Mystical site at Guttenberg with rock formations (sacrifice stones) and a good viewpoint on the Walpurgisweg in Grafenschlag.
Description
Grafenschlag is located at an average altitude of 800 m above sea level. The transition from the gneiss to the granite zone is clearly visible in the landscape. Special features include the legendary Guttenberg with its mighty rock walls, the idyllic landscape pond, the Martinskirche and the pillory. The Grafenschlag wind park with now six wind turbines is visible from afar.
Starting point of the tour
Grafenschlag
Destination point of the tour
Grafenschlag
Route description Walpurgisweg
The Walpurgisweg begins at the market square by the church. You take the path eastwards into the narrow alley by house no. 7. After the playground, the path leads a short way along the sidewalk to the town sign. There you take the Güterweg on the right, which leads down to the Haushof. At the display panel, which commemorates the farmer's uprising of 1597, you continue into the forest on the right. At the junction in the forest, go straight on to the state road, which you walk along for a short stretch before turning right along the road towards Bromberg. You then pass the landscape pond – an experience point that invites you to rest. Continue hiking east towards the Teichhof, from there take the Güterweg on the right, which leads to the Dachlhof. Here you are already in the granite zone. Pass the Dachlhof on the right, at the next junction take the left path and shortly afterwards turn right through the romantic birch grove to the main attraction of the hike, the Guttenberg. It is the highest point in this area and on clear days the climb is rewarded with a magnificent view over the whole Waldviertel as far as the Ötscher, Schneeberg and the Rax. Gigantically layered granite blocks with bizarre shapes and eroded basins are found at the summit of the Guttenberg – in some the water never dries up. Witches are said to prepare their magic potions in the stone basins on Walpurgis Night (May 1). The natural experience is by no means spooky but fascinating and magnificent. Back on the Güterweg, follow the road sharply to the right towards Kleinnondorf. Passing the Alpakahof Hahn, turn left at the next Güterweg towards Frauenau forest, which you follow along the edge of the forest for some time. At the second junction, take the path on the right to the sports ground. From here you can already see the starting point at the church in Grafenschlag.
Directions
Coming from St. Pölten take S33 to Krems, continue on B37, turn left towards Reittern after Gföhl, pass through Lichtenau im Waldviertel, Grainbrunn and Lugendorf to Grafenschlag.
Coming from Vienna take A22 and S5 to Krems, continue on B37, turn left towards Reittern after Gföhl, pass through Lichtenau im Waldviertel, Grainbrunn and Lugendorf to Grafenschlag.
Coming from the west take A1 to Linz, then A7 and B124 to Ritterkamp, pass Roiten on B36, continue on B36 to Grafenschlag.
Author's tip
Right at the beginning or also at the end of your hike, the new themed trail "Lost Crafts" can be explored in the town center, the main square in Grafenschlag, which presents interesting facts about now extinct professions on display panels. Furthermore, fans of direct farm marketing will find some specialties a bit off the Walpurgisweg – but easy to reach – namely in the Hausmühle and the Marktmühle, as well as in the self-service shop called Schmankerl Hittn, where a community of many directly marketing businesses offers their products.
