You already know that in addition to the Great Bärentrail and the Small Bärentrail, there are also the Teddybärentrails. These are shorter, family-friendly, designed in loops, and intended for children with parents, but also for those who prefer a shorter hike.
Feature: Varied (village, meadow, forest) and suitable for strollers (off-road capable) on the “Altiplano” with the option to visit the Manada de Sana alpaca farm.
Starting point of the tour
Parking lot Gasthof Einfalt, Kinzenschlag 11, 3920 Groß Gerungs
Destination point of the tour
Parking lot Gasthof Einfalt, Kinzenschlag 11, 3920 Groß Gerungs
Route description Teddybärentrail Klein Wetzles - Groß Gerungs themed trail Altiplano & alpacas
You start at the Gasthof Einfalt in 3920 Kinzenschlag 11 (parking lot at the large cross-country skiing sign) and head uphill. Soon you turn right onto the hiking path. This leads you to the small village of Klein Wetzles. You pass the village chapel and walk along a few houses downhill to the left turnoff. Then you leave the village “at the back” and again have sand and meadow under your feet and immediately reach the height for a nice view. Open meadows and fields spread out in front of you and forest ridges appear one after another. At the Hackl-Haus the path makes a sharp turn – please stay on the marked trail. Wander along the farm road to the sign “To the Alpaca Farm.” The short path to the farm is only 270 meters long. Maybe you already booked an alpaca hike the day before? If not, these few meters are definitely worth it because you can also see the alpacas from outside and, if you’re lucky, even the red deer. The animals are fenced in for your and their protection. After your alpaca adventure, you stroll back along the short side path, cross the road, and follow the Teddybärentrail signs into the forest again. The walk is leisurely along pine and spruce forests, rocks, and hills. Blueberry bushes are very typical here: in midsummer, the berries are ripe for tasting. You will encounter many large and very large granite boulders covered with juicy green, soft moss – almost as fluffy as the fleece of the alpacas. The bear paw signs lead you in a circular route back to Gasthof Einfalt.
Directions
From Vienna: approx. 130 km, about 1 hr 40 mins: A22 Stockerau, S5 to Krems, B37 to Rastenfeld, B38 Bohemian Forest federal highway to Zwettl and further to Groß Gerungs, in Groß Gerungs turn left onto B119 towards Arbesbach, after Klein Gundholz turn right towards Kinzenschlag/Klein Wetzles.
From Linz: approx. 100 km, S10 towards Freistadt, B38 Bohemian Forest federal highway to Groß Gerungs, in the middle of Groß Gerungs turn right onto B119 towards Arbesbach, after Klein Gundholz turn right towards Kinzenschlag/Klein Wetzles.
Parking
Free parking at Gasthof Einfalt
Bus 329
Bärentrail public transport guide online at www.baerentrail.at/oeffi-guide. You can plan your route with the VOR route planner: www.anachb.vor.at. Or simply call a Bärentrail taxi: www.baerentrail.at/baerentrail-taxis/
Author's tip
Alpaca – warning, highly addictive! There are 30 alpacas living on the Altiplano. You pass the Manada de Sana alpaca farm (that is Spanish and means “healthy herd”) here. It gets very cuddly! Once you’ve touched an alpaca, you’ll never forget that fluffy feeling on your skin.
A visit to the animal protection project BÄRENWALD Arbesbach can be easily combined with this short hike as a day trip. Or you can visit one of the power places at www.kraftarena.at. Groß Gerungs is the terminus station of the www.waldviertelbahn.at, so you can also combine the Teddybärentrail with a narrow-gauge train ride.
If you want to stop at Gasthof Einfalt, make sure it is open. Guided tours at the alpaca farm are by telephone appointment, available daily. When you start, take the Teddybärentrail folder including map with you. You can find it, as well as other Bärentrail materials, right at the starting sign at the parking lot. Download available at: www.baerentrail.at/teddybaerentrails.
