At the start, Regional Route E is the same route as that of the Viennese Alps route. After the Steinkreis Waldbauer observation point, the route heads on to Krumbach. The Regional Routes are part of the network of paths making up the Viennese Alps (WAB) route. Hikes along these routes lead you to unique views and also insights. The Regional Routes are linked to the network of paths making up the Viennese Alps route. This results in circular hikes in conjunction with the long-distance path.
Description
From one of the highest points in the Bucklige Welt on the border with Styria, this route is a varied hike on field paths close to nature, through forests, and also on old farmer’s roads down to Krumbach. This hike is truly stunning with beautiful long-distance views into the rural, cultivated landscapes of the Bucklige Welt and the mysterious “Steinkreis Waldbauer” stone circle.
Starting point of the tour
The start of the hike is at Gasthof Höller in the centre of Gschaidt
Destination point of the tour
Krumbach municipal office, in the town centre
Route description WAB - Regional Route E: Gschaidt - Feichten - Krumbach
The start of Regional Route E is on Hauptstraße next to Landgasthof Höller in Gschaidt. The first part of the route takes us along the Viennese Alps Way. We follow this for a few kilometres. We continue along Hauptstraße towards Feuerwehrhaus Geschaidt then soon after turn left onto a cart path. The designated hiking route descends almost 200 metres down into the valley. We cross over the Hochneukirchner Bach and turn right off the street. After less than 10 minutes we head slightly left on the road to Zöbersdorf. After going past the Trettlermühle, we follow the road slightly uphill. We then take the left-hand side of the fork continuing towards Zöbersdorf. A few minutes later, we reach a sharp left turn, where we head slightly towards the right, away from the road and take a forest path downhill towards Tannwaldbach stream. We hike up the valley on the path alongside the stream. Walk alternatively on the shadowy forest paths and solitary meadow trails, before turning right at the top end of a meadow onto a forest and cart track towards Gumpoldshof. We hike along the access road to Gumpoldshof and continue to ascend slightly. After emerging from the forest, the access road runs into another road, and we turn right. A few minutes later, in an open field, we take a sharp left-hand turn onto a path towards Waldbauer. The path on the edge of a forested hill is beautiful and offers plenty of great views. We leave the path at this point and turn right onto the forest path towards the observation point at Steinkreis Waldbauer. This man-made stone circle can be found between the trees. It is around 6 metres in diameter and is a splendid place to stop and reflect.
We continue hiking towards Waldbauer and continue along the edge of the forest. After a few minutes we take a sharp turn right onto a cart path at the end of a row of trees. The Viennese Alps route carries straight on to Pickl. From this point on we are hiking on the Central Alpine Trail (Zentralalpenweg) down to Krumbach (marked out in red). The road undulates gently until we reach the tiny hamlet of Feichten and turn left onto a path next to a wayside shrine. After a brief ascent, we follow the road downhill to Hotel Schloss Krumbach. A few metres after the approach to Krumbach Castle, we turn bend towards the left onto a hiking path and descend into the valley whilst crossing Schloßstraße. We come back to the road, continue to hike towards Unterhaus and as Hauptstraße turns right, we go left towards Krumbach. Continue along Alte Straße parallel to the B55, pass Museumsdorf Krumbach, then follow the B55 for a few minutes. Before the bridge to Pfarrbach, we turn right onto Marktstraße and follow its course on a left-hand bend going to Krumbach municipal office. Regional Route E ends here. If you are in Krumbach then it is possible to stay overnight at the Krumbacherhof or to continue along Regional Route B to Maria Schnee Pilgrimage Church, along Route C to Kirchschlag, or Route D to Bad Schönau. Buses travel from Krumbach to Edlitz-Grimmenstein railway station.
Directions
If you are travelling from Vienna and Graz, leave the A2 at the Schäffern exit, then follow the L424 through Schäffern to the crossroads at Laglmühle. Turn left onto the L423/L126 uphill towards Hochneukirchen-Gschaidt.
Parking
Car parking is available at Dorfplatz, next to the church.
Unfortunately, public transport links to Gschaidt are rather fiddly. Take the train via Wiener Neustadt to Edlitz-Grimmenstein. From there, buses travel via the Hochneukirchen branch and continue with a bus towards Hochneukirchen and Gschaidt. The bus is only available on school days and not at weekends, public holidays, and school holidays. Alternatively, taxis are available throughout the region.
More information at www.oebb.at
Author's tip
Combine your hike with a visit or overnight stay at the Krumbacherhof, ran by the Ottner family.
