Description
Between the Leitha and the northern Rosalien Mountains, the hiking tip follows the first stage of the Vienna Alpine arc path through varied natural landscapes. Near the Babenberg city Wiener Neustadt, there are, besides worth-seeing viewpoints, refreshing waters, and cozy paths, some culinary highlights to discover.
Starting point of the tour
Katzelsdorf train station
Destination point of the tour
Haderswörth
Route description Hike to the Thermal Spa in Bad Erlach
The hike begins at Katzelsdorf train station. Initially, follow the main street towards the town center, then turn left into the residential street along the Mühlbach stream to Katzelsdorf Castle and the hiking starting point. From there, cross the factory canal bridge and the Leitha bridge. After the Leitha, the path turns right onto a gravel road, passing the Leitha wayside shrine, through the shady riparian forest. At the parking lot, the Kapellauweg begins, leading to the dam street. Turn right there, pass house no. 2, and continue gently uphill to a vineyard with views of Hohe Wand, Schneeberg, and Rax.
The path leads through a small forested area to the Eichbüchl viewpoint. Then it continues towards Eichbüchl Castle, where Dr. Karl Renner worked on plans for the Second Republic in 1945. The descent follows an asphalt road to the intersection, where you turn left towards Bad Erlach. A yellow-marked path continues uphill, passing a tree stump, then right onto a cart road.
On the ridge of the Rosalien Mountains, the forest road is followed for about 20 minutes before the hiking trail LA2 branches off towards Lanzenkirchen. The descent continues on a private road to Ofenbach, then on the main street turn right towards Lanzenkirchen, crossing the Leitha. Along the regional route A, the path follows the Leitha hiking trail to the confluence of Schwarza and Pitten. The hike ends here at Gasthof Mühlendorfer in Haderswörth.
There is the option to continue to the Linsberg Asia Thermal Spa or to the Bad Erlach train station.
Directions
Drive on the A2 from the direction of Vienna or Graz up to the Wiener Neustadt junction, then follow signs on the S4 towards Hungary/Eisenstadt/Mattersburg/Wr.Neustadt-Süd. Take the exit Katzelsdorf on the S4. Turn right and drive on the country road to Katzelsdorf.
Parking
Parking available at Katzelsdorf train station and in the town center of Katzelsdorf.
More info: www.oebb.at or www.vor.at
Author's tip
A stop at Restaurant Görg is highly recommended. On hot summer days, it is also worth taking swimwear, as just before Haderswörth there are easily accessible gravel banks on the Leitha. In bad weather, the rest of the hiking day can be spent at the Bad Erlach Thermal Spa. Don’t let the Leitha witches catch you.
