This hiking route impresses with its beauty and the extensive information on the topic of moors. Take your time and enjoy the fascinating route through this impressive landscape.
Description
Founded in 1989, the nature park is a nature reserve, Natura 2000, and Ramsar protected area. On this short but very interesting circular route, you learn everything essential about the moor ecosystem and its formation through clear display boards; you can also download a suitable audio guide for free. A short detour to the natural monument "Hanging Stone", a huge granite resting stone, is also possible on this route. On the Prügelsteg, which leads over the raised bog, you can discover upon closer inspection various sphagnum mosses, cranberries, carnivorous plants such as the round-leaved sundew and much more. Some very impressive animals, like rare dragonflies, banded hunting spiders, and, with luck, one of the many white-tailed eagles living here in large numbers, can be encountered.
Starting point of the tour
Nature park center
Destination point of the tour
Nature park center
Route description Moor educational trail of the Naturpark Heidenreichsteiner Moor
From the nature park center, a roughly 300-meter-long path leads to the start of the circular route. The first part of the route deals with the formation of the moors. Upon reaching the Prügelsteg, you get an overview of the animal and plant species of this ecosystem. Following the forest road southwards, in case of a cloudburst, you arrive at the shelter hut, where you can look over the bird protection area "Winklauerteich." After this halfway point, the route leads back north through the high forest; the following information boards present topics like moor protection and climate relevance. At the end of this circular route, it is 300 meters back to the nature park center.
Directions
From Vienna – A22 – exit Stockerau North – B4 to Horn – B2 to Göpfritz – approx. 2 km after the town (roundabout) onto the B5 – Waidhofen/Thaya – after bypass (roundabout) continue straight – approx. 1 km after the village Steinbruckhäuser turn left to the nature park
From Linz – via A7 and B310 to Freistadt – on B38 to Karlstift – B41 to Gmünd – further to Schrems – on L30 to Heidenreichstein – through the town (towards Waidhofen/Thaya) – at the town's end right to the nature park (opposite the turnoff to Motten)
Parking
Spacious parking lot with car and bus parking options, additionally bike racks, Ella e-charging station, bus turnaround area
From Linz by bus (line 310) to Freistadt Böhmertor – (line 1332) further to Gmünd until the station stop – (line WA40) to Heidenreichstein
By Franz Josefs train from Vienna to Gmünd – by postbus to Heidenreichstein
By bus (line 1028) from Vienna via Waidhofen/Thaya to Heidenreichstein
By bus or train from St. Pölten to Waidhofen/Thaya – then by postbus to Heidenreichstein
Author's tip
You can enjoy homemade pastries on the sun terrace of the nature park center!
