Description
This circular hike starting and ending in Waidhofen/Ybbs leads through a magnificent alpine farming landscape, which, thanks to natural and extensive cultivation, offers very interesting botany. Along the route, many beautiful panoramic views into the Mühl and Waldviertel regions up to the Totes Gebirge, into the Gesäuse, and to the Ötscher.
Starting point of the tour
Waidhofen/Ybbs–Bürgerspitalkirche, center
Route description Hirschberg - Spindeleben
The route starts in the town center at the Bürgerspitalkirche and initially follows the Austrian long-distance trails 04 and 06. After a first ascent, passing several farms, you reach the mountain village of Konradsheim after about an hour. On a limestone cliff at 647 m elevation lies the Gothic parish church. At the foot of the rock is the parish cemetery, known for its many elaborate grave crosses. Not far from the cemetery, the hiking route leaves the long-distance trail and follows trail number 11 along the farm road to the Zattelsberg farm at about 700 m. After about an hour, you reach the Mitterhirschberg farm. Above the farm at 840 m is the "Hirschberg panoramic viewpoint." From here, the path descends past more farms to the Sooserhöhe and over the Hochkogel to the Donatus chapel, the "Holy Well in the Letten," an old place of devotion with a legendary healing spring.
The route continues a short distance along the long-distance trails 04 and 06, reaching after another hour the state road junction Kreuzgruberhöhe (bus service to Waidhofen/Ybbs or Mr. Neustift – Großraming). The path then follows trail number 28 to the Elmkogel (28a) or along its southern slope to a quiet idyllic resting place, the old border saddle "Auf der Hiefl." After a longer ascent through meadows, pastures, and forests with beautiful viewpoints, you reach after about 1.5 hours the highest point of the hike, Spindeleben. Now follows the descent along trail number 27 through the north slope of the Redtenberg, past the legendary Devil's Wall with a branching option to the Hahnlreith cross. The route (No. 27) continues to the Hochpöchl inn (not operated!!!). Following the farm road Schnabelberg, you reach Waidhofen/Ybbs again after about 2 hours, where a short detour up to the Buchenberg Nature Park House (including refreshment options) is worthwhile to conclude the route.
