Viewpoint · Ilz Valley & Land of Three Castles

Hals Castle Ruins

High above a tight, almost complete bend of the Ilz, in the north of Passau, stand the ruins of Hals Castle, once the ancestral seat of the powerful Counts of Hals. The complex, dating from the 13th century, controlled the important trade and rafting route along the Ilz, along which timber and salt, among other goods, were transported. It was considered almost impregnable, for the narrow peninsula was artificially cut through at the castle, so that the stronghold was protected by water on all sides - an impressive example of medieval defensive architecture.

Today the preserved keep, gates and sections of wall invite exploration, and the climb up to the ruins is rewarded with one of the finest views in the Passau region: from the castle hill you look out over the picturesque historic district of Hals with its old houses and over the winding Ilz valley, flanked by steep slopes.

This near-natural river valley is affectionately called the 'Black Pearl' on account of its dark, peaty water and its pristine character, and ranks among the last largely untouched river landscapes in Bavaria. Hiking and themed trails link the castle ruins with the popular Ilz Valley Trail, which leads upstream from Passau into a quiet, green wilderness - ideal for an extended hike away from the city.