilt bridge was opened. This bridge was one of the first things that had been rebuilt in Austria after World War II.
I walked on this street back to the northern banks of the Danube river.
About hundred meters after the end of the bridge you will find an underpass under the street.
From there you get back to the Towpath that I used for walking back home.
Here's the "Schifffahrts- und Welterbezentrum" - the pier for all passenger ships. In the building you can buy tickets for the line ships and you will also find a nice café, the Wellen.Spiel there.
About hundred meters later you come to the marina.
You have to walk up this small tower to get to the bridge that crosses the entrance of the marina.
There are well-made graffiti inside this tower!
Then I continued my walk on the dam.
That's the modern building of via donau which is the Austrian waterway authority. From here it is only some hundred meters back to the point where I started this walk.
The whole walking (or running) distance of this tour is about 10 kilometers. I needed a little bit less than 2 hours. There are not many ascents or descents. All staircases have ramps for strollers as well.
For children, this tour might be a little bit too long, but for grown-ups it is a nice walk with beautiful views.
A more detailled German story including more photos and a more detailled map can be found on schmatz.blog!
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