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Diversity Between Waldviertel and Mühlviertel
The Austrian part of these highlands is made up of the expansive forests and plains of the Waldviertel and the old hilly landscape of the Mühlviertel.
The region above Manhartsberg has a rather dry and rough climate and is dominated by agriculture, forestry and fish farming. Granite, an intrusive rock, is ubiquitous here. The Blockheide Nature Park near Gmünd is famous for its huge rocking stones (boulders so finely poised upon their foundation that they can be moved slightly backward and forward with little force). Another typical feature of the Waldviertel is its high lying moors. The Heidenreichstein Moor boasts a 2.5 kilometer long wooden trail which allows visitors to explore this beautiful landscape.
Scenic Diversity in Bandlkramerland
The pristine landscape between Nebelstein (1017m) in the North and Peilstein (1061m) in the South makes for great hiking, cycling and skiing. There are beautiful trails along the rivers Krems, Ysper and Kamp – with three impressive reservoir power stations –, and guided tours are offered in the Thayatal-Dobersberg in nature park. There are many lakes and ponds which attract fishing aficionados; spa facilities abound for wellness buffs (Harbach Moor Bath, Therme Laa Thermal Baths, Bad Großpertholz and Gars am Kamp).
The museums along the “Textile Route” in Groß-Siegharts, Waidhofen/Thaya and Weitra are reminiscent of the Waldviertel’s textile history. The area’s nickname “Bandlkramerland” (Ribbon Dealer Land) comes from the itinerant textile merchants which once used to travel the country. Cultural attractions include the monasteries and convents in Zwettl, Altenburg and Geras, Heidenreichstein Castle and the castles in Weitra, Rosenau, Ottenstein and Rosenburg.
Between Danube and Böhmerwald
Stately farmhouses, impressive fortresses and splendid palaces dot the Mühlviertel which is named after its main river, the Mühl, and extends from the Strudengau at the Danube in the South to Plöckenstein (1379m) in the North. Characteristic for the region are the river valleys with their deep gorges at the Danube as well as the agricultural plains which, in parts, are considered mountain farming regions due to their altitude (for instance near Rohrbach or Freistadt).
In the past the region was strongly influenced by the salt and iron trade between Upper Austria and Bohemia. Europe’s first horse-drawn train was built between Linz and Budweis in 1832. Today castles and castle ruins like Clam (plays, concerts), Piberstein (culture center) and Haichenbach (vista point) stand as silent witnesses to the past.
Romantic Mühlviertel Journey
Visitors await beautiful panorama trails, dozens of museums, national parks and demonstration factories presenting old handicrafts such as weaving, blue printing and candle making. Well worth a visit are the Premonstratensian abbey dating from 1218 and the Wilhering Cistercian abbey founded in 1146. Lovers of glass painting should go to Sandl or to Freistadt where the Mühlviertler Heimathaus boasts Austria’s largest glass painting collection. The over 500-year old winged altar designed by an unknown master in the parish church of Kefermarkt attracts both pilgrims and art lovers.
The region above Manhartsberg has a rather dry and rough climate and is dominated by agriculture, forestry and fish farming. Granite, an intrusive rock, is ubiquitous here. The Blockheide Nature Park near Gmünd is famous for its huge rocking stones (boulders so finely poised upon their foundation that they can be moved slightly backward and forward with little force). Another typical feature of the Waldviertel is its high lying moors. The Heidenreichstein Moor boasts a 2.5 kilometer long wooden trail which allows visitors to explore this beautiful landscape.
Scenic Diversity in Bandlkramerland
The pristine landscape between Nebelstein (1017m) in the North and Peilstein (1061m) in the South makes for great hiking, cycling and skiing. There are beautiful trails along the rivers Krems, Ysper and Kamp – with three impressive reservoir power stations –, and guided tours are offered in the Thayatal-Dobersberg in nature park. There are many lakes and ponds which attract fishing aficionados; spa facilities abound for wellness buffs (Harbach Moor Bath, Therme Laa Thermal Baths, Bad Großpertholz and Gars am Kamp).
The museums along the “Textile Route” in Groß-Siegharts, Waidhofen/Thaya and Weitra are reminiscent of the Waldviertel’s textile history. The area’s nickname “Bandlkramerland” (Ribbon Dealer Land) comes from the itinerant textile merchants which once used to travel the country. Cultural attractions include the monasteries and convents in Zwettl, Altenburg and Geras, Heidenreichstein Castle and the castles in Weitra, Rosenau, Ottenstein and Rosenburg.
Between Danube and Böhmerwald
Stately farmhouses, impressive fortresses and splendid palaces dot the Mühlviertel which is named after its main river, the Mühl, and extends from the Strudengau at the Danube in the South to Plöckenstein (1379m) in the North. Characteristic for the region are the river valleys with their deep gorges at the Danube as well as the agricultural plains which, in parts, are considered mountain farming regions due to their altitude (for instance near Rohrbach or Freistadt).
In the past the region was strongly influenced by the salt and iron trade between Upper Austria and Bohemia. Europe’s first horse-drawn train was built between Linz and Budweis in 1832. Today castles and castle ruins like Clam (plays, concerts), Piberstein (culture center) and Haichenbach (vista point) stand as silent witnesses to the past.
Romantic Mühlviertel Journey
Visitors await beautiful panorama trails, dozens of museums, national parks and demonstration factories presenting old handicrafts such as weaving, blue printing and candle making. Well worth a visit are the Premonstratensian abbey dating from 1218 and the Wilhering Cistercian abbey founded in 1146. Lovers of glass painting should go to Sandl or to Freistadt where the Mühlviertler Heimathaus boasts Austria’s largest glass painting collection. The over 500-year old winged altar designed by an unknown master in the parish church of Kefermarkt attracts both pilgrims and art lovers.
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