In the north, gentle rolling hills with thousands of cider pear trees; further south, mountains rising to almost 2,000 metres: the Mostviertel region spans everything from river cycle paths and natural lakes to deep gorges around the Ötscher.
The region is at its most pristine in the Dürrenstein-Lassingtal wilderness area, home to the largest contiguous primeval forest in Central Europe, the Rothwald. Strictly protected and undisturbed by humans, a perfectly balanced ecosystem has been able to develop here. You can find out what this means and why it is so important to allow more wilderness on guided excursions and at the Haus der Wildnis (House of Wilderness).
Water and mountains meet at Lunzer See, a genuine natural lake: located directly on the shore, surrounded by peaks, a location that feels right in every season. In summer, the lake shimmers emerald green, the lido and small bays invite you to swim and go boating, and culture awaits you on the floating lake stage at the "wellenklaenge" festival.
Hiking trails around the lake and into the Dürrenstein-Lassingtal wilderness area lead to places with spectacular views. The protected wilderness in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site is open to visitors, while an interactive exhibition in the House of Wilderness builds a bridge to the wilderness area.
The Rothwald primeval forest is the largest remaining primeval forest in the Alpine arc.
2 | River cycle paths and bathing spots
The section of the Ybbstal Cycle Path from Waidhofen an der Ybbs to Lunz am See is considered one of the most beautiful cycle routes in Lower Austria. The path runs for around 55 kilometres along the sometimes gentle, sometimes bubbling river. The Radtramper bus and the Ybbstal cycle taxi are available for transport back to the starting point.
If you want to cycle further, you can ride the other stages of the Ybbstal Cycle Path and then connect it to the Erlauftal Cycle Path for a three-day loop. Be sure to make a few stops along the way! For example, at the Hollenstein lido for a real "summer like in the old days" feeling, or at the "Ochsenloch" natural bathing bay near Opponitz for a swim. A short hike to the Erlauf Gorge near Purgstall is also recommended.
Between towers, alleyways and the Ybbs river, Waidhofen has flair and character. It also has contrasts: Schloss Rothschild combines medieval history with Hans Hollein's glass cube and the interactive 5 Elements Museum.
There is something to experience here around the clock: during the day, enjoy a leisurely coffee in the historic old town, accompanied by a small delicacy from a traditional patisserie. At night, take a journey through the history of the town on a guided night watchman tour.
"If you haven't been to the Ötscher, you haven't seen Lower Austria", so says an old folk saying. And indeed: bubbling mountain streams, thundering waterfalls, rugged limestone cliffs and deep gorges such as the Ötschergräben and the Tormäuer make this nature park unique. Wild beauty between rugged cliffs and clear waterways, interspersed with the tranquillity of the forests.
The Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park stretches around the 1,893-metre-high Ötscher mountain. Covering almost 170 square kilometres, it is the largest, and some say the most impressive, nature park in Lower Austria. Here, you can hike along paths, bridges and footbridges through impressive scenery, past the Lassingfall waterfall and turquoise-blue white water rapids.
You can get even closer to the landscape on guided tours with nature guides, who tell stories of woodcutters, yodellers and the sensitive nature of the "Grand Canyon of Austria" along the way.
Tip: If you want to spend a night under the stars, we recommend the Vorderötscher refuge.
