The most beautiful Wine Hikes in Austria
Introduction
A hike through sun-kissed vineyards, the scent of ripe grapes in the air, and waiting for you at the finish line: A glass of wine, and a hearty Brettljause, loaded with regional specialities.
In Austria, you can easily combine hiking in the fresh air with culinary delights. Stroll along scenic trails through renowned wine regions, stopping at local winemakers who serve their finest drops in cosy and traditional wine taverns.
Burgenland
On a wine walk through Burgenland, you’ll discover a wide variety of wine-growing regions: from Lake Neusiedl, through the Blaufränkisch region in Central Burgenland-Rosalia, right down to Southern Burgenland. Around Lake Neusiedl, the paths wind their way along the rows of vines, offering fantastic views of the reed belt. Particularly worth seeing is the wine-growing village of Rust, known for its ‘Ruster Ausbruch’ wine, and the stork’s nests on the rooftops. Further south, cellar lanes and thatched cellar cottages shape the landscape, especially in the Heiligenbrunn cellar district.
The Burgenland wine-growing region is one of Austria’s most important wine-growing regions. The Pannonian climate and diverse soils give rise to red, white and sweet wines with distinctive character.
Wine trails in Burgenland
Lower Austria
With eight wine regions, Lower Austria is Austria's largest wine-growing region – stretching from the Wachau all the way to the Weinviertel. Here, wine hikes take you to well-known villages such as Langenlois, Krems, Spitz and Retz, past vineyards and through cellar lanes. The 1-mile Hadres cellar lane invites you to stroll amongst historic wine presses before the route continues to typical taverns called 'Buschenschanken', where winegrowers serve their 'Grüner Veltliner'.
Lower Austria wine-growing region: Lower Austria is Austria’s largest wine-growing region. Eight wine-growing areas, varied soils and a climate influenced by the Danube characterise the landscape.
Wine trails in Lower Austria
Styria
Styria offers wine hiking in all its variety: eight wine routes shape this wine-growing region, with trails leading over hills and past steep vineyards. Along the South Styrian Wine Route, listen for the clatter of the 'Klapotetz', a traditional wooden windmill. The Klöcher Wine Route starts in Bad Radkersburg, while the Schilcher Wine Route runs through West Styria. In the wine villages of Leutschach, Gamlitz and Ehrenhausen, traditional taverns called 'Buschenschanken' pour typical wines of the region, served alongside spreads, salads, bacon and smoked meats.
Styria wine-growing region: Styria is renowned for its elegant white wines with a clear sense of provenance. Three DAC regions, steep vineyards and grape varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Morillon and Schilcher characterise the wine-growing landscape.
Wine trails in Styria
Vienna
Wine hiking in Vienna means taking the tram straight up to the vineyards. Around Grinzing and Stammersdorf, on Nussberg, Kahlenberg and Maurerberg, paths wind their way through the vineyards, offering views over the city and the Danube. In between, wine taverns open their gardens, pour Viennese wine and serve both hot and cold classics. It's what makes this city so special: in Vienna, wine growing and tavern culture are not a contrast to the big city, but a natural part of it.
Vienna wine-growing region: Vienna is the only capital city in the world with a significant wine-growing tradition. Vineyards, traditional taverns called 'Heurige' and the 'Wiener Gemischter Satz' DAC bring together winemaking heritage, urban culture and closeness to nature.