WAB - Stage 1: Katzelsdorf - Bad Erlach

Hiking route from Katzelsdorf Castle, Schlossstraße 1, 2801 Katzelsdorf to Bad Erlach, Therme Linsberg Asia car park

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Elevation profile

31,86 km length

Tour dates
  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • Route: 31,86 km
  • Ascent: 694 egm
  • Descent: 609 egm
  • Duration: 7:00 h
  • Lowest point: 267 m
  • Highest point:748 m
Features
  • Nice views

Details for: WAB - Stage 1: Katzelsdorf - Bad Erlach

Brief description

On the 1st stage of the Viennese Alpine Way (WAB), the Rosalia, as the balcony of the Bucklige Welt, offers a panoramic view of the entire Viennese Alps around Wechsel, Semmering, Rax, and Schneeberg.

Description

The Rosalia, the balcony of the Bucklige Welt, offers a first, wide-ranging view of the entire Viennese Alps. A series of castles and ruins shows a turbulent past of a desirable region near the border. With light steps on the plains and the ridge, and a sporty ascent up the Rosalia, the aim of this stage is to discover the Voralpen hills in this undulating landscape. Enjoy the spirituality and contemplative nature of this area and wander around the woods in the footsteps of the holy Rosalia. Walk along the Mariazeller Pilgerweg for a few kilometres and meditate. The vantage points at Eichbüchl and Rosalia Chapel also offer magnificent views.

Starting point of the tour

Katzelsdorf Castle, Schlossstraße 1, 2801 Katzelsdorf

Destination point of the tour

Bad Erlach, Therme Linsberg Asia car park

Route description WAB - Stage 1: Katzelsdorf - Bad Erlach

We start the first stage at Katzelsdorf Castle and at the Viennese Alps information point in Lower Austria. Heading east along the Viennese Alps Way, we cross the Werkskanalbrücke and the Leithabrücke on a wooden walkway. Immediately after the Leitha, we turn right onto a gravel track, pass the Leitha wayside shrine and follow the signposts for the Viennese Alp Way through the shadowy alluvial forest. Leaving the forest, we turn left at the start of a car park and head onto Kapellauweg and then onto Dammstraße, where we turn right. We walk on the right past house no. 2 and follow a gently ascending gravel track until signs lead us to the right and up from the gravel path to a vineyard. Continuing up this route gives us our first glimpses of Hohe Wand, Schneeberg, and Rax before turning onto a meadow path just before a hedge. We can see the Redemptorist monastery in Katzelsdorf on the right, whilst the fenced-off path joins a

gravel track, and we turn left here. Faced with a barrier on the edge of the woods, the route takes us right onto a track, we cross a small forest and arrive at the Eichbüchl vantage point along with a rest area which can be seen a few metres to the right and not directly on the route itself. It’s worth enjoying the view of the highest peaks in Lower Austria at this point.

Back on Hauptweg, we recognise Eichbüchl Castle, in which the former State Chancellor Dr. Karl Renner lived from 9-20 April 1945, working on the reconstruction plans for the Second Austrian Republic. The gourmet Kupfer-Dachl restaurant is nearby so we can enjoy fruit juices from the region and seasonal specialities to still our hunger and thirst.

The paved road leads downhill to a crossroads, where we turn left and head into the woods. Soon afterwards, we veer right along an increasingly steep hiking trail towards Bad Erlach that is signposted in yellow. Shortly after a large tree stump with markings on it is seen on the left, we turn right onto a cart track and continue going downhill. We go right at the upcoming clearing and arrive onto the forest road along the ridges of the Rosalia mountain range. We now follow the forest road right and largely head along the Kammweg route, marked in red, past Weißes Kreuz and on to a crossroads somewhat below the transmitter on the Rosalia. The Viennese Alps Way continues right parallel to the Mariazellerweg. However, a short detour up to Rosalia Chapel and the vantage point there is worthwhile.

The well-signposted forest track leads past several houses on Heuberg and via stunning narrow paths with views of the Viennese Alps towards the hamlet of Mehlberleiten. We turn left over a stream and follow the forest road uphill along the Ofenbach stream. This route takes us on a right-hand bend and then leaves the forest road to the left and onto a forest path. A little later on, the forest road becomes a paved road. We hike along the right-hand side of this and then turn left onto a forest path before a right-hand bend. Continue along the forest path slightly downhill before coming across a narrow paved road. Keep going until you reach a dual carriageway. Keep right and after a few metres alongside the road turn right onto a cart track before a bridge and alongside a rock face. We stay on the track alongside the Klingfurther Bach stream, ignore the first route to the left and then go left past a private property. Crossing over a meadow, we reach another wooden walkway, cross over the stream, and follow the cart track to a paved road. We go right and then left after a short period of time, going uphill on a narrow paved track looking towards the Pfarrkirche at Walpersbach. We go down staircases onto Gemeindestraße, turn right, and then follow the road on the right past the municipal office until reaching a crossroads. At this point, we continue going through Walpersbach on the left and on to Bad Erlach, follow the Hauptstraße on the right, past the church, over Pitten and on to Bad Erlach railway station. Go past the station on the right and over the tracks, turn left onto Quergasse and follow the footpath to Therme Linsberg Asia.

Directions

If you are coming from Vienna or Graz via the A2, take the S4 towards Eisenstadt at Wiener Neustadt and then leave at the Katzelsdorf exit. Then turn right and follow the signs for Katzelsdorf Castle when in Katzelsdorf.

Parking

Car parking is available on the forecourt at Katzelsdorf Castle. 

Take the 7840 regional bus, operated by VVNB, from Wiener Neustadt station to Katzelsdorf Castle. From Katzelsdorf station walk ca. 15 minutes south to reach Katzelsdorf Castle.

More information can be found at www.oebb.at

More info/links

You may like to hike the adjoining routes:

WAB- Stage 2: Bad Erlach - Thernberg

WAB - Regional Route A: Katzelsdorf - Lanzenkirchen - Bad Erlach

Viennese Alps in Lower Austria, www.wieneralpen.at, +43 / 2622 / 78960

Thermengemeinden tourist office, www.thermengemeinden.at, +43 / 2627 / 81362

You can obtain free information regarding your hiking tour. These route guides provide an overview of the course as well as information regarding rest points. Please note that this is not a proper hiking map.

Equipment

Always bring suitable maps. Always wear appropriate, sturdy footwear, bring sun and rain protection and water, as well as a little something to eat. Bring your mobile phone with you and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140

 

 

Accommodation is only available at the beginning and end of the stage.

Safety information

Your hiking experience in the Vienna Alps should be a thoroughly enjoyable and safe one. Therefore, please bear the following in mind:

Preparation

When choosing a route, make sure it corresponds to your mountain experience and physical fitness level. Check the weather forecast before you set off. The weather can change surprisingly quickly in the mountains. Always take appropriate equipment with you (e.g. rain protection).

Check whether the cabins and snack stations you intend to visit along the way are open. Inform someone before you set off of your chosen route and when you plan to return.

Map recommendations

Freytag & Berndt WK 023

Author's tip

How does a relaxing visit and overnight stay at the Therme Spa Hotel Linsberg Asia sound after the hike? The Storchenrauchfang (storks nesting in a chimney) and the Heimatmuseum in “Alte Mühle” in Bad Erlach are worth seeing.

More tours around the starting point