Stone and Time themed circular route no. 68 - Pöggstall - Loibersdorf

At Schmankerl Wia z 'Haus Kalkofen, first walk down the street to the right towards Gerersdorf. With the beautiful view of St. Anna Church, you reach Station 1 former Danube valley, shortly after you come to Station 2 brick kiln. Continuing on the road to Gerersdorf, take the left turn to Station 3 Methuselah stone. From here, you go back 40 meters on the path and continue to the right to Station 4 granite veins.

Now the path leads a bit through the forest uphill to Stations 5 paragneiss and 6 graphite, both located slightly off the route (about 40 meters). After you return from the detour, you walk along the road to Station 7 former lime kiln. Now you pass the remains of a lime kiln.

Soon you will have completed half of the double loop and are back at the starting point at the guesthouse. You have now completed the first, southern loop of the themed trail and set out refreshed for the second stage. For the second part of the route, go about 10 meters to the left from the start board and then up the steep asphalt path to the right. Soon this turns into a gently ascending forest path. At Station 8 marble quarry - rock fold, turn left up the path. After a short flat section, it goes moderately steeply up to the right on the "Raingasse" (former transport route of the burnt lime) to Station 9 marble extraction pit.

Returning along the side path, follow the path to Station 10 Kastenhofer lime kiln. Continuing on the forest path, you reach the highest point of the route (675 m above sea level) at Schmidkreuz and then turn left onto the road to Station 11 leukocratic orthogneiss. Here, with suitable visibility, you have a view of the Styrian-Lower Austrian limestone Alps (Schneeberg, Rax, Ötscher up to the Gesäuse). Continuing along the road, you can decide in Bergern whether to go left back to the starting point Schmankerl Wia'z Haus Kalkofen or right over the path "Old Post Road" to Pöggstall.

Sturdy footwear is sufficient, optionally functional clothing, sun and rain protection, map material, possibly telescopic poles, first aid kit (blister plasters), provision (snack, muesli bar, fruit, water)

For winter hikes, we recommend a thermos with warm drinks, warm functional clothing, headgear as well as gloves, pocket or headlamp.

Make sure when choosing the route that it matches your fitness level. Check whether the gastronomy businesses you want to visit along the way are open. Pack your mobile phone and map material in your backpack.

From Vienna via the A1 to the Melk exit - Melk Danube bridge - B3 towards Weitenegg, on L216 until shortly before Pöggstall, then turn right to Loibersdorf

From Linz – A1 to Ybbs/Donau exit, Ybbs Danube bridge, B36 to Würnsdorf near Pöggstall or via the A1 Pöchlarn exit, L7247, L7266 to Pöggstall and Loibersdorf

Pöggstall is accessible by regional bus from Zwettl and from the train stations Melk, Pöchlarn, Ybbs/Donau, Krems, and St. Pölten (except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays). Your exact route can be planned with the VOR route planner. www.vor.at

Free parking at Schmankerl Wia z´Haus Kalkofen

Responsible for the content of this tour
Waldviertel Tourism
Last updated: 31.01.2023

Market municipality Pöggstall
Meran of the Waldviertel
3650 Pöggstall, Hauptplatz 1
(T) +43 2758 2383
(E) gemeinde@poeggstall.at
(I) www.poeggstall.at

Waldviertel Tourism
3910 Zwettl, Sparkassenplatz 1/2/2
(T) +43 2822 54109
(E) info@waldviertel.at
(I) www.waldviertel.at

Pöggstall Castle
Museum cashier - open from Tuesday to Sunday
3650 Pöggstall, Hauptplatz 1
(T) +43 2758 2383-25 or +43 680 3325747
(E) schloss@poeggstall.at

Taxi Hader, Pöggstall
(T) +43 2758 3300

The Methuselah stone at Station 3 is very impressive and the stop at the guesthouse Höllmüller is recommended.