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Michelbach Observatory Trail Variant 2
Hiking tour Starting from Michelbach town center
- Difficulty: Moderate
The entire ridge of the Michelbach valley head is hiked and offers views in all directions as well as of the village in the valley.
- Starting point of the tour
- Michelbach town center
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Fitness level required:4/6
- Overall experience:6/6
- Scenery:6/6
- Lowest point0 m
- Highest point0 m
- Round tour
- Nice views
- With refreshment stops
Description
The rapid ascent through a partly gloomy, peculiar forest - characterized at the end by elder trees and ferns - allows us to quickly gain altitude. From the Tarnhof chapel, we hike gently uphill accompanied by wonderful views to the rustic Kukubauernhütte, which offers food and accommodation. To the west of the hut, we come to a magnificent Alpine foothills panorama and on to the Windkreuz chapel, an old border point and the site of some traditional mystical events. Via the Hackerbauern farmsteads, the Gaishofsattel, the Bischofshöhe and the Ötzelsberg, we hike along the entire ridge that surrounds the Michelbach valley. Along the way, we enjoy the best views with excellent views of St. Pölten and the Ötscher, but the individual farmsteads surrounding us with their orchards and pastures also indulge our senses from all perspectives. A special feature is the Lower Austrian public observatory (Antares Association) on the route. On special guided tour days between March and November, interested visitors can observe various celestial phenomena from the Antares observatory and receive expert explanations. In the village itself we have the possibility of catering and a local supplier.
- Equipment Normal hiking equipment
- Route description We start in the beautiful town center of Michelbach. Opposite the primary school parking lot we go past the fortified church up a slight alley. After about 150 m we follow the signpost to the left up stone steps into the parish forest. The blue/green marked hiking trail takes us briefly across an asphalt road to the Griessler property, then along a footpath through a shady, damp forest, along old hollow paths, to the Tarnhof country house. Up on the right we reach the Tarnhof chapel and continue out of the forest to the mountain farm with its well-maintained chapel. Now the path winds over coarse gravel further to the Lower Austria Public Observatory, which can be visited on weekends. Over the anniversary pasture and the following ridge path, with the best views to the north and south, we reach the Kukubauer hut, which offers food, accommodation, and views north to Göttweig and the Waldviertel massif. The short ascent to the Heimkehrer Cross, at 782 m the highest point of Michelbach, is worthwhile.The hike continues west (yellow marking) and takes us through a forest reminiscent of dwarfs and fairies to a magnificent pre-alpine panorama. Straight ahead we almost reach the Wind Cross Chapel - an old border point. With the chapel in sight, we turn right heading north, following the 'Michelbach' signpost - hiking over a dreamlike meadow path to the Oberhackerbauer property and continuing across the road to Unterhackerbauer. At the bend below the property we leave the asphalt road and take the gravel path down to the Gaishof saddle. There a pear tree still guides us across the meadow to the forest before the Gaishof - passing through a lovely hornbeam woodland on the right we reach a hill with views of St. Pölten and shortly after Ötscher. Past the young linden tree at the highest point, our path continues east, hiking along the ridge through a small forest, along a row of larches, crossing a hiking trail junction straight ahead. Further on the ridge, we keep left after entering the forest, follow the blue/yellow marking down to the Hochgern property and further back towards the Michelbach valley to the Kaiblinger farm with a well-kept chapel and a remarkable holly bush. Along the forest edge downhill, we come to the Hinterleitner chapel. At the foot of Michelbach we hike from the chapel off-trail across meadows straight to the south-facing settlement and further downhill to the state road. Now turn right - after about 250 m we are back at the starting point.
- Parking Parking lot of the Michelbach primary school
- Getting there Westautobahn A1, exit Böheimkirchen (Exit 48), approx. 11 km to Michelbach town center
- Public transport By regional train from St. Pölten or Vienna West to Böheimkirchen. With the ÖBB bus to Michelbach, stop Michelbach Markt
- Editor’s tip Be sure to take time for a visit to the observatory!
Recommended period
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Municipality of Michelbach
3074 Michelbach, Markt 7
Tel. 02744/8220
gemeinde@michelbach.gv.at
www.michelbach.gv.at
Lower Austria Amateur Astronomers Association
3100 St. Pölten, Schuhmeierstraße 1
Tel. 0676 / 5711924
antares-info@aon.at
www.noe-sternwarte.at
Kukubauer Hut
Open from Wednesday to Sunday between 10:00 and 20:00
From November to March only at weekends
Overnight stays possible upon request
Mostviertel Tourism
Neubruck 2/10
3270 Scheibbs
www.mostviertel.at
Letzte Änderung: 16 Mar 2026