Thayatal.pdf

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Hiking guide
Hiking in the
National park
walking-time: 3 hrs
The Thaya River broke into the geological formations
of the Waldviertel 150 metres deep. Along the river,
a tight net of the various habitats can be found:
meadows, forests, dry grassland and rocks provide
a habitat for numerous animals and plants such as
eagle-owl, black stork, green lizard, burning bush or
variegated iris.
Its inaccessible situation and its bordering the
Czech Republic spared the valley from human inter-
ference. Thus, one of the most beautiful European
break-through valleys could be preserved in its
naturalness. The area of the national park is also
fascinating because of the castles and ruins, and
the stories, which are woven around it. On marked
hiking tracks, you will have the opportunity to
experience the particularities of the Thayatal.
It stretches along the Thaya River to the
Umlaufberg ("surrounding mountain"), one of the
most impressive elements of the national park and
leads through unspoilt countryside and charming
landscapes. However, the track presents some
difficult places. One should be fit and wear solid
shoes. The walk may be started either in Hardegg
or in Merkersdorf. On the way back, the route partly
follows public roads.
The walk starts at the Thaya
bridge in Hardegg. After the
steep climb over the
Gabrielensteig, the way gets
easier again. Now and then,
there is an outlook on the
Thaya River. In a clearing, the
"Einsiedlerweg 2" branches
off.
The actual Thayatal path goes
downhill again now. Directly
beside the Thaya, it is pleasantly cool even in the
middle of summer. The very rare yew-trees grow
here in places. The path forks at the first fishing
huts. On the right, uphill, it carries on to the Über-
stieg. Fascinating, how the narrow river bends build
two opposing Umlaufberge. On the Czech side,
only approx. 1.3 kilometres upstream, the Neuhäusl
ruin can be seen.
The way around the Umlaufberg is easier (approx.
1 hr walking-time). Here the meadows and woods
alternate and the murmur of the Thaya follows the
walker. However, there is limited access to this path
in the summer.
Below the Überstieg the paths meet again. At the
mouth of the Kaja River, the Neuhäusl ruin, now
downstream, can be seen again. In the Kaja moat,
one reaches the outer limit of the national park.
From there, the "Weitwanderweg 630" track leads
to Retz and a forest road takes you to Merkersdorf,
passed the Kaja ruin (alternative option: track 5).
On guided tours around the National Park, you will
be able to learn about hidden secrets and gather
information on nature and habitats.
In the National Park Centre you will find information
on the National Park.
The exhibition
NaturGeschichten - ThayaTales
provides surprising insights into the origin of the
valley.
walking-time: 2.5 hrs
walking-time:
1.5 hrs
From the clock tower in Hardegg, on the climb up
to the castle, a ledge sticking out way into the
suburbs attracts attention in the southwest, the
Regina rock. Up there and further on to the
Maxplateau (transmitter of the ORF - the Austrian
radio and television network) leads the "Hardegger
Rundwanderweg" (the track around Hardegg).
To the left of the clock tower, a footpath goes down
into the valley to Fugnitz bridge and then on to the
hiking track through a dead-end on the right. High
above the Fugnitz, it leads directly to the bottom of
the Regina rock. The hard limestone silicate
formation stood firm when the Fugnitz shaped the
valley basin.
At the next fork, the path carries on straight ahead
to the Regina rock with a wonderful view on the
suburbs and the castle of Hardegg (do not climb
on the ramps, dangerous precipice!). Back to the
fork, it turns right through an oak and hornbeam
From the Thaya bridge onwards, the path is identical
with the "Thayatalweg 1" at first. It is only on the
plateau that the "Einsiedlerweg" branches off to the
left.
Two vantage points leave a lasting impression of the
Thayatal. The path leads through a cutting to the
Bärenmühle meadow and ends at a rock face where
a brick rock dwelling
can be seen at a height
of approx. 5 metres.
A legend says that a
hermit lived there at the
time of the crusades
who helped the people
of Hardegg to find a
silver mine.
On the way back, the
path leads uphill
directly through the
cutting, crosses the
"Thayatalweg 1" path
and at the National
Park Centre, reaches the
country road
Merkersdorf-Hardegg.
About 200 metres
further on, the
Kirchensteig starts on
the right in a slight turn
to the left. This path
leads to Hardegg.
forest to the Maxplateau. The underwood consists
in yellow Cornelian cherry, blackthorn and privet.
The high elevation in the vicinity of the town is
typical of the Thayatal.
The steep cliffs towards the East and the South
shelter heat-loving plants which also stand
droughts and which are not at all typical of the
Waldviertel region. Insects find here good living
conditions. The western and northern slopes carry a
totally different flora. Red beeches, ashes, birches,
lime- and maple trees love the shadier, humid slopes.
The way back to the town goes either over an easy
forest road or can be cut short across the steep
Christbaumsteig, which branches off from the
Maxplateau. Both paths meet again at the old
swimming place and lead back to the town.
walking-time: 2.5 hrs
For a short while, one walks from Merkersdorf
towards the Kaja Ruin, then opposite the children's
playground the path turns left uphill. A cutting
leads through a small wood and merges into the
Merkersdorfer field. A well-built field track leads
directly to the Schwarzwald, where the National
Park Thayatal begins.
The path turns slowly into a mountain track. The
dark old spruces clear up, oaks and hornbeams
dominate the forest.
Before the path goes downhill, a bench invites you
to a rest. From here, you have a wonderful view of
the Thayatal.
Now the mountain track winds down towards the
Thaya in a steep zig zag. Solid shoes are here abso-
lutely essential! In spring, the slope is covered in
liverworts and wild garlic exudes its distinct smell.
Every so often the Thaya glistens through the trees.
A last steep passage takes you down to the
"Thayatalweg 1" which leads to Merkersdorf on the
right. Shortly after, the path forks. From here, just
follow the signs of the "Thayatalweg 1".
walking-time: 40 mns
This track is ideal for a short but impressive hike
on an easily accessible path.
walking-time: 30 mns
The track leads past the Kaja Ruin into the Kaja
River valley. Rare crabs live in the Kaja River and the
otter is out looking for food. At the first bridge, the
track forks off the forest road to the left and runs
along the Merkersdorf stream. The ruin can now be
seen from behind. After two more bridge crossings,
you reach a meadow, behind which you will find the
Kaja car park again.
The track starts at the edge of the forest opposite
the National Park Centre and follows at first the
Einsiedlerweg-Kirchensteig (2). After a short while,
the path splits. To the right the Hennerweg
continues past old oaks. After approx. 10 mns
walking-time, one reaches a forest road, which
leads to the vantage point. From there, you have a
beautiful view of the town Hardegg and the river
bands of the Thaya with its various habitats. Then
a short walk back to the forest road that will lead
you to the edge of the forest. Over a farm track,
you get back to the National Park Centre.
Hiking trails in Austria
Thayatalweg 1
Einsiedlerweg 2
Hardegger
xx
Rundwanderweg 3
Visitors centre
“Iron Curtain”
Merkersdorferxxx
Rundwanderweg 4
Kajaweg 5
Hennerweg 6
Cross-border
hiking trails
Hardegger Warte A
Eisleitenwerg B
Neuhäuslweg C
Symbols
Vantage point
Place of interest
Visitors centre
National Park Centre
National park
boundaries
National Park Centre
approx.
© BEV-2005, printed with
the approval of BEV -
Bundesamtes für Eich- und
Vermessungswesen in Wien,
ZL. EB 2005/00140

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