Waldviertel
Natural forests, raised bogs, rivers and ponds

The Waldviertel in Lower Austria is known for its diverse landscape and pristine nature. Nature lovers and families enjoy a summer retreat in Austria's northernmost region - a popular retreat from the urban heat.

Characterized by dense forests, meadows and fields, streams, rivers and ponds, the Waldviertel offers wild and romantic nature experiences while hiking and cycling, horse riding and golfing. Heath landscapes, raised bogs and the mysterious "Wackelsteine" are the highlights of the Waldviertel. Thanks to its location on a granite plateau, the Waldviertel experiences warm days and pleasantly cool nights in summer.

The Waldviertel offers numerous hiking trails. One highlight is the Ysper Gorge, where the Great Ysper flows along spectacular cliffs and waterfalls, lined with well-secured paths and bridges. There are also attractive offers for families and adventure seekers with numerous outdoor activities.

Cycling in the Waldviertel offers the perfect mix of sport and nature on varied routes and cycle paths through meadows and forests:

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

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

• The Kamp-Thaya-March cycle route is one of Austria's most beautiful cycle paths and leads over 400 kilometers along the rivers Kamp, Thaya and March with both easy and challenging sections.

• The Iron Curtain Trail leads 200 kilometers through the Waldviertel and Weinviertel, along the former Iron Curtain.

The Waldviertel is located in the north-westernmost region of Lower Austria. The Danube forms the southern border, while the state border with the Czech Republic lies to the north.

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

• Zwettlfamous for its monastic history and the picturesque landscape along the Kamp river.

• Gmünd: Has historical significance and is close to various nature reserves.

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

• Hardeggaustria's smallest town offers a lot of history and forest all around.

• Drosendorf: Offers a well-preserved medieval town wall and access to the idyllic Thaya valley.

• Heidenreichstein: Known for its castle and natural moorland.

• Litschau: Extensive hiking trails start from Austria's northernmost town.

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

• Grafenegggrafenegg : The center is Grafenegg Castle with cultural features such as the futuristic open-air stage in the landscape park and the modern concert hall.

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

The Waldviertel lies 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 underground into rectangular blocks. Millions of years later, as erosion and seas shaped the land, the stone blocks came to the surface. Penetrating water and further weathering rounded off the edges and brought the stones - so-called "remnants" - to the surface. The interaction of physical and chemical processes creates rounded-edged blocks that look like stacked pillows. Despite many scientific theories, the exact formation remains a mystery. Stories and legends provide their own explanations and make the wobble stones a mystical natural monument of the Waldviertel.