Winter hike on the Ernst Ferstl Thought Path

©Wiener Alpen in Niederösterreich - Bad Schönau

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 4,59 km
Duration: :hour h
Ascent: 53 m elevation gain
Descent: 7 m elevation gain

The Thought Path with quotes from the Zöbern author Ernst Ferstl is accessible all year round.

Starting point of the tour: Village square Bad Schönau
Tour destination: Museum Village Krumbach

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 4,59 km
Duration: :hour h
Ascent: 53 m elevation gain
Descent: 7 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
2/6
Overall experience:
6/6
Scenery:
6/6

Lowest point462 m
Highest point515 m

With refreshment stops
Accessibility by train and bus
Suitable for families and children
Barrier-free

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Description

"There is no path that leads in only one direction." Along the Thought Path you will find panels with short texts by the author Ernst Ferstl, inviting you to pause and reflect.

Under the direction of OSR Director Friedrich Geiderer, the path was opened in 2008 as a project of the HS Krumbach and the polytechnic school. Along the Zöbernbach, you walk on a paved promenade within one hour from the village centre in Bad Schönau to Krumbach. The destination is the museum village in Krumbach, where various wooden and masonry works from the 16th and 17th centuries are exhibited. For example, an exhibition with multimedia guide was set up in the former civic hospital. Those who want to refresh themselves after the hike can do so at the Gasthof Heissenberger and the Krumbacherhof. At the beginning of the hike in Bad Schönau, a visit to the Sconarium, an interactive exhibition about the healing spring, and a detour to the well-known inn Triad beyond the local boundaries are also possible. The creative and high-quality cuisine at Triad has already been awarded several times by Gault Millau and Falstaff – table reservations recommended.

The path is usually cleared in winter and thus accessible all year round and also passable by bike – still, caution is required for ice and snowdrifts!

Equipment Always take suitable maps with you. Wear sturdy shoes adapted to the route, take sun and rain protection as well as water and a snack. Take your mobile phone with you and save the mountain rescue emergency number: 140Don't forget headgear and gloves, in any case avoid hypothermia!
Route description In Bad Schönau the path starts at the village square in front of the municipal office. The "Thought Path" initially leads us along the bike path on the Zöbernbach to the sawmill and then further along the old road to the museum village in Krumbach.
Parking Parking lot at the entrance to the municipality, opposite Hotel Geier.
Getting there From Vienna: Take the South Motorway A2, exit at Krumbach. At exit 76-Krumbach, drive towards Krumbach/Hungary and continue via the Krumbach junction onto the B55. Turn right in Bad Schönau onto Hauptstraße. Turn right onto Kurhausstraße.From Graz: Take the South Motorway A2, exit at Aspang-Zöbern. Turn right onto L137. Follow the road. Turn right onto Kirchschlager Str./B55. Turn right in Bad Schönau onto Hauptstraße. Turn right onto Kurhausstraße.
Public transport More information can be found at www.oebb.at and www.vor.at
Editor’s tip Combine your hike with a stay in Krumbach or Bad Schönau. The Krumbacherhof can be booked directly online. In Bad Schönau, the Hotel Weber is recommended!Sightseeing:Sconarium, Bad SchönauDefensive Church, Bad SchönauSpa Park, Bad SchönauMuseum Village KrumbachFairy Path KrumbachEderer's Alpaca FarmRefreshments:VitalZeit Hotel and Restaurant Weber, Bad Schönau*(sugar-free cuisine)Hotel Restaurant Geier, Bad Schönau*Triad, Krumbach*Krumbacherhof*Gasthof Heissenberger*Overnight stay possible

Recommended period

Current weather in Bad Schönau

2° to 8°

Today, 12.02.2026

Light rain

Wind speed1,5 km/h

2° to 9°

Tomorrow, 13.02.2026

Cloudy

Wind speed1,3 km/h

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

Opening hours: Mon - Thu 08:30 - 16:00 / Fri 08:30 - 13:00

Experience region Bucklige Welt south, www.buckligewelt.info, +43 / 676 / 3509806

Tourism information Bad Schönau, www.badschoenau.at, +43 / 2646 / 8284

Market town Krumbach, www.krumbach-noe.at +43 / 02647 / 42238