Bernhardsthal: History, Landscape and Trails

Bernhardsthal offers several distinct themes to consider when planning your trip: Hallstatt-era burial mounds, an exceptional railway structure beside the landscape pond, and routes for cycling and hiking. You can choose what to focus on—historical sites, water and landscape, or getting active on cycling routes and circular trails. Nature observation is another theme in its own right, with educational trails and an observation case.

Tumuli and Viewing Platform

The three tumuli are Hallstatt-era burial mounds and have long been a popular destination for exploring. Right by the Bernsteinstraße, near the tumuli, there is an 800 m² rest area with a viewing platform. It provides visitors with information about this historical rarity and was built to protect the rare dry grasslands. The views, information and protection of this habitat come together here. If you are interested in archaeological sites, you can make this area a focus of its own. The tumuli combine a specific historical theme with a rest area that is explicitly dedicated to interpretation and the protection of dry grasslands.

Landscape Pond and Railway Structure

The Bernhardsthal landscape pond has a water surface of 25 ha and a shoreline of approx. 2.7 km. It is the largest body of water in the Weinviertel. A structure with a history of its own also defines this place: the railway brick bridge of the Kaiser Ferdinand Nordbahn divides the landscape pond. It dates back to 1839 and is Austria’s oldest surviving railway structure. Here, a large expanse of water stands alongside a precisely dated testament to railway history.

Pedal boats can be rented at the landscape pond during opening hours from the adjoining “Teichstüberl” Heuriger wine tavern or at the municipal office. If you plan to rent a boat, check the opening hours in advance. This lets you take the time constraint into account without having to set a specific duration for your visit.

Cycling Routes, Circular Trails and Nature Trails

Bernhardsthal has well-developed cycling routes for cyclists, connecting to EuroVelo 9 via Reintal. There is also a connection to the KTM cycle route. These two named connections provide specific reference points for planning your onward journey. Hikers can enjoy circular trails with a visitor guidance system and information boards at notable points. The cycling routes focus on connections to named routes, while the circular trails provide orientation on site.

The Reintal Bee Educational Trail is one kilometre long and has seven information boards about important beneficial insects. Worker bees can be observed in an observation case along the trail. Another nature trail in Bernhardsthal is the “Holzweg” (Woodland Trail). Many plants around the landscape pond have QR codes; scanning them gives visitors interesting information about the flora of the Weinviertel. Each trail has a different focus: the Bee Educational Trail centres on information boards and observation in the case, while the Holzweg focuses on plants and sharing information about them digitally.

Landscape and Getting There

There are also landscapes to linger in away from the trails. The Thaya floodplains have wide meadows, while the pine forest in Bernhardsthal is also an inviting place to linger. Alongside the archaeological and technical themes, these are two clearly defined natural areas that can shape your stay. The difference is easy to see: the wide meadows of the Thaya floodplains on one side, the pine forest on the other.

Bernhardsthal has a railway connection at the Nordbahn terminus. If you plan to travel by train, check the timetable for your travel date before setting off. When choosing the focus of your trip, you can consider the historical sites, landscape pond, trails and natural areas separately, or combine themes that suit your stay.

Discover More Destinations

Ottenthal, Traunfeld, Zwingendorf, Wolkersdorf Im Weinviertel, Bockfließ, Drasenhofen, Gnadendorf, Ladendorf

To the main travel overview: Mistelbach.