WAB - Stage 2: Bad Erlach - Thernberg

Your hikes in the Vienna Alps should be a thoroughly enjoyable and safe experience. Please therefore observe the following:

Preparation

When choosing the route, make sure it corresponds to your mountain experience and your fitness. Check the weather report in advance. Weather in the mountains can change suddenly. Always start out properly equipped (e.g., rain protection).

Check whether the huts and snack stations you want to visit are open. Inform someone about your chosen route and planned return before setting out.

Always bring suitable maps. Wear sturdy shoes adapted to the route, bring sun protection and rain gear as well as water and a small snack. Take your mobile phone and store the mountain rescue emergency number: 140.

The second stage starts at the parking lot of the Therme Linsberg Asia. We walk on the footpath between the spa and the parking lot heading south to the edge of the forest, turn left and follow the edge of the forest to the road. Alternatively, we go right over the forest cemetery back to the road. Turn right at the road and turn left at a parking lot near the access road to the forest cemetery. Crossing the tracks, we reach Bad Erlach again, turn right onto Schwarzer Weg and walk alongside the tracks to the junction of Brunner Straße. We turn left over the Pitten, then shortly after turn right onto Uferstraße and follow it to the pharmacy of Saint George. At the pharmacy, we turn left onto Georg-Gottschall-Straße and continue straight on to Aspanger Straße. Just before the plague column at a parking lot, we keep left onto Bergstraße. We walk uphill on the street along the footpath to Bergkirche and before the entrance to the church turn right onto a hiking path uphill to the castle. A detour to Bergkirche with carillon and miniature houses is worth it. Those who want to visit the rock church can reach it to the right via a footpath next to Bergkirche; inquire at 0664/73403891.

We cross a forest road and after a few meters arrive again at a forest road. To the left is the privately owned Pitten Castle, we continue to the right along the forest road. After 100 meters at the crossroads we go half right towards Leiding. Always follow the forest road towards Leiding. Back in the open field, we realize thanks to the view why the Bucklige Welt is called so and soon descend on an asphalt road into the center of Leiding. We walk straight ahead past the church continuing on the road to Thernberg. On comfortable gravel roads and farm tracks, we continue to Stanghof and then descend shortly afterwards to Neustift with views of the Thernberg ruins. At the end of the farm track, we turn left onto the road to Thernberg. At the confusing curves, be careful briefly before reaching the village and the Landgasthof Thaler.

Parking is available at Therme Linsberg Asia.

From Vienna via the A2, take the exit at Wiener Neustadt to the S4 towards Eisenstadt, leave the S4 at Wiener Neustadt South and turn left onto Günser Straße. Follow the signs to Bad Erlach.

From Graz via the A2, leave the motorway at the Seebenstein exit and continue on the B54. Follow the signs to Bad Erlach.

Take the train via Wiener Neustadt to Bad Erlach station.

More information can be found at www.öbb.at

How about a relaxing visit and overnight stay at the Therme Spa Hotel Linsberg Asia before the hike? Beer lovers can sample the beer selection from Wolfsbräu in Thernberg.