Great Bärentrail

Stage 1: BÄRENWALD – Waldhofmoor – across the state border to OÖ/Liebenau, Rubner Pond – Tannermoor – Rammelhof – Arbesbach (21 km, 6.5 hours)

The trail starts at BÄRENWALD Arbesbach (parking lot, bus). Initially, it mostly leads through a scenic open landscape (with views of the Alps!) to the hidden Waldhofmoor. Afterwards, you cross the state border to Upper Austria (OÖ), follow the detour to Rubner Pond (kiosk, bathing pond) and to Tannermoor in the Liebenau municipality. Then you walk a short distance back on the same trail but in the opposite direction. Near the state border, turn left again and reach Arbesbach in the evening (21 km, 6.5 hours).

Stage 2: Arbesbach – Lehrmühle – Großer Kamp – Kampwald idyll – Antenfeinhöfen – Klein Wetzles – Zwettl Valley – Klaus Chapel – Groß Gerungs (22 km, 6.5 hours)

In the morning, a visit to the distinctive Arbesbach “Stockzahn” with its legendary view is recommended (the key is available at the Huber bakery). The Bärentrail leaves Arbesbach in the direction of “Steinberg” and then swings into the idyllic valley of the Große Kamp. After Lehrmühle, you enter a truly enchanted, detached forest valley with a wilderness touch: the Große Kamp rushes under sprawling veteran spruces over moss-covered granite blocks and forms many small waterfalls. The Bärentrail then crosses a bright, blueberry-rich coniferous forest and finally reaches the plateau of Antenfeinhöfen. Here you get a good insight into the gentle, agricultural use shaping the lovely Waldviertel cultural landscape.

At the Waldviertler Hirschkoglhof, in the “center” of the scattered settlement near the village chapel, you can refresh yourself (refreshment spot, farm shop). Through the gently rolling landscape with viewpoints and species-rich flower meadows, the trail continues to Klein Wetzles and Kinzenschlag, where the Gasthof Einfalt awaits you (guesthouse, camping). If you reach Klein Wetzles, you can make a detour to the alpacas resident here (reservation required). After that, it goes downhill to the enchanting Klause (Klaus Chapel) in the Zwettl Valley – with granite castles in the forest and the refreshing Zwettl river. From here, it's not far to your stage destination Groß Gerungs. (22 km, 6.5 hours)

Stage 3: Groß Gerungs – Zwettl Valley – Weißmühle – Friesenhof – Wiesensfeld – Griesbach – Hammerschmiede – Kamp – Arbesbach (18 km, 5 hours)

Groß Gerungs lies embedded in an extremely picturesque cultural landscape with countless terraces and so-called “strip fields.” On the Bärentrail, you can intensely experience this unique curved and striped landscape that has also inspired many artists. The trail leads you, coming from the town, past the cardiovascular center (fruit tree culture and chapel of St. Corona). After the trail guides you through the shady Zwettl Valley, you reach a sunlit section across a gentle ridge that particularly shows you this strip fields landscape. It is rightly called “The Tuscany of the North.” You get to know a part of the elongated village Wiesensfeld and pass through a forested section to Griesbach. In Griesbach, you can take a detour to the village (village inn/Kastner store) or continue further over lovely, open hills and bright forests toward Hammerschmiede (museum) on the Große Kamp. From there, it is not far to Arbesbach. (18 km, 5 hours)

Stage 4: Arbesbach – Kamp – Hammerschmiede – “Seven Sacraments” – Höllfall – Hausmühle – Gorge at Große Kamp – Paradies – Kirchbach – Rappottenstein (16 km, 5 hours)

From Arbesbach, the Bärentrail leads you to the Große Kamp and the historic Hammerschmiede (museum). Via the “Seven Sacraments,” you reach the wild-romantic Höllfall. After leaving the forest gorge, you hike through a charming, open cultural landscape, past Hausmühle (refreshment spot, organic goat farm), to the hidden “Gorge at Große Kamp” (surefootedness required, hiking at your own risk, easier alternative possible). Below Heumühle awaits the lovely “Paradies.” Then you can decide: either left to Kirchbach (food, accommodation, camping) or to Rappottenstein (food, accommodation) (16 km, 5 hours).

Stage 5: Variant 1 to Pretrobruck: Rappottenstein – forest bath – passing below Rappottenstein Castle – Schütt – Wiesmühle – Lohnbachfall – Zeller Steg – Pretrobruck (12 km, 3.5 hours)

Variant 2 to Altmelon: Rappottenstein – forest bath – passing below Rappottenstein Castle – Schütt – Wiesmühle – Lohnbachfall – Zeller Steg – Renngasse – Perwolfs – Luaga Lucka – Altmelon (19 km, 6 hours)

If you start from Kirchbach, you must first hike the Bärentrail to Rappottenstein. From Rappottenstein, you descend into the valley of the Kleine Kamp, to the forest bath (buffet). Further upstream, you find enchanted, granite-blocked river sections called “Schütt.” Perhaps you want to take a detour to the mighty Rappottenstein Castle? Above the Schütt, you mostly hike through wide hollows and past Wiesmühle to Lohnbachfall, a real waterfall in a rather dramatic rock gorge. At Zeller Steg, you can either go right to Pretrobruck (variant 1: 12 km, 3.5 hours from Rappottenstein; food and accommodation) or continue left to Altmelon (variant 2: 19 km, 6 hours from Rappottenstein). On the way, you pass Renngasse and Perwolfs and can experience the rocky natural wonder of Altmelon, the “Luaga Lucka.”

Stage 6: Variant 1 from Pretrobruck: Pretrobruck – Roßberg – Renngasse – Perwolfs – Luaga Lucka – Altmelon – Meloner Au – Auwächter – Purrath – BÄRENWALD (19 km, 6 hours)

Variant 2 from Altmelon: Altmelon – Meloner Au – Auwächter – Purrath – BÄRENWALD Arbesbach (10 km, 3 hours)

If you start from Pretrobruck (variant 1: 19 km, 6 hours pure walking time to BÄRENWALD), you hike over Roßberg, Renngasse, through Perwolfs and the Luaga Lucka to Altmelon. From Altmelon, you pass through Meloner Au (an internationally important moor conservation area) and past the “Auwächter” to Purrath. Via a scenic forest edge path (with views of Ötscher), you reach BÄRENWALD again. If you start this stage from Altmelon (variant 2: 10 km, 3 hours), you first hike through Meloner Au and after a pleasant walk over Purrath, return to the starting point at BÄRENWALD.