In order to ensure pleasant trouble-free hikes, the municipalities cooperate with Waldviertel Tourism in implementing the uniform concept and lay-out of the hiking routes in Lower Austria. Large sections of the Waldviertel have already been laid out with local routes which are, for the most part, self-contained circular trails.

Boards marking the starting points are centrally positioned and therefore easily found. They provide an overview of the routes beginning at that particular point, of the infrastructure of the municipality as well as of leisure and eating facilities. Most importantly, however, the boards give information concerning distance, walking time, altitude profile and various highlights along the way plus detailed descriptions of the routes.

Car parking and shopping facilities can be found at (almost all) starting points.

These are to be found both at the starting points and at important junctions. They include the number and the name of the route and, in the case of special thematic trails, a special symbol. In addition, information is provided about the section to follow and about any special highlights along the way. Recommended walking time and distance are also given.

Furthermore, you will find specially marked “pilgrimage routes“ (for example, Maria Taferl, the Way of St James) or regional long-distance hiking routes marked with symbols.

Regional, national and international long-distance hiking routes are maintained by the alpine associations (Austrian Alpine Club, Tourist Club, Nature-lovers Club etc) and are also part of the network of hiking routes in the Waldviertel. Further information can be found in the category “Weitwandern” (long-distance hiking) which includes links to the bodies responsible for maintaining the routes.

The hiking trail concept has already been implemented in the following municipalities:

Southern Waldviertel hiking region, 11 municipalities in the Ysper-Weiten Valley: Nöchling, St. Oswald, Yspertal, Hofamt Priel, Münichreith-Laimbach, Gutenbrunn, Pöggstall, Weiten, Raxendorf und Leiben.

Albrechtsberg, Altmelon, Allentsteig, Arbesbach, Bärnkopf, Echsenbach, Gföhl, Göpfritz/Wild, ‚Grafenschlag, Groß Gerungs, Großgöttfritz, Gutenbrunn, Jaidhof, Kirchschlag, Kottes, Krumau/Kamp, Langschlag, Lichtenau, Martinsberg, Neupölla, Ottenschlag, Rappottenstein, Rastenfeld, Sallingberg, Schönbach, Schwarzenau, Schweiggers, St. Leonhard/Hornerwald, Traunstein, Waldhausen, Windigsteig, Zwettl.

The municipalities of the Thaya and Kamp Valleys are expected to open their trail network in 2010!

For general information or for the specific planning of tours, we would recommend consulting our top-quality maps with detailed descriptions of routes, detailed maps and all relevant and important information.