Thayatalweg – Thayatal National Park

If you want to get to know the Thayatal from its most beautiful side, the Thayatalweg is the right place for you. It leads over long stretches along the Thaya to the circulation mountain, requires a bit of endurance and a little sure-footedness on the steep sections, but is rewarded with impressive views of the valley and a variety of possible nature observations.

The starting point is in the heart of Hardegg. The path initially leads steeply uphill over the Gabrielensteig, but then soon downhill again towards the river, which you now follow for long stretches. The pleasant thing: Right next to the Thaya it stays refreshingly cool even in midsummer.

The following section - next to the Thaya, at the foot of Ochsengraben and Bossengraben up to the crossing - is characterized by a very original character. Here you can experience the development of the wilderness up close, right in the middle of the Green Canyon. Since the national park was founded, nature has had its free reign here.

When climbing over, you have the choice of shortening the route or using the Thaya loop around the circulation mountain. But you shouldn't miss the fantastic Rundeberg view, accessible via the crossing. Only from a bird's eye view do you really understand the dimensions of the valley and the windings of the Thaya. A must-see! At the same time, there is the possibility of encountering green lizards sunning themselves. Especially in spring when they go on a “bride show”.

Where the Kajabach flows into the Thaya, the Thayatalweg branches off into the shady Kajabachtal. In addition to old stands of copper beech, many maples, alders and elms thrive here. The clean stream is also home to a Thayatal star: the noble crab lives here. The crayfish, which was native to practically all streams and rivers in Austria a few decades ago, has been extremely decimated by the introduction of pesticides and fertilizers into its habitats, but also by introduced diseases and competition from the American signal crayfish. He has found a safe retreat in the national park.

You slowly emerge from the valley again and hike slightly uphill until the over 800 year old Kaja castle ruins appear among the greenery. The fortress offers a beautiful view over the national park forest in the Kajabachtal.

We return from Merkersdorf by bus. Alternatively, the return route leads via the accompanying path (next to the federal road from Merkersdorf towards the National Park House) and the Kirchensteig back down to Hardegg (about four kilometers and an hour more).