Laaben: Circular Routes, Forests and Views

For a stay in Laaben, it is worth considering the hiking destinations individually. The routes differ in their beech forests, orchards, old sunken lanes and other types of forest; they also include viewpoints and a destination with a specific historical connection. Starting points and bus destinations are also relevant when planning.

Hiking Routes Through Varied Landscapes

The “Kleiner Laaben Circular Hiking Route” starts at Laaben’s main square. Along the way, it passes through beech forests and orchards, offers views and follows a small stream. The circular route via Pyrath and Brand also passes through beech forests, but adds old sunken lanes to the landscape and follows a small stream back to Laaben. A specific difference when choosing between the two is the orchards and views on the Kleiner Laaben Circular Hiking Route, compared with the old sunken lanes at Pyrath and Brand; both routes include beech forests and a stream.

Forest Routes and Türkenstein

The “Großer Türkenstein Circular Route” starts at the Gasthof zur Glashütte in Laaben. It passes through alder, oak, maple, spruce, beech and mixed forests, and leads to Türkenstein, which is associated with the events of 1683. This route therefore combines different types of forest with a specific historical connection. If you are looking for a historical connection as well as scenery on a hike, this route differs from those whose distinctive features are beech forests, orchards, a stream and old sunken lanes.

Views and Schöpfl

The Franz-Edurard-Matraswarte was built in 1898. From the Matraswarte on the summit, you can see the hills of the Waldviertel, the Ötscher, the Schneeberg and the Danube Valley. The views and the year it was built give this destination a different focus from the circular routes. Schöpfl offers another option for planning: it can be climbed from Laaben in about two hours. The Schöpfl-Schutzhaus is an ÖTK (Austrian Tourist Club) mountain refuge on Schöpfl, the highest mountain in the Vienna Woods in Lower Austria. The view from the lookout tower and the approximately two-hour climb to Schöpfl therefore provide different points of reference for planning your outing.

Getting There and Parking

For the circular route via Pyrath and Brand, you can take an ÖBB bus to the Laaben Hauptplatz stop. For the “Großer Türkenstein Circular Route,” the ÖBB bus to Laaben/Klamm stops at Glashütte. Check the ÖBB timetable before travelling. Each stop is linked to a specific hike; parking for the Elsbeerweg Laaben is available at Laaben municipal office. This means there is a practical difference when planning your journey: the two circular routes have different bus destinations, while parking for the Elsbeerweg is at the municipal office. If you are looking for a hotel in Laaben, you can plan your excursions and the best way to get there together.

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See the main travel overview: Sankt Pölten.