Hiking in Vienna | Wanderpass

May 19, 2024

Let me take you on a hike (or several) around Vienna!
Back in 2022, as life was slowly beginning to feel normal again, I discovered the Vienna hiking trails. It took me a year to set out on my first solo hike. I wasn’t sure what to expect or whether I’d be able to manage it, but less than six months later, I had collected every stamp in my hiking pass and proudly owned all the available badges. A weekend hike with my earphones quickly became my absolute favourite activity in the world.
Now that summer has passed and autumn has painted everything spectacularly beautiful, I’d encourage you to get your own hiking pass (Wanderpass) and explore Vienna’s wonderful – and, in fact, fairly easy – hiking trails.

Here you can get all the necessary information about the hikes, included in the Wanderpass. The pass itself could be obtained from the Vienna City Hall (Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 1) or downloaded as a PDF (but it lacks all the useful information about the hiking trails).

I’ve also gathered some impressions for you – subjective and personal, but true to my experience. Not every hike on the list is equal, and, to be honest, some probably shouldn’t have been included at all. Still, I’m doing them all over again this year, this time with my daughter. Happily, many of the trails include children’s playgrounds. If you’re lucky, as I once was, you might even find yourself alone on a huge swing at Bisamberg, the sun shining straight into your eyes, leaving you no choice but to close them and feel completely at peace with yourself and everything around you.

1. Kahlenberg

I like this trail – it’s pleasant and easy for the most part, but also very well known, which means it can get a bit crowded.

1a. Leopoldsberg

Similar to Kahlenberg, but involves more “real” hiking. No worries, though – you can always relax afterwards at a local winery.

2. Hermannskogel

One of my absolute favourites. I went there during a particularly beautiful autumn, and at one point, I walked through a tunnel of golden-crowned trees. It was stunning!

3. Hameau

A wonderful trail. Rumour has it that it’s perfectly suited for the broken-hearted – the healing power of nature will certainly make you feel better about your “pathetic situation”. ;)

4. Jubiläumswarte

Another lovely hike. I remember racing against bad weather that day, but I still managed to climb up the Jubiläumswarte. This, however, is something I will never do again in my life. I’ve never been afraid of heights, yet I could barely make it down the shaky stairs – my knees were trembling, and I honestly thought I wouldn’t get back to the ground safely.

4a. Ottakring

One of the easiest hikes and a very pleasant one. You can peek into the Ottakring forest school and enjoy some family time nearby. I believe this was the trail that surprised me with unexpected stairs at the end – so be mentally prepared!

5. Bisamberg

My most beloved trail, along with Maurer Wald. It’s pure perfection from start to finish. Easily manageable with children – especially if you have Haribo or other treats for a quick “power recharge”.

6. Zugberg - Maurer Wald

Another favourite. This trail leads to the perfect spot for flying a kite (or having a picnic with your daughter and the soft animals she insists on bringing along). What I love most is the variety – you experience different faces of the Viennese forest as you go.

7. Laaer Berg

A nice, easy, and accessible trail, though it does get a bit long and rather monotonous towards the end. Probably the only one best enjoyed with company rather than alone. ;)

8. Sophienalpe

To be honest, the main thing I remember is listening to Mumford & Sons while hiking there – and the fact that the Stempelstation (where you collect your hiking stamps) was the cutest I’d seen so far. My notes simply say “OK” – so yes, an OK trail.

9. Prater

A lovely long walk through the Prater – very beginner-friendly, with plenty of playgrounds for children and the delightful Birkenwiese.

10. Franz-Karl-Effenberg

The shortest trail on the list. I didn’t enjoy it at all the first time and still wonder why it’s included. I’ll give it another try soon, though.

11. Urbaner Gemeindebau

This “urban hike” (really more of a walk between two districts) isn’t particularly impressive unless you’re especially interested in the municipal buildings of Red Vienna. Reumannhof, however, is a little gem hiding in plain sight.

12. Wienerberg

The final trail is… intense. The length of 23 km doesn’t bother me – it’s the fact that much of it takes you alongside or even underneath motorways. “Unpleasant” is the politest way I can describe it. What I recommend instead: just circle Wienerberg itself. It’s a pleasant walk around the pond, after which you can hop on the Badner Bahn to Vösendorf and back.

The only highlight of this hike for me was the amazing swings at the end of Vösendorf – and they’re the only part I’d happily revisit.

Rundumadum

This route makes a full circle around Vienna. By completing the hiking trails you have done quite a lot of it already. Stamps for the Rundumadum are found at some of the regular stamp points and are easy to collect.

What about you – what’s your experience with the Vienna hiking trails? Have you ever tried any of them?