Details for: Ritterweg Kollmitz Ruin
Brief descriptionThe Thaya Valley is full of small and large treasures. The quiet land on the border can do both: inspire and soothe. It opens paths to yourself – and to the neighbors. It is a microcosm full of beauty. After just a few hours, you believe you have landed in another, better world! And the best way to experience this – on foot! Following the traces of Bohemian-Austrian history, one of the most beautiful routes leads to the Kollmitz ruin.
A wonderful hike in the midst of the charming Thaya Valley. The hike partially follows the Thaya along natural paths and boardwalks, through idyllic villages to the Kollmitz ruin, located about 4 km southeast of Raabs. This is probably one of the most beautiful and impressive castle ruins in the Waldviertel. It rises on a steep rock in a bend of the Thaya. The towers are accessible, a small exhibition as well as a snack station in fine weather complete the hiking excursion. Many viewpoints to the castle and the town of Raabs bring the wild beauty of the Thaya Valley closer to the hiker!
Starting point of the tourRaabs / Thaya - Main Square
Destination point of the tourRaabs / Thaya - Main Square
Route description Ritterweg Kollmitz Ruin
Starting at the town hall, walk along the Kollmitzsteig towards the post office into the Thaya Valley. Cross the Kaumbach, pass the “Jungfernstein” and climb the Wirtleiten. At the solitary oak tree, turn right – between the fields to the trail – first turn right and after a few meters then left – immediately after, turn left again, cross the ditch, then the route gently climbs to a trail and turns right. Soon after, you pass through the Bohemian Wall and reach the Kollmitz ruin, the impressive destination of the hike. The ruin, built on a steep rock in a bend of the Thaya, is one of the mightiest rock castles in the Waldviertel. In the village of Kollmitzgraben, cross the Thaya bridge and pass the former power plant, always walking gently uphill through the forest. On the hill after a few hundred meters, it is worth looking back once more to enjoy the beautiful view of the ruin. The hike passes through the idyllic village of Sauggern and turns right before the end of the village – at the edge of the forest turn left, cross the Seebsbach on a boardwalk – always uphill into the village of Lindau. Immediately after, turn right onto the agricultural path and continue until you reach a hill that offers a wonderful view of Raabs and the surroundings. Downhill, the path leads over the warehouse into Hamerling Street - turning left over the Thaya footbridge back to the Kollmitzsteig and to Raabs, the starting point.
From Vienna: A22 Stockerau - B2/E49 - to Raabs (112 km)
From St. Pölten: S33 Krems - B35 Hadersdorf - B34 Horn - Raabs (98 km)
From Salzburg: A1 to Linz - A7 to Unterweitersdorf - on the S10 to the Sandl exit - via B38 to Raabs (273 km)
ParkingPublic parking below the castle (near the center)
Vienna - Franz Josef Railway to Göpfritz (or with the Wieselbus from St. Pölten) - ÖBB bus to Raabs (Mon - Fri, weekdays)
Vienna, Praterstern - ÖBB bus to Raabs (Mon - Fri, weekdays)
Light hiking/trekking shoes recommended. Weather-related sun/rain protection!
The impressive destination of the hike is the Kollmitz ruin.
As a souvenir of your hike on the Ritterweg Kollmitz ruin in the Waldviertel, you can get a hiking badge of the Kollmitz ruin at the Martina Rieder snack station.
Hiking badges are round plaques designed and inscribed by wood burning, which serve as souvenirs and at the same time as awards for outstanding achievements. Diligent hiking badge collectors are rewarded with a free premium hiking badge. More information can be found at www.wandermarken.at.
