Discover Rastenfeld: Reservoir, Culture and Trails

Rastenfeld combines the wooded shores of Ottenstein Reservoir with remarkable churches, historic sites and a variety of excursion destinations. If you would like to combine nature, culture and activity on your trip, the town offers several different points of interest: walks by the water, a cycling route starting and ending in Rastenfeld, Rococo art, and insights into energy and garden projects.

Water, Forests and Trails Around Rastenfeld

The wooded shores of Ottenstein Reservoir are ideal for hiking and walking. One particularly practical option is the short version of the “Nature, Energy, Power” hiking trail no. 80. It leads from the information centre by the Ottenstein Reservoir car park for approximately 4 kilometres along the reservoir to the market square in Rastenfeld, passing the natural bathing spots at the reservoir along the way. Take the approximate route length into account when planning your day if you want to include this trail in your trip.

Cyclists also have a clearly defined starting point: the Kampseen “Volt” cycling route starts in Rastenfeld and ends there again. If you would rather experience the reservoir from the water, pedal boats, rowing boats and electric boats can be rented from the beginning of May to the end of September. This allows you to set different priorities for individual days of your trip without limiting your plans to a single activity.

Church Art and Historic Buildings

The parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary preserves surviving parts of a Romanesque predecessor building. They show that a church already existed in Rastenfeld in the 12th century. The church also contains the Rococo altarpieces “Assumption of the Virgin Mary” and “The Apostles at the Empty Tomb”, created in 1757 by the Viennese painter Maulpertsch. For visitors interested in culture, this site combines a historic connection to the town’s history with expressive sacred art.

Despite having been rebuilt several times, Rastenberg Castle has retained its medieval character and is considered one of Lower Austria’s most significant Romanesque architectural monuments. For planning purposes, it is important to note that the castle is privately owned and that guided tours and visits are not possible. Ottenstein Castle has a Romanesque castle chapel with frescoes that are now considered among the most significant frescoes in Austria. The castle also contains a Popes’ Room with 241 portraits of popes – from Peter to Innocent XI.

Gardens, Energy and Regional Discoveries

The 4/4 Landscape Garden and the Ökokreis arboretum are free of charge and accessible at any time. Every year, the Ökokreis show gardens include 18 new, naturally designed gardens, each covering an area of 20 m². The farm shop offers vegetable, fruit and herb products made from heritage varieties. During your stay, you can therefore discover not only the landscape and architectural heritage but also the region’s gardening traditions and diversity of varieties.

During the Lower Austrian summer holidays, free tours for individuals take place every Thursday at the Ottenstein pumped-storage power plant; advance registration is not required. The 4-Viertel Tree is a 5.60-metre-high oakwood sculpture. Its rising, intertwined wooden strands symbolise the four quarters of Lower Austria. Another historical trace is marked by the “Sheep Pasture Dispute, no. 81” trail: its name dates back to peasant uprisings at the beginning of the 19th century, when disputes over sheep pasture were among the recurring causes of unrest.

Choose the Right Holiday Apartment Based on Your Travel Interests

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Rastenfeld, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your trip. If you mainly want to walk, swim or go boating at the reservoir, plan around the seasonal offerings available from the beginning of May to the end of September. For a culturally focused trip, the parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Rastenberg Castle and Ottenstein Castle are the main attractions; you should take the limited visiting options at Rastenberg Castle into account. Garden enthusiasts will find a dedicated area of interest in the Ökokreis, the arboretum and the show gardens.

Rastenfeld is directly accessible via Federal Road 37. The routes starting or ending in the town, the water-based activities at the reservoir and the various cultural and garden attractions give you several options for planning your days. The type and location of accommodation that suit you therefore depend mainly on whether you want to focus your trip more on nature, water, culture or a combination of these interests.

More Destinations at a Glance

If you would like to broaden your search, the overview also includes Neuweidling, Stratzing, Lengenfeld, Rohrendorf Bei Krems, Krustetten, Oberarnsdorf, Gedersdorf and Mitterarnsdorf.

To the higher-level travel overview: Krems-Land.