Sankt Georgen an der Gusen

Sankt Georgen an der Gusen combines a moving culture of remembrance with hiking trails, cycling routes, a natural monument and regional products. Those planning a trip can choose between quiet memorial sites, longer tours and special insights into the history of the town. A holiday apartment or holiday home in Sankt Georgen an der Gusen offers a suitable starting point if you would like to combine culture with active days.

Experience history on the audio trail and at memorial sites

The AUDIOWEG GUSEN makes history audible through headphones: visitors hear the voices of survivors, contemporary witnesses from the local population, perpetrators and former guards. The Gusen audio trail is an art project by Christoph Viscorsum. It leads from the Gusen Memorial to Sankt Georgen an der Gusen and is approximately 6 kilometres long, including the return route. This form of remembrance combines a walk through the town with personal voices and historical perspectives.

The local history museum also focuses on the past. There, you can see personal belongings of prisoners from the Gusen concentration camp as well as a model of the underground tunnel complex “Bergkristall” built by prisoners. From the beginning of 1944, the second-largest underground DEST factory for the serial production of Messerschmitt jet fighters (Me 262) was built near the town centre under the code name “B8 Bergkristall”, under the strictest secrecy and murderous working conditions. The memorial trail is marked with monuments. The Path of Human Rights ends at the House of Remembrance and the “Bergkristall” concentration camp memorial site in Sankt Georgen an der Gusen.

Hiking between the hills and the Gusental valley

Several trails are available for different day plans. The Legends Trail is 10 kilometres long and includes 180 metres of ascent. The shorter of the two permanent IVV hiking trails is also 10 kilometres long and leads over the hills surrounding Sankt Georgen and around the town. The Beautification and Hiking Association has offered these two permanent IVV hiking trails in Sankt Georgen an der Gusen since 2008.

Those who prefer a longer hike can plan the Danube Höhenrundwanderweg. It leads through Sankt Georgen an der Gusen and onwards via Frankenberg and Kruckenberg to Mauthausen. When choosing your accommodation, consider which type of excursion should be the focus: a set loop with known route details, a historical trail or a longer connection through several towns.

Nature, cycling and water as further elements of your trip

Weingraben is a natural monument and wetland biotope in a disused quarry, approximately 30 minutes’ walk from the town centre. It complements the historical destinations with a natural landscape aspect. Cyclists can use the Danube Cycle Path from Passau via Linz to Hainburg, which passes Sankt Georgen an der Gusen. A somewhat more challenging cycle route leads through the Gusental valley.

For a change of pace after a hike or bike tour, Aquarella has a 25-metre swimming pool with direct access to the “fun pool”. The farmers’ market offers regional and seasonal products from direct sellers, including meat, bread, doughnuts, pastries, fruit, vegetables, cheese, honey, jams, eggs and pasta products. This also makes it possible to enjoy quieter days surrounded by regional impressions.

Choose accommodation and arrival options to suit your travel plans

A free Park and Ride facility with connections to the public transport network is located directly next to the ÖBB stop in Sankt Georgen an der Gusen. This is a practical point of reference if you would like to consider different means of transport when arriving or taking excursions.

You can also compare other places in the selection: Baumgartenberg, Allerheiligen im Mühlkreis, Henndorf, Arbing, Windhaag bei Perg, Straß, Sankt Thomas am Blasenstein and Rechberg.

For the higher-level travel overview: Perg.