Laaben: Hiking Trails, Forest and Views

Explore Laaben on hikes with a range of scenic highlights: beech forests, orchards, old sunken lanes and viewpoints give each trail its own character. Historic destinations are part of the mix, too – from Türkenstein, associated with the events of 1683, to Matraswarte, built in 1898. This lets you combine nature and history when choosing your outings.

Hiking trails through beech forests and orchards

The Kleiner Laaben circular hiking trail starts at Laaben’s main square. It leads through beech forests and orchards, offers scenic views and follows a small stream. The route thus brings together several landscape features rather than focusing on the forest alone. If you enjoy taking in a variety of scenery on a hike, you’ll find forest, meadows and water along the way.

The circular trail via Pyrath and Brand offers a different combination: it also passes through beech forests, but here old sunken lanes are part of the route. On the way back, the trail follows a small stream to Laaben. This comparison can help you choose based on your interests: orchards and scenic views characterise the Kleiner Laaben circular hiking trail, while the old sunken lanes and the return along the stream are defining features of the Pyrath and Brand route.

Türkenstein, forest and views

The Großer Türkenstein circular trail starts at the Gasthof zur Glashütte in Laaben and leads to Türkenstein, which is associated with the events of 1683. The woodland along this route is also varied, with alder, oak, maple, spruce and beech forests as well as mixed forests. If you’re looking for a hike that combines a historic destination with different types of woodland, this route is another option alongside trails featuring orchards or sunken lanes.

Another highlight is the Franz-Edurard-Matraswarte, built in 1898. From Matraswarte on the summit, you can look out over the elevations of the Waldviertel, the Ötscher, the Schneeberg and the Danube Valley. The views mentioned thus extend from the elevations of the Waldviertel to the Danube Valley. If scenic views and getting your bearings in the landscape are a priority on your outing, you can consider this viewpoint.

Schöpfl offers a different focus: it can be climbed from Laaben in about two hours. Schöpfl is the highest mountain in the Vienna Woods in Lower Austria. The Schöpfl-Schutzhaus, a mountain refuge belonging to the ÖTK (Austrian Tourist Club), is located on the mountain. The approximately two-hour ascent differs in character from the circular trails described above; which outing suits your plans better depends on whether you prefer a loop or the climb up Schöpfl.

Getting there and holiday apartments in Laaben

For the circular trail via Pyrath and Brand, the stated way to get there is by ÖBB bus to the Laaben Hauptplatz stop. For the Großer Türkenstein circular trail, the listed option is to take an ÖBB bus to Laaben/Klamm and get off at the Glashütte stop; the trail starts at the Gasthof zur Glashütte. Parking is available at Laaben municipal office for the Elsbeerweg Laaben. Check the bus timetable before planning if you intend to use these services.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Laaben, the different outings and their starting points can provide a practical guide. First consider which activities you’d like to focus on: the loop starting at the main square, the route to Türkenstein, the Elsbeerweg or the approximately two-hour climb up Schöpfl.

Discover more destinations: Unterdambach, Brunnrotte, Viehofen, Neidling, Herzogenburg, Wald, Unterwölbling, Stössing

See the full travel guide: Sankt Pölten.