Discover Haugschlag: Granite, Cultural Heritage and Nature

When looking for a hotel for a trip to Haugschlag, it is worth first deciding what you would most like to focus on. Unusual granite boulders shape the natural landscape; stone heritage sites, the Meridian Trail circular hiking route and golf courses add history and outdoor activities to the area. This lets you plan your trip around the destination’s distinctive features.

Granite Landscape and Protected Areas

Unusually shaped granite boulders define Haugschlag’s natural landscape. One distinctive landmark is the Hat Stone: this granite erratic rises five metres above the ground. Two scales stand side by side here—the landscape shaped by granite formations and a single stone with a specific height. The Hat Stone also leads to the area’s history.

The municipality of Haugschlag lies in a region designated as the “Waldviertel Pond, Heath and Moor Landscape” European site under the Habitats Directive. A further designation identifies the region as the “Waldviertel” Special Protection Area under the Birds Directive. The names highlight different aspects: pond, heath and moorland on the one hand, bird conservation on the other. For your trip planning, these two designations provide different ways of understanding the area’s natural environment.

Stone Heritage Sites and History

The Hat Stone is not only a distinctive granite erratic but also served a purpose in the past: it was once a meeting place before major battles. Its present-day description as a stone rising five metres above the ground and its historical role belong to different periods. Together, they make the Hat Stone a specific point of interest if you would like to explore both natural features and history in Haugschlag.

The Way of the Cross in Haugschlag also connects stone and culture: it features a stone cross on a granite boulder. Granite thus appears not only as a feature of the natural landscape, but also in a named cultural setting. Another historic site is Haugschlag Parish Church. Its patronal title is “The Exaltation of the Holy Cross”; the church was completed in 1787.

A notable feature of the church is its high altar. It comes from the closed Dominican monastery in Krems and was made in the second half of the 18th century. The two dates refer to different things: 1787 marks the completion of the parish church, while the second half of the 18th century is when the high altar was made. Its connection to the monastery in Krems adds the origin of this furnishing to the area’s history.

The Meridian Trail and Golf Courses

The Meridian Trail circular hiking route starts in the centre of Haugschlag, passes the Meridian Stone on its way to Rottal and runs mostly through shady forests. The starting point, intermediate landmark and destination make for a clear sequence: from the centre of town, past the Meridian Stone and on to Rottal. The fact that most of the route runs through forest also gives a specific sense of its character.

Another activity is offered by Haugschlag Golf Club’s two 18-hole championship courses, which have won multiple awards. They are set in a landscape of water, large boulders and heathland. The two options therefore differ in the details that matter when choosing: for the Meridian Trail, the starting point, route and destination are specified; for the golf courses, the focus is on their number, 18-hole format and surrounding landscape. Depending on whether you are more interested in a described circular hike or in golf, these offer different starting points for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Eggern, Bad Großpertholz, Moorbad Harbach, Heidenreichstein, Waldenstein, Weitra, Lauterbach, Sankt Wolfgang

For the broader travel overview: Gmünd.