Hiking in Vienna: Vienna City Hiking Paths Part 1

Vienna is great for hiking tours. The city might not look like much of a paradise for hikers at first glance, but this is a misconception. There are numerous hiking paths in and around the city that let you explore either the streets or surrounding woods. Vienna’s City Hiking Paths are also excellent for outdoor activity in the autumn!

The 12 well-marked hiking paths lead through and around Vienna and are easy to reach by public transport. Very ambitious ramblers can also get a booklet for stamps that record all their finished trails. The reward for this is a special hiking pin in silver (three stamps), gold (seven stamps) or platinum (all the stamps), depending on the number of ink marks collected in your booklet. Here, we have summarized the first four of the city’s 12 hiking paths. Let’s get started with the ones in the east of Vienna!

City Hiking Path 1: Kahlenberg

With an altitude of 484 meters, the Kahlenberg is more a hill than a mountain for trained hikers. However, once you have made your way up, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views.The first hiking path starts at the last stop of tram line D in Nussdorf, to which you will return after a three-and-a-half to four-hour walk. If you start your journey from Hotel Schani Wien, you can take the tram from the stop in front the hotel and enjoy a comfortable ride to your destination.

The 11-kilometer trail has a moderate incline and leads you through romantic vineyards and shady forests to the top of the Kahlenberg.Your ascent will be rewarded with spectacular views of Vienna and maybe the odd “spritzer” at one of the many wine taverns along the way. We recommend the Wailand winery for refreshments. They even have a vegan cold platter or “Brettljause” on their menu. To get the first stamp in your booklet and some hearty traditional food, you need to visit the Hut called Josefinenhütte.

City Hiking Path 1a: Leopoldsberg

An alternative to the popular City Hiking Path 1 is City Hiking Path 1a to the Leopoldsberg. This trail also starts in Nussdorf and runs 11 kilometers via Kahlenberg village, the riverside Donaustrandpromenade and rather steep Nasenweg. Once you have arrived on top of the Leopoldsberg, you can enjoy the beautiful view and visit Leopoldsberg Castle.

Your next stop awaits you on the Kahlenberg – hill-hopping, so to speak! On your way there, you can get the second stamp for your booklet at the Josefinenhütte. We also recommend the odd glass of wine on your way, for your physical and spiritual revitalization. If you’re lucky, you might even find an empty table at the very popular Mayer am Nussberg. You’ll return to your starting point after about four hours.

City Hiking Path 2: Hermannskogel

You’ll fly high if you decide to follow City Hiking Path 2. The 10-kilometer trail starts in Sievering at the last stop of the 39 bus and will take about three to four hours. The path leads up the Hermannskogel, the highest point in Vienna. This is also where you’ll find the Habsburgwarte: a 27-meter high, medieval keep that is open to the public on weekends and offers great panoramic views of Vienna and beyond.

To get your stamp and some refreshments, you can visit the restaurant Zum Agnesbrünnl. The way back leads over the Cobenzl and Am Himmel. Once you’ve arrived at the meadow Am Himmel, you should look up because autumn is the time when you’ll see many colorful kites in all shapes and sizes flying in the sky above you. 

City Hiking Path 3: Hameau

The third trail starts at the terminus of tram line 43 in Neuwaldegg. The route takes you 11 kilometers through the Vienna Woods up the so-called Hameau, a 464-meter-high hill in Vienna’s 17th District. A peaceful, idyllic hike through one of Vienna’s most picturesque landscapes. Regional delicacies and a stamp for your booklet can be found at the Häuserl am Roan. You’ll return to your starting point after three to four hours. 

City Hiking Path 4: Jubiläumswarte

The start of City Hiking Path 4 is at the tram stop of line 49 at Rettichgasse in Hütteldorf. The circular route is around 7 kilometers long and takes about two-and-a-half to three hours, which makes it one of the shorter Viennese trails. The walk leads through Dehnepark and up the Jubiläumswarte on the Wilheminenberg.

Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view. From the observation deck of the Jubiläumswarte, you can even see the Schneeberg mountain on a clear day. The stamp for your booklet can be obtained at Waldschule Ottakring, right next to the Jubiläumswarte. A well-earned Schnitzel and refreshing drink are served at Schutzhaus Rosental.

Photos: ©Wien Tourismus/Julius Hirtzberger, Matthias Merth/www.himmel.at, Aaron Burden/Unsplash, Arno Senoner/Unsplash