Forests, Rivers and Historic Towns
Where Baroque Towns Meet the Upper Danube Valley
Few international travelers venture into this corner of Upper Austria, where forested uplands, river valleys, and the Baroque town of Schärding create a landscape rich in history and character. The Sauwald, Innviertel, and Upper Danube Valley reveal an Austria shaped not by mountains alone, but by rivers, culture, and tradition.
The Sauwald
Tucked away in Austria’s northwestern corner, the Sauwald is one of Central Europe’s hidden upland landscapes. Forming the largest part of the ancient Bohemian Massif south of the Danube in Upper Austria, the Sauwald is a broad, forested plateau near the German border.
Far from the crowded Alpine destinations that define Austria in the popular imagination, the Sauwald offers a gentler beauty of forested ridges, rolling farmland, and quiet villages. The region is a traditional cultural landscape, a mosaic of forests and farmland shaped by generations of farming.
An interesting local detail is its name. While Sauwald is commonly translated as “Woods of the Pigs,” a reference often linked to wild boar, historians believe the name evolved from the older term Passauer Wald (“Passau Forest”), reflecting the region's centuries-old ties to the nearby city of Passau. For travellers drawn to places beyond the guidebooks, the Sauwald offers authenticity, tranquillity, and quiet discovery.
The Innviertel
Situated between the rivers Inn, Danube, and Salzach, the Innviertel is a distinctive corner of Upper Austria shaped by both Austrian and Bavarian (German) influences. Until 1779, the region belonged to Bavaria, a legacy still visible in its colorful townscapes, traditions, and celebrated brewing culture.
The region encompasses a diverse landscape, from the broad forested plateau of the Sauwald and its traditional mosaic of forests and farmland to the fertile plains, floodplain forests, and historic towns along the Inn. Among them, Schärding stands out for its elegant Baroque architecture and pastel-colored facades overlooking the river.
Water has long shaped life here. Along the lower Inn, wetlands and nature reserves provide important habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife. Together, these varied landscapes create a region that remains deeply connected to its agricultural roots while offering a quieter and less familiar face of Austria—one defined by rivers, culture, and centuries of history.
The Danube Valley
Flowing from Germany's Black Forest to the Black Sea, the Danube is Europe's second-longest river and the only major river in the world to pass through ten countries. Along its journey, it has shaped some of the continent's most remarkable landscapes—including the Upper Danube Valley of Upper Austria.
One of the valley's defining landmarks is the Schlögener Schlinge (Schlögen Bend), where the Danube encounters the ancient granite of the Bohemian Massif and is forced into a dramatic double curve. Rather than cutting straight through the landscape, the river winds around a forested ridge, creating one of Central Europe's most distinctive river panoramas.
A short walk leads to the Schlögen Viewpoint, where the broad ribbon of water loops through a mosaic of forests, meadows, and cultivated fields. It is a landscape shaped by both nature and centuries of human presence—one that invites visitors to slow down and follow the rhythm of the river.
The Baroque Town of Schärding
Located on the River Inn at the border between Austria and Bavaria in Germany, Schärding is one of Upper Austria's most charming historic towns. Situated at the western edge of the Innviertel and close to the forested uplands of the Sauwald, the town forms a natural gateway to the landscapes of the Upper Danube region.
Its defining feature is the beautifully preserved Baroque town center, where rows of pastel-colored houses line the elegant town square, reflecting centuries of cultural exchange across the border.
Despite its modest size, Schärding has long been an important trading town. Today, its historic streets, riverside promenades, cafés, and markets create an atmosphere that feels both lively and unhurried. A stroll through the town reveals a place where history remains part of everyday life, blending culture, craftsmanship, and small-town charm.
Getting There
The Sauwald, Innviertel, and Upper Danube Valley are located in northwestern Upper Austria, close to the border with Bavaria in Germany. Often called the gateway to the Innviertel, the historic town of Schärding lies on the River Inn directly opposite Bavaria, roughly halfway between the Bavarian city of Passau and the Upper Austrian capital of Linz. The town marks the transition from the rolling hills and forested plateaus of the Sauwald to the fertile plains of the Inn Valley, while the Danube flows through the northern part of the region.
For international visitors, the easiest access points are the airports in Munich, Salzburg, and Linz, all within a comfortable driving distance. By rail, regular connections link the region to Austria's and Germany's major cities, with Schärding serving as a convenient gateway.
The area is best explored by car, allowing visitors to discover its quiet villages, scenic river valleys, forested plateaus, and hidden viewpoints at their own pace.
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