Waldviertel
Forests, raised bogs, rivers and ponds

The Waldviertel region in Lower Austria is known for its diverse landscape and untouched nature. It makes a popular summer destination for nature lovers and families seeking a break from the busy and hot city.

With its dense forests, meadows and fields, streams, rivers and ponds, the region offers adventurous and romantic nature experiences, including hiking and cycling, horse riding and golfing. Heathland landscapes, raised bogs and the mysterious "Wobbly Stones" are among Waldviertel's highlights. Thanks to its location on a granite plateau, the region experiences warm days and pleasantly cool nights in summer.

The Waldviertel has numerous hiking trails. A must-experience is the Ysper Gorge, where the river of the same name winds its way along spectacular cliffs and waterfalls, lined with well-secured paths and bridges. The region also has attractive activity options for families and adventure seekers.

Cycling in Waldviertel offers the perfect mix of sport and nature, taking you through meadows and forests and along the water:

• The Monastery Cycle Path connects the three monasteries and abbeys of Geras, Pernegg and Altenburg. It's a day tour with both cultural highlights and a varied landscape.

• The Thaya-Taffa-Wild circular cycle route leads along roads with little traffic, past romantic gorges of the Taffa and Thaya rivers and through wide forests.

• The Kamp-Thaya-March cycle route is one of Austria's most beautiful tours, leading 400 km along the rivers Kamp, Thaya and March. There are both easy and challenging sections.

• The Iron Curtain Trail is 200 km long and you'll cycle along the former Iron Curtain, through the Waldviertel and Weinviertel region.

The Waldviertel region is located in the north-westernmost part of Lower Austria. The Danube forms the southern border and the state border with the Czech Republic the northern one.

Some of the most beautiful places known for their cultural, natural and culinary highlights include:

• Zwettl: famous for its monasteries and the picturesque landscape along the Kamp river.

• Gmünd: postcard-perfect historical centre and close to various nature reserves.

• Raabs an der Thaya: known for its scenic beauty and outdoor activities along the river Thaya.

• Hardegg: Austria's smallest town sits amidst forests and offers a lot of history.

• Drosendorf: scores with a well-preserved medieval town wall and access to the picturesque Thaya valley.

• Heidenreichstein: known for its castle and natural moorland.

• Litschau: Austria's northernmost town and the starting point of many hiking trails.

• Gars am Kamp: popular for its healing climate and historic ruins.

• Grafenegg: most famous for Grafenegg Castle with its futuristic open-air park stage and the modern concert hall.

The wobbly stones in the Waldviertel region have fascinated visitors for centuries and are considered natural wonders. They often rest on small surfaces and can easily sway or wobble. Their formation goes back millions of years.

Waldviertel sits on a granite plateau that once formed the foundation of a high mountain range in Central Europe. When the mountains were eroded, the granite rock broke into rectangular blocks. Millions of years later, as erosion and seas shaped the land, the stone blocks came to the surface. Water, weathering and chemical processes created rounded-edged blocks that look like stacked pillows. Despite many scientific theories, the exact formation process remains a mystery. Stories and legends provide their own explanations and make the wobbly stones a mystical natural attraction of Waldviertel.