Hermit trail and wildcat trail

Sturdy shoes

Hermit Trail

When approaching the National Park Visitor Center, you cross the state highway and follow a dirt road to the edge of the forest. This is where the National Park begins, and a forest road leads deep into the natural landscape. Where the Thayatalweg 1 crosses the Einsiedlerweg 2, a romantic sunken path begins, leading to the Bärmühl meadow on the Thaya River and ending at a rock face. A rock shelter is visible about 5 meters above the ground. Legend tells of a hermit who lived here during the Crusades and helped the people of Hardegg discover a silver mine. On the way back, the trail runs a short distance along the sunken path; a trail branches off to the right uphill and winds through stands of oak and hornbeam.

Two overlooks offer views of the Thaya River’s impressive landscape. At a fork in the trail, the Einsiedlerweg rejoins the Thayatalweg 1. The trail descends to Hardegg via the steep Gabrielensteig. Via the Kirchensteig, which begins behind the fire station or across from the Hardegg Castle parking lot, you return to the National Park Visitor Center.

>> Route via the suspension bridge: Route 2 “Classic; via the Czech Republic”

This variant of the Einsiedlerweg starts, in classic fashion, at the National Park Center and follows the route described above. This hiking trail is ideal for families with children. On the way to the Einsiedlerhöhle cave on the Thaya, there are many exciting things to discover about the wildcat. At regular intervals, information signs provide details about the mysterious life of the wildcat. In addition, eleven wildcat silhouettes are well-camouflaged in the thicket. Can you find them all? Insider tip: Halfway to the Einsiedler, the Thayatalweg crosses the trail. It’s worth taking a brief detour here! This path leads past two lookout points that offer impressive views of the town and Hardegg Castle, as well as the Thaya Valley landscape. As you get closer and closer to the valley floor, the Einsiedlerwiese—with the hermit’s cave that gives it its name—can’t be far away. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic to recharge and unwind.

Route description from the suspension bridge:

At this point, cross the new suspension bridge into the Czech section of the national park. Continue hiking upstream along the Thaya River, through sparse forests and idyllic meadow landscapes. Without any uphill sections, you’ll eventually reach the Thaya Bridge in Hardegg. Head uphill toward the clock tower and take the Kirchensteig trail back to the National Park Visitor Center.

Wildcat Trail

At the same time, the section of the Einsiedlerweg between the National Park Center and Einsiedlerwiese is designed as an educational trail.

The forest trail guides visitors through the wildcat’s habitat. A bit of detective work is required here: along the trail, 11 wildcat silhouettes are hidden in the dense underbrush or up in the trees! Small information signs make the search easier and provide interesting background information on the wildcat’s way of life and current situation in Austria.

The Einsiedlerwiese meadow at the end of the trail invites you to take a break on the banks of the Thaya River.

After a hike, visitors can experience the fascination of “real” wildcats up close during the feeding demonstrations in the enclosure.

Parking available at the National Park House

Vienna: A 22 - Stockerau - S3 - B 303 to Hollabrunn - to the roundabout with the L 1027 (Unterretzbach) continue to Niederfladnitz on the L 38 to Hardegg.

Linz: A 7 towards Freistadt - B 310 to Freistadt - B 38 via Zwettl to Rastenfeld - turn left here towards Horn - B 45 to Sigmunsherberg - L 1155 to Weitensfeld - L 1065 to Waschbach - L 1044 to the junction with the L 38 (turn left) and follow the L 38 to Hardegg.

Train Vienna-Retz, or Znaim-Retz, continue by bus from Retz to Hardegg /National Park House.

Traffic days and more info: Rail information: 05/1717

In a romantic location, directly in a high rock face next to the Thaya, you can see a simple stone dwelling. A hermit lived here at the time of the Crusades. His tragic story has been kept alive in a legend!

As a souvenir of your hike around the National Park Thayatal, you can get a hiking token at the cash desk of the National Park Thayatal and in the Ruin Kaja.

Hiking stamps are round plaques designed and inscribed by wood firing, which serve as a souvenir and at the same time as an award for outstanding achievements. Diligent stamp collectors are rewarded with a free premium stamp. You can find more information at http://www.wandermarken.at/