Description
The regional circular hiking trail no. 22 leads you through the hiking region Südliches Waldviertel.
Starting point of the tour
Pöggstall
Destination point of the tour
Pöggstall
Route description Ysper-Weitental circular hiking trail
We start in Pöggstall in front of the castle. After the roundabout, we walk up through the Rehgässchen and then turn sharp left back to the Schanzlweg. There you can once again see the impressive overall ensemble of Pöggstall Castle. Shortly afterwards, we turn right and walk uphill along a small goods path. The path then branches off to the right and leads through Christmas tree cultures and meadows - from which you have a beautiful view of the Annakirche and Pöggstall - to Bergern. At the end of this small village, we go up to the left and hike on gravel paths through the high forest further and further uphill to Straßreith. Immediately in front of the farm, which is located here in a solitary position, we again have a wonderful far-reaching view. Now we continue on a field path to a point where we turn right and march through the middle of a meadow. A little later we reach the goods road that leads to Muckendorf. We turn right and walk in the direction of Braunegg.
Shortly after the junction with the provincial road, however, we turn left again and hike along the goods road to the football pitch of Braunegg. This place is called Wiegenhalt. There we climb onto the newly built viewing platform, which gives us a magnificent 360 degree panoramic view - the Jauerling to the east, the mountain range of the Schneeberg to the southeast, the Ötscher to the south, the Sengsengebirge to the southwest, Bad Traunstein to the west....
Recommendable is a refreshment in one of the inns of Braunegg, before we now hike downhill through the high forest. On the Eibelhof meadow, the grazing cows watch us curiously. After leaving Neusiedl behind, we continue to the main road, where we reach Sassing after a few hundred metres. At the village sign, we turn left uphill and walk through the village. At the end of the village we have the opportunity to make a detour to the Sassing ruins. The ascent there is quite steep - but as a reward you can examine a very well preserved, beautifully laid wall and remains of the ruin.
The Ysper-Weitentalweg, however, continues straight on until it joins the main road, which we leave after about 300 metres and start the route to Raxendorf on a wide gravel path. Through shady woods, the trail continues swiftly to Kreuzriedl shortly before Raxendorf. At this beautiful vantage point we stop and read through the amazing story of the yeoman farmers that we are told here. In Raxendorf we have the opportunity to stop at the inns. Now we continue through an open landscape with meadows, fields and fields, through Lehsdorf to Zeining. After this village, the trail climbs. It goes steadily uphill on a forest path to the Nonnersdorfer/Zeininger cross. During the ascent, however, you should turn around a few times to enjoy the great view of the Spitzer Graben. The rest area at the Nonnersdorfer/Zeininger Kreuz is very well maintained. Rustic tables and benches invite you to take a break. Afterwards, we march a little further through the high forest until we finally reach the open countryside near Nonnersdorf again.
We leave the Spielberg estate road at the intersection of the communities of Maria Laach, Weiten and Raxendorf - there we turn right. After 300 metres, we enter the high forest area again and leave it behind us just before Eibetsberg. In between, however, there are some views, for example into the Weitental valley with the striking mountain nose of the Ostrong. Before we start the descent to Weiten through the beech forest, we rest a little. On the bench in front of Eibetsberg we have a wonderful view. The next stage requires a bit of attentiveness. A path leads steeply downhill in serpentines through beech forest and it can be - depending on the weather - slippery. Halfway down, we discover the panels of the theme trail "'Man and his Tree". At the station "Föhre", before the village of Weiten, we should climb up a few metres to the right. Up there, next to an old wayside shrine, is a resting place with a view of Weiten and the Weitental valley.
Then the last few metres downhill and we have arrived in Weiten. Here there are inns and cafés to stop at or a grocery shop to fill up your backpack. The 22- trail leads us in a small right-hand loop almost to the Jindra sundial house. We do not miss this unique tourist highlight. In the modern and informative sundial museum we learn a lot about the centre of our solar system, and in the sundial garden we admire the many different models of sundials that are made in this metalworking shop. Then we continue our trip. Past the large sundial at the fountain on the market square, we walk over the bridge of the Weitenbach. The 22- path now winds its way past the imposing fortified church and the beautifully renovated "Luisenheim" up towards Nasting. We are now at the foothills of the Jauerling Nature Park. Always slightly uphill, we finally reach the Jausenbankerl at the Spielerkreuz. Here we again have a wonderful view of the Danube valley and into the Mostviertel. There are old fruit trees along the road. In late summer, some ripe plums provide a delicious snack. Before reaching Seiterndorf, we turn left and after a short stretch on asphalt we turn right into the deciduous forest. The forest path takes us to just before Lohsdorf. There, at the crossroads, we have to go down on the meadow path - before the asphalt road on the left. We also leave the village on the left - straight ahead we go downhill to the old stone bridge - which is also incorrectly called the Roman bridge. The Schwarzaubach flows under the bridge - which shows an amazing width here. After a few minutes' rest on this idyllic bridge, we tackle the slightly ascending forest path that takes us to the Aichau-Payerstetten junction. There we cross the road and march straight on to Leiben.
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Soon after the town sign of Leiben, we turn left and march through the centre of the village with inns and a grocery shop until we reach the Meierhof and the Europaschloss Leiben. This castle houses the Agricultural Technology Museum and an exhibition of scales. Markets and sales exhibitions are held here at Easter and in Advent. However, our hiking trail branches off to the right shortly before the castle. In the settlement area that follows, we turn left "Auf der Hohenbreiten" and march along the panoramic loop until we suddenly see the Danube in front of us. The view falls on the mighty grounds of Melk Abbey and on the Melk Danube power station. We continue our walk around the Henzingberg through the small wood. If you want, you can go up to the lookout point to enjoy the impressive panoramic view. You can see into the foothills of the Alps to Ötscher and Schneeberg, to the Danube in the Nibelungengau, to Jauerling and into the southern Waldviertel to Artstetten. We hike on and soon reach Leiben again. This time, however, we go in the other direction - along the Austrian Way of St. James we reach Losau. In the middle of the village we immediately notice the wooden bell tower. The trail continues to climb gently through cultivated farmland and mixed forest towards Artstetten. We can see the striking towers of the castle from afar and are already looking forward to stopping for refreshments when the path suddenly leads us all the way down into a valley depression. This means that before we get something in our teeth, we still have a steep climb ahead of us. In Artstetten Castle, which still belongs to the Hohenberg family, is the tomb of Archduke Ferdinand von Habsburg, who was assassinated with his wife Sophie von Hohenberg in Sarajevo in 1914. This assassination was the official trigger of the First World War. In the rooms of the castle everything about the noble family, the family life of the Archduke as well as the tragic events in Serbia are shown and explained. Before we visit the castle, we enjoy food and drink in one of the inns in the centre of the village. Along the castle garden, which is famous for its peonies and will feature the original "Adel vernaschen" project in the next few years, we leave this place, which is steeped in history, somewhat pensive. The Ysper-Weitentalweg now leads us through airy mixed forests alternating with open landscapes to Maria Taferl.
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Past the 9-hole golf course, we strive towards the church towers of the basilica, visible from afar. Of course, a visit to the famous pilgrimage church and the treasure chamber is just as much a part of the programme as a visit to the mechanical nativity scene and the Alpine panorama in the Frey Inn (electromechanical miniature work of art from 1900). In front of the church you have a wonderful view of the Danube valley. After a refreshment in one of the inns and buying a souvenir at the stall market in front of the church, we set off again. A nice path leads us a short distance on sloping meadows. And then it's steadily uphill through shady deciduous forests. We pass the villages of Reitern, Pargatstetten and Kollnitz. If you want, you could take a short detour to visit the Original Waldviertler Heuunterbetten farm in Kollnitz. Shortly before Kollnitzberg, we leave the forest and walk briskly through fields and fields to Münichreith.
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Here is another opportunity for refreshments - either in the grocery shop or in one of the inns. A visit to the small Haselböck pub brewery is recommended. The 22- path leads along the village road to the Antonius Marterl. Here we branch off to the left and come to the village of Mayerhofen via small farm tracks. At the end of the village we turn right and from here we follow flat field paths in the open valley floor to Laimbach. Dining, sleeping and shopping - all this is possible in the centre of Laimbach - and we take advantage of the offer.
The next stage is one of the most demanding on the Ysper-Weitental circular trail. The route takes us from Laimbach to Hinterholz. There we begin with the ascent of the Peilstein. Steadily ascending, the path, which then turns into a short steep climb, leads us up to the square where we have to decide - do we want to take the more difficult but shorter ascent to the Peilstein, or do we want to take the easy route. We decide on the second option. From now on the wide forest road goes steadily slightly uphill. Passing the Katzenstein, we finally reach the Birkenkreuz. There we turn right. The path continues steadily uphill - to the Summit Experience Peilstein. Then finally - turn right again and we are then standing at the fairground in front of the Kleiner Peilstein. After we have climbed the last few metres to the top of the small Peilstein, we must of course take a photo at the summit cross. Our gaze wanders over the magnificent valley landscape at our feet. Then it's time to climb back down. A small path leads us from the Kleiner Peilstein to the Großer Peilstein. From here the view is almost more dramatic - the rugged cliffs, the densely forested mountain slopes and the villages of the Ysper-Weitental at great depth. After all, we are standing at 1061 metres above sea level and looking down into the valley at about 500 metres above sea level. But we still have a lot ahead of us today, because the next stage takes us for a long time through the high forest of the Ostronges. In order to reach the Rote Säge inn or even Nöchling, we have to march on quickly. After a third of the entire descent, we have reached the Kaiserstein, which almost disappoints us a bit with its appearance. We continue in the forest - past the TVN shelter we finally reach Neuwaldhäusl. Within sight of a turn-around place we have to be careful - we have to turn right - the 22er turns into a small trail here. Immediately afterwards we reach a farm and, after a long time in the forest, we are once again in a landscape tended by farmers. The route now goes briefly on an asphalted goods road - turn right twice and we are already in front of a house again. Along the garden fence we come to a meadow. Here, too, we keep to the right and head for the paddock opposite. Now we have a winding little path in front of us - it leads us through young trees to a crossroads. We take the forest road straight ahead in the direction of Rotes Kreuz and after about 100 metres we dive back into the high forest. At the "Rotes Kreuz" crossroads as well as at the next "Golleck-Wimmergrund" crossroads, we continue straight ahead until we finally reach the main road 36. We cross this and continue walking until we reach the forester's lodge "Kleehof".
From here the path winds down to the Roten Säge. There we look forward to a fine meal in the shady garden. Well fortified, we now continue again. Through the mixed forest - always uphill - open countryside awaits us again at Oberfelln. Through this slightly hilly landscape with good views, we march past pastures and beautiful farms in isolated locations until the 22 path joins the main road. After a short stretch on the road, we turn right at Dreimühlen and now find ourselves right next to the Kleine Ysper. We hike along the river for about 1.5 kilometres. Then we have a steady climb through mixed forest to contend with before we finally reach the village of Nöchling.
Of course, a stop for a break is also on the programme here. As we continue, we pass the Brandstätterkreuz. From this vantage point we enjoy the fascinating panoramic view of the Alps. After the Nöchling town sign, we take the right-hand goods road at the "Hubertusweg" junction. It leads us through loose mixed forest at the end of which we have a beautiful view of the Toberspitz, the Pelletriedl and the Kleine Yspertal. After a short stretch through well-tended meadows and fields, we enter the forest again. At the bottom of a small stream, we treat ourselves to a short Kneipp cure in the clean but cold water. Then we continue on a narrow grassy path that leads up the slope. We cross the goods road, walk through a young forest with many forest raspberry bushes that tempt us to nibble, down to the Ysper bridge at the Ölmühle inn. Take a break in the garden next to the Ysper. After a short stretch on the main road, the Ysper Weitentalweg leads over the bridge to the right. Immediately after the bridge we turn left and continue along the edge of the forest. The image of Christ on the tree catches our eye, as does the atmospheric open space we hike through before continuing on a forest path towards Kornbergmühle. Now we go through the Loseneggerklamm - a wonderful natural attraction. You have to be a little careful here, because nature has largely reclaimed the footbridges and railings.
The small weir in the woods is a little bit of a challenge.
The small weir, the lush green of moss and ferns, the wonderfully clear water rushing over the stones - all this gives you the feeling of being in an enchanted forest. At the top, the trail leads into a small forest path. Here we keep to the right and pass a large, dilapidated building that was probably a former mill. Through tall forest grasses we soon reach a new building, which we leave on the right. We are now back on the main road. Follow the road for a few hundred metres and then leave it at the two trees on the embankment. It is a grassy path that goes up along the hedge and then turns into a short hollow way. No sooner have we passed this hollow way than the landscape opens up. How marvellous this far-reaching view into the foothills of the Alps and Upper Austria is! Then we continue slightly uphill along the goods road of the village of Langlehen to the Pellethof. There, too, we enjoy the wonderful panoramic view. Now we hike over a hill and come to one of the many scattered settlements of St. Oswald names Stiegeramt. We walk comfortably on flat paths to Raiden. There we turn right at the EVN tower and then immediately left at the crossroads.
We stay on the edge of the forest until, after a few 100 metres, the 22- path leads us right into the forest. Here we follow the signs and climb up through the high forest until we reach the fitness trail of St. Oswald. It is not far to the end of the forest on the left. We follow the road straight ahead along the sports field past the swimming pool and enjoy the wonderful Ötscher view. At the end of Sportplatzgasse, we are in the centre of St. Oswald. Here we recharge our batteries in one of the inns. There are also nice and cosy places to stay overnight in St. Oswald.
The trip continues, however. Past the village well and the fire station, we take the goods path shortly after the village sign, which runs to the right below the road.
On this route, we see some beautiful and cosy accommodation.
On this stretch we can see far into the country - this time towards Yspertal and its highest elevation, the Ostrong. In front of the farmhouse, we turn right and shortly afterwards reach the road towards Yspertal again. The hiking trail continues opposite the bus shelter. Shortly afterwards we leave the road, turn right and hike up through the forest to the Hauptmann Mayer- Ruhe. This beautiful spot invites you to take a break with a fantastic view. The next stage leads us through light-flooded woodland to the "Steinernen Kornmandl", which is located in the middle of a meadow. Of course, there is a legend about this natural monument, but also a curious story from times when nature conservation was not taken very seriously. We then dive into the forest again for a short distance before we can marvel at the wide open countryside with the Alpine panorama again at Windaaghof. It is not for nothing that there is a resting bench here under two large fruit trees. Now we continue on forest paths up to the Herzstein. This unique stone structure looks - as the name suggests - like an upside-down heart. Of course, a selfie and a kiss are not to be missed!
Following the Ysper Weitentalweg trail, we walk around the stone and then strictly follow the yellow markings again, which lead us through the forest down to the main road. Shortly after reaching the road, we leave it again. We branch off to the right - the trail continues through woodland - but this time always slightly downhill - towards Yspertal. At the Marterl we again have the opportunity to take a break and let the open landscape take its effect on us. Before the next houses we turn right downhill. Cross a small ford and walk through the forest again: first on a forest road, then on a small grassy path. Here, too, we keep to the trail markings. The signs of the forest nature trail promise us that we will soon come to a village again.
And really: we reach Yspertal.
Past the Florianimarterl we come to the parish church. In Yspertal, as well as in the next village of Altenmarkt, there are several possibilities for refreshments and overnight stays.
For the next stage, we really have to go back to Yspertal.
For the next stage, we walk past the church along Ysperstraße to Geiersteinstraße. At the small bend next to the garage, we change to the grass path and march to the end of the meadow slope. There we turn right - cross the small bridge, turn left and immediately right again along the marked footpath along the Ysper. We first pass the forest pond and then the Puschacher pond. The flat route leads through the open Yspertal valley via Paming and Pisching towards the Ysperklamm gorge. The stage through the completely newly renovated gorge is impressive. Again and again we stop to watch the tumbling masses of water. At the end of the Ysper gorge, at the top of the former Ödteich, we treat ourselves to a break in the shelter. From now on, the trail leads through the mighty forests of the Weinsbergerwald on wide forest roads to Dorfstetten. Here it is important that we keep to the markings - otherwise we are lost in this largest contiguous forest area in Austria. We pass the Königwald forester's lodge, Rothirsch and Schafluckenstraße, pass by the Annabild and finally reach Dorfstetten. This village is known for its Passion Play, which takes place every five years and involves almost the entire village population. Dorfstetten offers refreshment and shopping facilities.
The Ysper Weitentalweg turns right at the Dorfmühle junction. Continue on the main road for a short distance. At the sawmill we turn off to Natternbichl. Now we dive back into the Weinsberg forest - Nestlstockstraße, Ofenbadenstraße, Gflüderstraße are just some of the crossroads we leave behind us before we reach the idyllically situated Pfaffenstegteich. On Dreiblöchlbergstraße we turn off in the direction of Hubertusteich and continue hiking through the Habsburg Lorraine forests until we reach Schlesingerteich. This romantically situated pond also invites you to take a bath.
Arrived in Bärnkopf we look forward to a stop for refreshments. We buy provisions for our backpacks at the "Gschäftl". Vis-a-vis the hiking sign trunk, hiking trail number 22 leads us back into the forest in the direction of Gutenbrunn. We pass the old sand pit, cross the state road, continue hiking on the Dreiblöchelberg towards Weinsberg. Here, too, the signposting is a great help - trees as far as the eye can see, with generous forest roads in between, but they all look the same. As we climb the 1061-metre Weinsberg, we are already looking forward to the view that awaits us up there. We climb the few metres up to the remains of the ruin and shortly afterwards we are standing on the platform that served for anti-aircraft exercises during World War II, enjoying the magnificent view of Hochwechsel and Watzmann. After the descent, we reach the main road, which we follow to the right for about 20 metres and then immediately turn right again. Pass the barrier and follow a wide forest road until you see a large tree with many markings. Here we turn left. First a steep track, then a path - past a high stand we finally reach a forest road again. There we march on to the left. At the next junction - the Neustallwiese - the 22 path goes to the right. From here, we keep straight on next to the "Große Ysper". Only after a while do we turn left and then immediately take the right path. The forest path then leads us straight ahead again. First there is a bridge without railings, at the next junction we take the right path which leads us over a small bridge with railings. A little later we come to a path trumpet. Here we turn left twice and soon we reach the shelter at the end of the Ysper gorge again. Our Ysper-Weitental circular trail now continues left towards Gutenbrunn. Always slightly ascending - past the Bärenwand we reach the Eppenbergerstadl. In front of the Stadl we find one of the many stands with QR codes on the topic of "Traces in the Weinsberg Forest". This interesting project explains the settlement and industrialisation of the Weinsbergerwald through its eventful history. There is a new museum in Gutenbrunn - the Truckerhaus.
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We now take the left-hand paths at all upcoming turn-offs. Eventually we also pass the only biathlon facility in Lower Austria (a short detour - 100 m up to the left onto the facility is worthwhile). The 22 continues straight ahead until we meet the main road again. We now walk along the road for a few 100 metres until we turn left at the Hanslteich. At the end of the dam, we leave the nice festival area virtually on our left and follow our hiking trail number 22 to the right. After a little more than half a kilometre we reach Gutenbrunn.
There we immediately try out the benefits of the inhalatorium. We sit down in the wooden pavilion, where salty water trickles over fir brushwood. This releases essential oils. Those who want to can still try the Kneipp path in the open-air area. In Gutenbrunn we take advantage of the opportunity for refreshments - be it in the inn, the café or the grocery shop. We continue along the Dorfstraße. Vis-a-vis the parish church we turn left. After the asphalt stockyard there is a small hill - there we march to the right on a forest path slightly uphill and then it goes downhill again until we reach the end of the forest. The Ysper-Weitental circular trail now leads through meadows and fields through the small village of Edlesberg to the idyllically located Edlesberger Teich.
After a stop at the "Seewolf", we treat ourselves to a cool down in the clean, iron-rich water. Then we tackle the last stage with a walking time of just over 4 hours: back to the starting point of our hike in Pöggstall. The 22- trail leads us along a goods road until we reach a sawmill building. There a small forest path branches off to the left. We continue along this path until we come to the junction towards the observatory. At this junction we turn right and walk straight ahead. We pass the "Orion" observatory and the village of Öd. We change from the asphalted goods road to a field path (from here we have a beautiful view of Gutenbrunn) and immediately afterwards turn left onto a grassy path. The trail descends briefly and we are already at the beginning of the village of Martinsberg. At the junction with the main road, keep left. We march past the Reitzendorf crossroads, the new secondary school, the municipal office and reach the centre of the village. Here you have the opportunity to do some shopping in the grocery shop or, depending on opening hours, to take a break in one of the inns. Shortly after the sharp bend, we turn into the following street. At the end of the lane, the 22- path leads down to the Wiesmühlenweg. We follow this (there is a farm on the left) and go uphill on the left. In the middle of the ascent we turn right into a grass path, which now leads us as a cart track through the forest. Around 1800, this cart track was the post road from Pöggstall via Gutenbrunn to Zwettl. At the end of the path we see a bridge railing - here we continue to the right on the asphalt path until we enter the forest again. From here, a beautiful forest path leads us to the next bridge railing. We turn left, walk up the road and cross the federal road 36. Now we have to scramble up the embankment, then walk uphill on a steep path and then along the edge of the meadow until we reach the junction with a forest road. On this forest road, we go to the right and always keep to the right path at all upcoming forks until we come to the open area of Annagschmais.
Past the newly renovated wayside shrine and the few houses, we come back into the high forest. At the next fork, the 22- path goes down to the left. As soon as we leave the forest, we again have a good view towards Weitental.
Our Ysper Weitental trail joins a country road once again - here we turn left and after about 20 metres we immediately turn onto the unpaved path that leads down to the forest on the right. Now comes a long stage always downhill through the mixed forest. The forest path finally leads us back to the main road. We now walk along this road until we reach the signpost of Pöggstall.
And now we have reached the starting point of our Ysper-Weitental circular hike!
