The best traffic-free bike rides around Karlstetten

The Mariazell Railway is more than just a means of transport; it's an experience that whisks travelers away to the picturesque landscapes of Lower Austria and Styria. Your journey begins at St. Pölten Central Station, where the modern trains – known as the "Stairway to Heaven" – depart daily. The connection to Mariazell offers not only comfort but also a stress-free way to enjoy the beauty of nature. Over a distance of 85 kilometers, the train winds its way through the idyllic Dirndl Valley to its destination, the famous pilgrimage site of Mariazell. With a travel time of approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, passengers have ample opportunity to admire the breathtaking views. The journey climbs 619 meters in altitude, reaching its highest point in the impressive Gösing Tunnel, which, at 2,369 meters, is the longest tunnel on this route.

The Viehofner Lakes in St. Pölten consist of the Großer Viehofner See and the Kleiner Viehofner See, and together form a popular local recreation area. The lakes are connected by a canal and offer a variety of opportunities for recreational activities such as swimming, boating, walking, and cycling. Well-developed cycling and hiking trails run along the shores, offering magnificent views of the water and the surrounding nature. While the Großer Viehofner See invites you to linger with its lawns, swimming areas, and restaurants, the Kleiner Viehofner See, with its reed beds and breeding grounds, is a nature reserve and provides a habitat for numerous bird species. The area thus combines recreation, sports, and nature experiences in the immediate vicinity of the city.

Free swimming, parking is subject to a fee, except in winter

There is a train going nowhere

Viehofen Castle is located in the St. Pölten district of the same name and was first documented in 1130. However, its history likely dates back even further. In 1179, Pope Alexander III confirmed the ownership rights of the Diocese of Passau, and a castle chapel is documented from 1248. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands several times: It was owned by, among others, the Viehofen, Wallseer, Kirchberg, and the noble Herberstein and Kuefstein families, who took over the property permanently from 1745 onwards. Viehofen Castle served as a residence until 1945. After the Second World War, it was severely damaged by Soviet troops, fell into increasing disrepair in the following decades, and was even on the verge of demolition in the 1960s. In 2003, Josef Figl acquired the severely damaged building and began a comprehensive restoration. Historical elements such as 18th-century windows, original wooden floorboards, and old doors were carefully restored. Today, Viehofen Castle serves as a stylish venue for weddings, concerts, corporate events, and private celebrations. The vaulted hall on the ground floor, a marble-floored hall on the first floor, and the renovated Gothic chapel dedicated to St. James are available for a variety of events. Since 2021, civil weddings have also been possible in the castle. Architecturally, the ensemble is impressive due to its location on a prominent escarpment with views of the Lower Austrian Alpine foothills and its largely preserved historic structure.

Very beautifully preserved and well-maintained wayside shrine with niche. Wayside crosses and wayside shrines are silent symbols of the Christian faith, and there are many reasons for their construction. They are often located at the side of the road - we often drive or walk past carelessly and lost in thought and do not actively notice the cross. In the Austrian-speaking area, wayside crosses, like wayside shrines and memorial plaques, are often referred to regionally as "Marterl".

St. Pölten main station is very easy to reach by bike. Numerous cycle paths lead from the station into the surrounding area, including the Traisental cycle path, which connects directly to the station. There are bicycle parking facilities nearby, including special parking spaces in the parking garage at the station. The station is a good starting point for cycling tours in and around St. Pölten. St. Pölten main station, built in 1858, is an important transport hub in Lower Austria and connects the city to numerous destinations in Austria and beyond, including Vienna, Salzburg and Munich. The station was extensively renovated and modernized between 2006 and 2010.

Oberwölbling, a village in the market town of Wölbling in the St. Pölten-Land district, is located on the southeastern edge of the Dunkelsteinerwald. First mentioned in documents in 1074, the village captivates with its historical sights such as the late Gothic parish church, surrounded by a defensive wall and the pillory from 1589. In addition to cultural highlights, the region offers leisure activities, from the idyllic forest pool to the Fladnitztal cycle route. Oberwölbling is also known for its traditional wine-growing and cozy wine taverns, which invite you to enjoy and linger.